MARCH AND APRIL IN THE SOUTH 405 



ous, and in order to get a stand of plants it is neeessay 

 to go through the patch early every morning and sprinkle 

 all the hills with air -slaked lime. 



Eggplants. Toward the end of the month the plants 

 growing in frames can be transplanted to their fruiting 

 quarters. Seed can be sown outside after March 15; 

 sooner if a warm and sheltered spot is selected. 



Lettuce. Sow in drills, and when the plants are large 

 enough thin to a foot apart. If transplanted at this sea- 

 son they often go to seed. 



OJc-ra. A sowing can be made now, but the main plant- 

 ing had best be deferred until after March 15. Sow in 

 drills three feet apart and thin the plants to eighteen 

 inches apart in the drills. 



Peas. Early varieties may be sown; it is now too late 

 to sow tall -growing kinds. 



Peppers. Treat as advised for eggplants. 



Potatoes, Irish. It is not too late to plant them, but 

 the sooner they are planted the better. The crop planted 

 in February should be harrowed as soon as the shoots 

 begin to come up, and when the rows can be fairly seen 

 the cultivator must be set to work to keep down weeds 

 and grass. 



Potatoes, sweet. If slips or vines are at hand they may 

 be planted late in the month for the earliest tubers. The 

 whole potatoes may be planted on a ridge to yield vines 

 for later planting. 



Squashes. Plant seed in hills six feet apart. The di- 

 rections for planting melons can be followed. The same 

 remarks apply to pumpkins and other vegetables of this 

 kind. 



Tomatoes. About March 15 the frame plants can go to 

 their fruiting quarters. It is necessary to use some judg- 

 ment in this matter, as they may be killed or injured by 

 an April frost. Seed may be sown in the open ground 

 for plants for late fruiting. Set the plants four feet 

 apart each way. 



Strawberries. The mulching of beds or rows should be 

 no longer delayed, if clean and plentiful fruit is wanted. 



APRIL 



Alternantheras should go out now. 



Annuals of all kinds can still be sown where they are to 

 flower, as they transplant with difficulty at this season. 



