996 Rural School Leaflet 



Planting. — The time of planting given in the planting-table must be 

 used with common sense and varied so as to suit the conditions of weather 

 and other local factors. It will serve merely as a guide. The young 

 gardener should ask advice of a successful grower of vegetables in his 

 neighborhood. 



In planting seed, the rows in the garden should correspond to the rows 

 as planned on the paper. Measurements from the nearest stakes at 

 both ends of the rows should be taken. A garden line or some other 

 means should be used for keeping the rows straight. 



The table given on page iooi will serve as a guide in planting the seed 

 but no one can be taught gardening from a printed page. Consult your 

 parents, your teacher, or your district superintendent. 



A furrow should be opened to the required depth with a hoe, which, 

 as stated above, should be guided by a line or mark. The seed should be 

 spread along the bottom of this furrow, and then dirt should be filled in 

 over the seed and pressed down by walking on it. 



If there is a planting-machine on the farm, such as a Planet Jr., Iron 

 Age, Columbia, or the like, it may be used in planting. 



Transplanting. — If tomatoes or other plants are raised in a hotbed, 

 cold-frame, or seed bed, they should be removed with the largest amount 

 of root surface possible and placed in the garden in the straight row 

 planned for them, at the proper distance apart, in the following manner: 

 With a trowel dig a hole larger than the plant roots need, fine the earth, 

 set the roots of the plant in this fine earth slightly deeper than they grew, 

 cover them with dirt, press hard, fill in more dirt, pressing now and 

 then, until the level of the soil is reached. The plant will then be 

 transplanted in such a way that it will have the best opportunity to grow. 



Thinning. — If the plants come up too thickly they should be thinned 

 according to directions given in the table under the heading " Distance 

 apart of plants in row." This is necessary in order to give the remaining 

 plants the space that they require for the best growth. 



Cultivating. — Two things are necessary for good cultivation — keep them 

 in mind: first, absence of weeds; second, the surface soil loose at all times. 

 These conditions can easily be maintained by means of the hand, the hoe, 

 and the rake. Pull out the weeds, hoe around the plants, rake after hoeing. 



1 1 'atering. — If the season is exceptionally dry, water may be necessary 

 for success in obtaining good growth. Hose, watering-can, or pails can 

 be used. However, good culture from the beginning is the most impor- 

 tant factor in maintaining a water supply. 



Insects and diseases. — Insects can be controlled somewhat by hand- 

 picking them when seen. Diseases can be controlled to some extent by 

 keeping the plants in a thrifty, constantly growing condition, by giving good 

 culture, by watering, and by adding manure dissolved in water, much diluted 



