July 6, 1918 



H O U T i C U L T U R E 



V 



EGETABLE 



C 



ULTURE 



Questions by our readers in line with any of the topics presented 

 on this page will be cordially received and promptly answered 

 by Mr. Johnson. Such communications should invariably be ad- 

 dressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



CONDLCTEK BY 



Turnips 



Make another small sowing ol: au approved variety for 

 fall use. Although this crop may be considered not 

 highly important, if grown at all turnips should be well 

 grown. Sow the seed in drills 15 inches apart on 

 ground in a good state of cultivation. While it is true 

 that rea,souably good results are obtainable without the 

 aid of fertilizer in ordinary garden soil, a stimulant at 

 this season may be applied with advantage. If the 

 plants must combat the ravages of insect pests which 

 are particularly jirevalent at this season, they must be 

 Mell supplied with both food and moisture in the early 

 stages of growth. Thin the seed rows as soon as the 

 plants can be handled allowing at least six inches be- 

 tween the plants. Rutabagas may be sown from now 

 until the middle of the month. These are hardier and 

 of better keeping quality than the ordinary garden tur- 

 iiiii. A good breadth of these may be sown, as any that 

 cannot be harvested for winter use may be.ld't in the 

 ground and will furnish early wholesome greens next 

 spring. 



Aphis 



Aphides in various forms attack nearly every garden 

 Clop and on account of their wonderful power of repro- 

 duction a great amount of damage is often wrought 

 among vegetable crops during dry weather. All mem- 

 bers of the cruciferous family, turnips, cabbage, etc., are 

 very susceptible to an attack of blue aphis at this time 

 of year. Good culture is the most effectual weapon 

 against aphis and for this reason we advocate a sprink- 

 ling of fertilizer in the turnip drills Crops that grow 

 vigorously from the start are rarely trouljled to any 

 great extent by tlie pest. Water applied forcilily from 

 the hose is a simple way of getting rid of aphis but 

 when the hose is out of the cjuestion the grower should 

 have recourse to one of the many available insecticides. 

 A cheap and effective remedy will be found in kerosene 

 emulsion made in the following way : Dissolve 1 pint 

 of soft soap in 1 gallon of lioiling water and while still 

 boiling, add 1 quart of kerosene. The mixture should 

 be thoroughly agitated until a creamy solution results. 

 Dilute to sixteen gallons' with warm 'water for spraying 

 purposes. The soft soap makes the spray adhesive, the 

 kerosene kills the a])his. Any quantity can be made 

 but the proportion of one winegiassful, or two fluid ozs. 

 of kerosene in a gallon of water should not be exceeded. 



Late Sowings 



Sweet corn, globe beets, half-long carrots, string 

 beans and various salading plants as lettuce, endive, 

 mustard and cress, and radishes should be kept in suc- 

 cession. Indeed, the final sowings of some of the above 

 mentioned kinds must now be made. Employ early 

 maturing varieties of sweet corn as Mayflower or Peep 

 O'Day. A full sowing of round beets should be made 

 within the next two weeks to give good roots for winter 

 use. Endive should be accorded culture similar to let- 

 tuce. Before being sent to the table, however, endive 

 should be well blanched. Blanching not only enhances 

 its appearance but reduces the bitterness of this plant. 

 Loosely tie the outer leaves so that the center will be 

 covered but allow sufficient room for the young leaves to 

 develop. Another method sometimes practiced is that 

 of placing an inverted flower pot over each plant. On 

 the other hand, the plants may be lifted when severe 

 frosts set in and stored in a cellar or outhouse and with 

 the exclusion of light lilanching will be effected. 



Melons - 



Outdoor melons will need careful watching from now 

 on. See that the fruits are lifted off the ground and 

 placed on clean pieces of wood or inverted pots. Spray 

 the plants altout every ten days with Bordeaux to pre- 

 vent blight and cultivate the ground about the plants to 

 keep down weeds and maintain good tilth. Weak liquid 

 manure should be given just after the fruit has "set," 

 or a dressing of fertilizer well watered in will answer 

 equally well. ISTever apply stimulants to melons or any 

 other "plants that are suffering for want of water. Water 

 first and a few hours later apply the stimulant if needed. 



Strawberry Bed 



Strawberries which have finished the season of fruit- 

 ing should be cleared of weeds and runners not other- 

 wise required for future use. Every encouragement 

 should be given rnnners intended for pot culture or for 

 making new plantations. Keep them well supplied with 

 water and when well rooted transfer to a size larger pot 

 or else plant them out into permanent (piartcrs at the 

 first opportunity. Give the ground very liberal treat- 

 ment. 



>'Ibodi 



(€?*Food.^ 



