508 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



Peas. — Sow the seeds as soon as the ground can be worked. They 

 will stand considerable cold and transplanting also. Time may be 

 gained by sowing some seeds in moist sand in a box in the cellar and 

 transplanting when well sprouted. Plant deep in light, dry soil ; cover 

 an inch at first, and draw in the earth as the vines grow. 



Potatoes. — Plant early on rich soil free from blight and scab. For 

 a very early crop, the potatoes may be sprouted before planting. 



Peppers. — Sow the seeds in the hotbed or in the boxes in the house. 



Radish seeds may be sown in the open ground or in the hotbed and 

 the crop harvested from there. The small, round varieties are best 

 for this purpose. 



Strawberries. — Give a good, thorough cultivation between the rows 

 and then remove the mulch from the plants, placing it in the rows, 

 where it will help to keep the weeds down. 



Salsify. — Sow the seeds as soon as the ground can be worked. 

 Give the same care and cultivation as for carrots or parsnips. 



Spinach seeds must be sown early, and then every two weeks for 

 a succession. Thin out and use the plants before they send up flower- 

 stalks. 



Squashes. — Hubbards and summer squashes may be started on 

 sods in the hotbed. 



Tomato. — Sow in the hotbed or in shallow boxes in the house. 

 Try some of the yellow varieties ; they are the finest flavored of any. 



MAY 



Beans. — The bush sorts may be planted in the open ground, 

 and hmas in pots or sods in a coldframe or spent hotbed. Limas re- 

 quire 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 purpose. 



Cucumbers. — Sow in the open ground toward the last of the month. 

 A few may be started as advised for lima beans. 



