MI8CKLLANE00H CROPS. fill 



If the soil is inclined to ]»ack after sowing, scatter over tlic bed very 

 lightly some tine, well-rotted horse manure. If it is anticipated that the 

 soil is likely to pack in this way, the manure should he incorporated in the 

 bed before sowing. 



In about one month the beds will be ready to be uncovered, and the 

 seedlings to be hardened off before transplanting. This should be done 

 gradually. For the first few days, if the weather is very hot, cover up in 

 the middle of the day until the plants can stand the direct heat of the sun. 



Plants which come up too quickly in the seed-bed> are apt to be weedy and 

 spindly specimens, and should be thinned out so that each occupies an area 

 of about a square inch. 



If plants are not coming on as fast as it is wished after they are up, a 

 sugar bag may be filled with horse-manure, the neck tied, and the bag 

 snaked in a cask of 40 gallons of water for a day. The liquid can then be 

 freely used twice a week on the beds with a can that has a fine rose. 



Pests of Seedlings. 



The beds should be covered every evening and not uncovered until sunrise. 

 Possibly the grower has not been troubled with the moths which lay eggs 

 on the seedlings and develop into the caterpillars commonly known as 

 " Stem Grubs " or " Tobacco Laaf Miners," and which work their way 

 through the leaf tissues into the stem and stalk, and it is well to take some 

 precaution. If the grub is present, or feared, spray the plants when they 

 have four leaves with two teaspoonsful of arsenate of lead to one gallon of 

 water, and at an interval of four days later repeat the spraying. 



Look out for cutworms, as they work havoc in the beds if neglected. If 

 their presence is suspected, for two evenings before sowing lay baits on the 

 seed-beds and the surrounding cleared land. The bait is made with 1 lb. 

 arsenate of soda, 8 lb. treacle or sugar, and 10 gallons of water. Dissolve 

 the arsenate of soda in one pint of boiling water, add the sugar or treacle, 

 and the water, cut up some greenstuff, and mix all together. Pollard also 

 may be used in place of greenstuff, and, if so, it, should be mixed to the 

 consistency of porridge. The quantity mentioned should be enough for the 

 seed-beds for 10 acres of plants. 



To Hasten Development. 



Possibly it is required to obtain plants quickly, and in the following 

 manner growers may expect to have them ready for transplanting in about 

 six weeks. Before sowing, lightly cover the whole bed (so that it may be 

 plainly seen) with high-grade superphosphate; about 3 or 4 lb. will be 

 required for each 100 square feet of seed-bed. Take a rake and lightly draw 

 it over the bed once, and then sow the seed. When the plants are well up 

 (which should be in about three weeks), soak a sugar bag full of horse 

 manure in a 40-gallon cask of water, and give the bed a good watering. 

 This should be repeated weekly. Plants so grown will do well in the field, 

 but it must be understood that the grower cannot obtain plants quickly if 

 the ground is not warm and the weather spring-like. 



t 047t'7— x 



