434 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



GEO. H. PRESCOTT, ALBERT LEA. 



The first product of my g^arden is asparagus. There seems to be 

 two ways of cutting- it: first, as soon as it appears above ground, dig 

 down a few inches and cut it off about four inches long — it is white, 

 and some prefer it that way; second, let it grow about four inches 

 high and cut even with the ground— I think it best this way. 



We are advised to spread manure on in the fall, but I think it best 

 to put a dressing of manure on as soon as done cutting and work it 

 in two or three times until the growth gets high enough to shade 

 the g-round. By so doing, it will thaw out earlier in the spring, and 

 you can cut it earlier. The first asparagus brings the money, and 

 that is what we are after. 



In the meantime, a few rows of beets and spinach should be 

 planted for greens. Sow thickly in rows eighteen inches apart, and 

 when large enough thin out bj^ taking a handful and leaving about 

 half as much in the row; and so continue to the end. Afterwards 

 thin out to one plant. They will be about four inches apart and 

 should be left until large enough to cook. Sow as early as possible, 

 as frost does not injure inuch. Sow every ten days until Fourth of 



July- 

 Peas and onion sets should be planted as soon as the ground can 

 be worked, also lettuce, as they will stand quite a heavy frost. Plant 

 peas in rows quite thick, eighteen inches apart for Little Gem, which 

 I consider the best for all pvirposes. Sow every ten days until the 

 middle of July. 



Plant onion sets one inch apart in the row, and rows twelve inches 

 apart. I use any kind of small onions I have on hand. Pull out the 

 largest for table use, until thinned to three or four inches apart in 

 the row, which are left for cooking. Sow lettuce in rows one foot 

 apart quite thick and thin out for use, leaving- some for heading- 

 later on. 



Sweet Corn. The Early Minnesota, with white cob, is as good as 

 any. A row or two should be risked quite early, and if killed by 

 frost the second planting ten days later will be all right. It should 

 be planted every ten days until the middle of July — fresh, soft, sweet 

 corn is in demand until killed by frost. Plant in rows three feet 

 apart, one kernel in a hill, one foot apart in the row. 



We inust not forget our potatoes, if they are only ten cents a 

 bushel now. Go into the cellar and take some with sprouts on, and 

 be careful and not break or bruise the sprouts. Cut to one or two 

 eyes, and plant in rows three feet apart and six inches apart in the 

 row for Early Rose or Beauty of Hebron. If the frost cuts the tops 

 a little, they will come out all right. 



In former years I used to transplant my tomato and cabbage 

 plants two or three times to give them a good root and make them 

 stocky. I now let them grow in the hotbed until a foot high — to. 

 matoes in blossom sometimes. In setting out I use a garden fork. 

 Put it in the ground quite slanting, lifting the ground up enough 

 to put the plant half the length of it in the ground, drop the dirt on 

 it and press with the foot. Water if necessary. They seldom wilt 

 when planted this way and develop a stronger root. 



