June 22, 1918 



H O K T I C U L T U R E 



601 



V 



EGETABLE 



C 



CONDUCTED BY 



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 shoDld Inyariably be ad- 

 dressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



Asparagus 



Tlie cutting oi' asimragiLs >hoiild iiow cease except in 

 districts far north. It is important to remember that 

 the plant nui.'^t he allowed to ltiow untouched a sufficient 

 length of time to develop strength for next year's crop. 

 Manure water or a die.ssing of fertilizer well watered in 

 will promote a healtliy vigorous growth. Give the 

 plants the support they need to protect them against 

 injury from high winds. 



Lettuce 



Frames which have carried early vegetables as cauli- 

 flower, beans, carrots, beets, etc., may now be planted to 

 lettuce for use during the heat of July and August. 

 The black seeded varieties of lettuce generally with- 

 stand the heat of summei- better than the white seeded 

 kinds. Make a sowing of Romaine or Cos lettuce in a 

 shallow trench piepared as for celery and when ready to 

 handle- thin the seedhngs so that they stand one foot 

 apart in the row. If well supplied with moisture at the 

 roots those plants will furnish fine heads at a time when 

 round lettuce are scarce. 



Chicken Manure 



Chicken manure makes a splendid stimulant for 

 many vegetable crops when carefully used. It works 

 wonders when applied to sweet corn and onions but 

 should be given in frequent light doses. For applying 

 to crops in a liquid form chicken manure is valuable 

 although we prefer using it in a dry state; mixed with 

 a quantity of very dry soil distribution is simplified. 

 Sprinkle a little of it between the onion rows and lightly 

 work it into the surface soil and then follow with a 

 thorough drenching of water. 



Cut Worms 



Cut worms and slugs are often very troublesome 

 among young vegetables. A dusting of either soot or 

 lime will lessen injury by slugs but a poison bait is the 

 only effectual means of fighting the ravages of the cut 

 worm. Mix an ounce of paris green with one pound 

 of bran. Stir four ounces of molasses into one and a 

 half pints of water and then mix all thoroughly together 

 to form a ma.«h. A pinch of grated lemon or orange 

 peel may be added to render the mash more palatable to 

 the pests. Scatter this [loisoned bait in sections of 

 garden most affected with cut worms. 

 Mulching 



Artificial watering is sometimes impossible and 

 where this condition exists it is advisable to mulch 

 crops of heavy top growth like peas and cauliflower. 

 Indeed the conservation of soil moisture by this means 

 is often proihictive of far lietter results than constant 



watering. If the mulch contains considerable manure 

 so much the better as subsequent leaching after heavy 

 liiins will be of much value to the crops. 

 Thinning Out 

 ■j'hin sweet corn to three plants to each hill or if 

 phinfed in rows, allow eighteen inches from plant to 

 plant, liemove suckers or basal growths, give a dress- 

 ing of fertilizer and cultivate frequently. Thin out 

 previous sowings that need it as carrots, salsify, tur- 

 nips, parsnips, kohbrabi and parsley. 



Cutting Cauliflower 



Caiilirtower approaching edible size should be either 

 tied or otherwise have a few of the outer leaves broken 

 over them to protect the heads. As soon as the heads 

 attain a reasonable size they should be cut. It is sheer 

 waste to allow good compact heads to break before cut- 

 ting. ;Medium"sized, close white specimens are of the 

 best table (piality and it should be the aim of every 

 gardener to supply abundance of cauhflower for con- 

 sumption in this 'condition. Immediately such early 

 crojjs as spinach, beets, etc., cease to be profitable 

 clear the ground or else dig or plow them under and 

 give the ground over to some fall crop as sweet corn, 

 beans, late celery or winter greens. Spray potatoes, 

 melons and tomatoes with bordeaux to prevent blight 

 and other fungoid diseases. 



Feeding Tomatoes 



Tomatoes will stand feeding after the crop is "set," 

 i,ut this is not a necessity unless planted on very poor 

 soil. Too much feeding results in rampant leafage 

 rather than fruitfulness. Keep the growths regulated 

 so that each plant carries not more than three stems. 

 .V few leaves may lie removed to expose the fruit to sun 

 and air but this" practice is often carried to excess and 

 may result in more harm than good. 



Cucumbers in Frames 



Cucumbers growing in frames and which arc now 

 commencing to bear will be all the better for a top 

 dressing of fairly light rich soil. Ordinary potting soil, 

 to which has been added considerable well decayed barn- 

 yard manure, is ideal. Cucumbers are hungry as well 

 as thirsty plants, therefore maintain abundance of 

 moisture in the atmosphere and at the root's and regu- 

 late growth to keep the plants clean and healthy. There 

 is yet time to make a sowing of the smaller kinds for 

 picklins. Select a warm, rich plot of ground and sow 

 either hi hills 4 feet asunder or in rows. I>eave four 

 strong plants to each hill and if in single rows, thin out 

 to about eighteen inclies ajiart. 



