WHEN TO SOW. 33 



up, for this has a tendency to pack the surface and 

 cause it to bake and prevent proper germinating of 

 the seed. After the plants are fairly above ground, 

 light waterings at evening may be given, but must 

 be avoided if possible. 



" I have not given these precautions for sowing 

 seed in September for wintering over, for the reason 

 that at that season of the year we are comparatively 

 free from insects and drouths," 



WHEX TO SOW. 



The time for sowing will depend of course on 

 the locality and variety. At the North, half early 

 varieties, intended for the fall crop, are usually 

 sown and set out about the same time as late cab- 

 bage. In Western Michigan, in latitude 43"^, I have 

 found that Early Paris sown about May 12, and 

 set out about the 20th of June, begins to head in 

 September, and forms its main crop in October, 

 about the time desired. In the latitude of New 

 York City the time for setting out the main crop 

 is from June 20 to the 1st of August. Plants set 

 as late as the 1st of August are intended to head 

 just before winter, and must be of the earliest varie- 

 ties. The large late varieties, like Autumn Giant, 

 if used at all, must be started early and set out not 

 later than the first of June, as they require the en- 

 tire season. 



Several kinds are often sown to form a succes- 



