326 PLANTING LIST 



Sow thinly, or the work of thinning will be considerable. Thin 

 when the plants are well up, the small varieties to three inches, the 

 larger to six. Cultivate carefully when young, for the foliage is 

 very delicate and is easily buried. Sow again for succession at in- 

 tervals of three weeks, until late June. 



Castor Bean, or Castor-oil Plant (Ricinus) : Grows from four 

 to more than six feet tall, with large red or bronze leaves, and is 

 used as a handsome background for beds, or for a screen in summer. 

 It is tender, and must be started under glass in March or April, or 

 planted outdoors in late May. It likes a rich and moist soil, a sunny 

 situation, and good culture. Set the plants from eighteen inches 

 to three feet apart, according to their variety. 



Catnip : A hardy perennial herb ; its leaves are used in seasoning, 

 or to give to cats. Sow in May. Distances, eighteen inches by six. 



Cauliflower : A plant of the cabbage family, very widely grown. 

 In hot, dry. situations it does not do well, but with a fair amount 

 of moisture it will grow in most gardens. It comes in dwarf (early) 

 and large (late) kinds, and its distances should accordingly be 15 

 or 24 inches. Get the very best seed. It is treated in many ways 

 like cabbage : sow in a frame or seed bed in April and May ; keep 

 it under cheesecloth if possible, wherever the maggot is troublesome ; 

 thin to three inches apart ; set out when six inches tall or more, 

 with collars against cutworms; watch for the cabbage butterfly, 

 and the first appearance of the worms ; burn all diseased leaves. 



When the plant is ready to flower it makes its head at the very 

 center of the plant. From this time on examine carefully for worms. 

 Either pick them by hand, or poison them, before the appearance 

 of the blossom. When the flower begins to push aside the large 

 leaves, so that it is exposed to the sun, tie the leaves over it with 

 string or raffia, to keep it shaded. But occasionally open the leaves, 

 to make sure that no worms have entered. Cut the head while it 

 is still firm and close ; if left too long, it will begin to spread out. 



Celery : A vegetable delicacy, not easily raised by young garden- 

 ers, but always worth the raising. Earliest varieties are the self- 



