394 SEASONAL REMINDERS 



MAY 



Beans. The bush sorts may be planted in the open 

 ground, and Limas in pots or sods in a coldframe or spent 

 hotbed. They require a long season to mature, and should 

 be started early. 



Beets. Sow for a succession. Transplant those started 

 under glass. 



Cabbages always do best on a freshly -turned sod, and 

 should be set before the land has had time to dry after 

 plowing. The secret of success in getting a large yield 

 of cabbage is to start with rich land and put on all the 

 manure obtainable. Clean out the hog yard for this pur- 

 pose. 



Cucumbers. Sow in the open ground toward the last 

 of the month. A few may be started as advised for Lima 

 beans. 



Lettuce. Sow for a succession, and thin to four inches 

 in the rows. 



Melons. Plant in the open ground toward the end of 

 the month. It is useless to plant melons and other cucur- 

 bitaceous plants until settled weather has arrived. 



Onions. Finish planting and transplanting, and keep all 

 weeds down, both in the seed-bed and the open field. 



Peas. Sow for a succession. 



Squashes. Plant as advised for melons and cucumbers. 

 They require a rich, well-manured soil. 



Strawberries. Remove the blossoms from newly-set 

 plants. Mulch with salt or marsh hay or clean straw or 

 leaves those that are to bear. Mulching conserves mois- 

 ture, keeps the berries clean, and prevent weeds from 

 growing. 



Sweet com. Plant early and late varieties, and by 

 making two or three plantings of each, at intervals, a 

 succession may be kept up all summer and fall. Sweet 

 corn is delicious, and one can hardly have too much of it. 



Tomatoes. Set some early plants by the middle of the 

 month or earlier, if the ground is warm and the season 

 early and fair. They may be protected from the cold by 

 covering with hay, straw, cloth or paper, or even with 

 earth. The main crop should not be set until the 20th 

 or 25th, or until all danger of frost is over. However, 

 tomatoes will stand more chilly weather than is ordinarily 

 supposed. 



