72 THREE ACRES AND LIBERTY 



than that they should be planted thinly or thickly, for if 

 they are planted too thin, it makes a sort of advantage by 

 giving the individual plants ample room to develop to large 

 size ; and if planted too thick, the evil can easily be remedied 

 by thinning or transplanting. 



After the seeds come up, the size of almost all the vege- 

 tables can be increased by transplanting, in favorable soil, 

 which gives each plant room for complete development. 



It is too expensive to risk part of the land being unused 

 or half used on account of seeds dying, or to put in so many 

 seeds in order to insure growth that they will crowd one 

 another. Where possible, therefore, seeds should be sprouted 

 and planted, not "sown." 



Luna beans planted on edge with eye down will come up 

 much sooner than if dropped in carelessly so they have to 

 turn themselves over. In a small garden the time saved 

 by such planting will repay the extra trouble. 



In some things like onions and radishes, however, it is 

 better to sow them thick, and then thin them out, so as to 

 get the effect of transplanting without so much labor. In 

 others, like lettuce and all the salad plants, transplanting 

 gives new life and energy and develops the individual plants 

 in a way that will astonish those not familiar with what 

 free development means. 



It is wise to plant corn after lettuce and radishes are 

 gathered, and more lettuce, corn, or salad, after the beans 

 are picked. Then late crops, cabbage, cauliflower, or spinach, 

 can go where early corn grew, so that the small patch may 

 earn your living and pay big dividends. 



Do not let two vegetables of the same botanical family 

 follow each other. For instance, lima beans should not fol- 

 low green beans or peas, as all the family draw about the same 



