May 18, 191S 



HO RTICULTURE 



481 



Vegetable Culture 



QueBtloDB 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 HOKTICULTURE. 



TlieSplritof '18. 



Asparagus 



Asparagus is now in full bearing and must be cut 

 systematically if the beds are to be kept in good shape. 

 It is a great mistake to cut only the strongest heads 

 leaving the thin spindly growths to develop haphazardly 

 and thus exhaust the crowns. More asparagus beds are 

 ruined by exhaustion than from all other causes put 

 together, but the greatest danger 

 in this respect is due to cutting too 

 late in the season. Established 

 beds in a healthy condition may 

 be cut until about the middle of 

 June as a general rule, but new 

 plantations even though the crowns 

 are vigorous should be allowed to 

 grow untouched the first season. 

 Most gardeners cease cutting when 

 the first peas turn in, and this is 

 a safe and commendable practice. 

 Wlien the top growth is allowed 

 rirn, support should be given to 

 protect the plants against high 

 winds. Fasten heavy twine to 

 stout stakes driven in the ground 

 at intervals of 20 ft. or so. and 

 string it along either side of the 

 row. This is a simple yet efficient 

 way of giving what little support 

 is necessary. Water the beds in 

 dry weather and if an occasional 

 dressing of fertilizer or of liquid 

 manure can be afforded so much the better. 

 Potatoes 



Cultivate frequently between the rows to destroy 

 weeds and maintain good tilth. Draw a little soil up 

 around the plants when they are four or five inches 

 high and keep a sharp lookout for the potato bug. 

 Arsenate of lead solution is the most effective remedy 



use Bordeaux mixture, 

 easily remembered. 



?SfeV&rldCrx- 



*; £bod! 



Cultivate theS oil 



for all chewing insects. This may be easily obtained in 

 |)aste form together with full directions for using. 

 Against, potato bhght and other fungoid diseases 



The standard formula 5.5.50 

 Dissolve 5 lbs. of copper 

 sulphate by placing it in a sack of coarse 

 cloth suspended over night in a wooden vessel con- 

 taining 30 gals, of water. Slake 

 5 lbs. of quick Ume until the Ume 

 crumbles to powder, than add 

 water in greater quantity until a 

 milk is produced. When cold and 

 not before, add the lime water to 

 the copper sulphate solution, using 

 a strainer to remove gritty par- 

 ticles, and stirring violently dur- 

 ing the process of mixing. Water 

 should then be added u]) to 50 

 gallons and when properly made 

 the solution should be a blue color. 

 Bordeaux should be made afresh 

 as required for use. 



String Beans 

 String .beans should now l)e 

 planted in quantity. This crop is 

 seldom allowed the amount of 

 growing space it requires. Set 

 the lines 3 feet apart from center 

 to center. We open shallow drills 



on either side of the line and 



drop the seeds alternately in 

 double rows. ()\ cixniwding is a fault and when sown too 

 thickly the plants slmuld be thinned out early that they 

 stand G inches apart in the rows. For the maintenance 

 of a constant supply during the summer, sow every two 

 weeks from now until the end of July. The pods should 

 he picked before full size is attained as the plants are 

 soon exhausted if allowed to carry pods to matui-ity. 



Speed Up the Keynote 



tliem. 



lloing business wiibuut :i(l\ci-iising is like winking Send \(iiir contriliiitinns to dobn Young. 1170 Bi'oad- 



at a girl in flie dark : you know what you iire doing but »ay. New Vurk, and let several million people know that 

 iiobodv else doe-i flowers are ii eominodity to be bad, and that we have 



Yon are in tlie greatest business in the world, and 

 ftiiy not let the public know it? ,1,,,. ^.j^^ the largest linns wa.ste so much money. To 



Here is the oppoi-tiinity tn start things moving by wbich class do you belong? 

 keeping up our Niitiimal Publicity Campaign. Or, are 

 yon going to let it lag for want of contributions? 



Do you want to be like the fellow winking in the dark, 

 or do you want t<i keep vour employees busy? Cliairman Xati()n;il Publicity Campaijiii. 



'lie nieii wild never s|)en(l a dollar to advertise won- 



lo you neiong.' 



