THE FARM GARDEN 197 



away when frost is past. The cucumber beetle and 

 the ** stink bug** are the chief enemies of these 

 plants. Ashes, lime, and tobacco dust are used to 

 drive them away. Muskmelons grow in warm, 

 sandy land. Soil and location affect them greatly. 



Onions. Onions are grown from seed or sets in 

 the open ground or in hotbeds. If sown outside, the 

 seed should be put in as early as possible in shallow 

 rows three feet apart and covered with a half-inch 

 of fine, moist earth. They must be carefully weeded. 



Tomatoes. Tomatoes grew first in the South, so 

 they need long seasons to ripen. Now, by selecting 

 the right variety, the tomato can be grown in nearly 

 every section of the United States. The plant may 

 be started under glass or in window boxes about 

 March first. They should be put in a cold frame 

 where light and air are admitted on sunny days, 

 until the ground in the garden is warm. Toma- 

 to plants are set from two to four feet apart. 

 They need moderate pruning and some simple means 

 of holding the plant off the ground when the fruit 

 is ripe. The varieties differ in color from pink and 

 creamy and bright yellows to bright red. 



Grapes. In order that grapes may ripen, they 

 need a warm soil and a sunny exposure. A trellis 

 is used for support. Ten feet between the vines is 

 best for most kinds. The Concord grape is raised 

 in New York and Ohio ; the small Delaware, in Dela- 

 ware, Maryland, and New Jersey; but if we wish to 

 see great clusters of white grapes, we must go to 



