April 20. 1918 



HORTICULTUEE 



385 



V 





CONDUCTED BY 



EGETABLE V^ULTURE 



yuestious by our rc'icU'rs in line with any of tlie topics presented 

 on tills page will be curdially receiveil anil promptly answered 

 by Mr. Johnson. Such coiiiinunioatiuus sliould invariably be ad- 

 dressed to the office of UOKTICULTUKE. 



/,^^J)M*-''^' 



Potatoes 



The potato is midoulitedly pio-emineut among veg- 

 etables. It grows on diverse soils aud under extremely 

 variable conditions ol' climate which are reasons aul;- 

 ficient to warrant universal cultivation. To meet ordi- 

 nary demands planting operations may begin about the 

 third weelc in April and continue until June. While an 

 annual change of ground is recommended for this crop, 

 it often happens that this provision cannot be made and 

 the cultivator must therefore adopt ways and means of 

 securing the best results possible by careful and proper 

 treatment of the soil. In such cases a cover crop sown 

 at the time of harvesting the potatoes will not only 

 clarify the ground but will supply the soil with valuable 

 humus. The best results are obtainable on newly turned 

 grass land. It matters httle whether the ground is 

 plowed in tiie fall or spring' if liberally manured and 

 preferably with horse manure. Tliere is, however, al- 

 ways some waste to fall manuring as valuable properties 

 are lost through leaching during winter and early 

 spring. Some gowcrs, too, object to barnyard manun- 

 and claim that its employment on potato ground in- 

 duces scab disease. The use of rank animal manure 

 undoubtedly has a bad effect where the disease happens 

 to be already prevalent, and in such cases we do not 

 advise this form of enrichment. We also know that 

 ■'scab" is of a superficial nature and not to be dreaded 

 to any great extent, since it neither interferes with the 

 keeping or edible qualitv of the tubers. Where success- 

 si ve plantations are made on the same ground year after 

 year it is always advisable, if not absolutely impera- 

 tive, to annually plant seed from another source. All 

 seed .should be treated before 'planting. Small growers 

 may rub the tubers in flowers of sulphur, but a safer 

 remedy and a quicker method of treating large quan- 

 tities is to plunge the seed in a solution of commercial 

 formalin, 1 pint in 30 gallons of water. Allow them to 

 steep two hours and lav them out to dry prior to planting. 



Leeks 



There is probably no vegetable grown which will suf- 

 fer abuse and yet retain usefulness in being of the same 

 edible quality as the leek. Whether grown to a size no 

 thicker than one's finger or to the dimensions of those 

 fine specimens seen at the best horticultural shows, leeks 

 are always toothsome. For ordinary garden purposes a 

 sowing sliould be made now on a well prepared seed bed 

 either in frames or else in a sheltered position outdoors, 

 and be sub.sequently planted either on the level or in 

 trenches to be given similar treatment to celery. Many 

 cultivators pride themselves in producing specimens of 

 the largest size and in this case generous treatment be- 

 comes a necessity. These require a long season of 

 growth and must be started in heat early in the year. 

 Plants from these early sowiir.is are now ready for trans- 

 planting. Trenches should be opened a foot or more 

 deep and eighteen inches wide. Loosen the lx)ttom of 

 the trench with a spading fork and then place in it 6 

 inches of well decayed manure. Over the manure put 3 

 inches of the best top soil previously removed, at the 

 same time adding bone meal at the rate of 50 lbs. to 



every lUU feet of trcm/ii. Bone meal suits this crop 

 immensely. 



Choose fine weather for the planting operation 

 and if after planting cold winds become prevalent, 

 protection should be given to prevent injury. Planting 

 must be done firmly and with the least possible disturb- 

 ani-i' to the roots. Before planting shorten the leaves 

 a liltle but only a very little. Apply water to settle the 

 plants and give overhead sprayings in the evening of all 

 warm days. This overhead spray may be given through- 

 out the entire growing season. To obtain really fine 

 s])ecimens single rows are best and the plants should be 

 set at least a foot apart in the row. The blanching of 

 leeks begins from the time of planting. Every two or 

 three weeks a little soil should be carefully drawn up 

 under the lower leaves because if the plants are allowed 

 to become "set" before blanching commences no amount 

 of later earthing will produce the length of stem so 

 necessary. There are various methods of blanching as 

 indeed there are many ways of growing leeks, but for 

 fancy siiecimens nothing surpasses paper collars. These 

 are made of heavy white paper and are about six inches 

 ill depth. One should be placed over each plant and be 

 held in position by a slender stick on either side; the 

 soil is then drawn u]) and around the collars. For ex- 

 hiliition purposes, and when we mention this we imply 

 produce of the highest table quality — paper collars offer 

 one or two advantages. Not only do they prevent soil 

 from falling into the leaf axils but the grower is enabled 

 to produce a well-delined blanch which is important. 

 There is without doubt much diversity of opinion as to 

 what constitutes an ideal leek. The standard accepted 

 by the best authorities is — very briefly, a stem not more 

 than sixteen inches long, a well marked division be- 

 tween the blanch and green, straight stem free from 

 bulb, and what is always important in most vegetable 

 exhibits, uniformity, solidity and freedom from blemish. 

 As a crop for winter use the leek is highly important, it 

 withstands the severest weather without injury when 

 matured and therefore requires little or no provision for 

 storage. At the time of writing we are digging per- 

 fectly sound specimens which have wintered where 

 grown without protection. 



Sweet Com 



Sweet corn never comes to the table too early and 

 wlierever possible a small batch should now be started 

 in five or six inch pots with a view to later transplanting 

 in tlie o|)en. If ffreenhouse S])ace is availahle so much 

 the better but failing this the hot bed or cold frame will 

 greatly facilitate an early start. Melons, cucumbers, 

 lima beans and squash may be similarly dealt with. 

 Globe Artichokes 



Olobe artichokes raised either from suckers or seeds 

 if thoroughly hardened off in cold frames will now be 

 fit to plant. Unless this crop can be thoroughly well 

 grown it is better left alone. Even when well grown 

 globe artichokes occupy great space for the amount 

 yielded. Prepare the ground in advance by deep dig- 

 ging and heavy manuring. Plant three feet, apart each 

 way as soon as the weather is settled and in dry 

 weatherwater thorouuhlv and then mulch with lonsj litter. 





