520 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



go through the patch early every morning and sprinkle all the hills 

 with air-slaked lime. 



Egg-plants. — Toward the end of the month the plants growing in 

 frames may be transplanted to their fruiting quarters. Seed may 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 season, they often go to seed. 



Okra. — A sowing may be made now, but the main planting would 

 best be deferred until after March 15. Sow in drills 3 ft. apart and 

 thin the plants to 18 in. 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 egg-plants. 



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. 



Squashes. — Plant seed in hills 6 ft. apart. The directions for 

 planting melons may be followed. The same remarks apply to pump- 

 kins and other vegetables of this kind. 



Sweet-potatoes. — 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. 



Strawberries. — The mulching of beds or row^s should be no longer 

 delayed, if clean and plentiful fruit is wanted. 



Tomatoes. — About March 15 the frame plants may go to their 

 fruiting quarters. It is necessary to use some judgment in this mat- 

 ter, 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 4 ft. 

 apart each way. 



APRIL 



Alternantheras should go out now. 



Annuals of all kinds may still be sown where they are to flower, as 

 they transplant with difficulty atj;his season. cr<3k6* 



