STARTING PLANTS 67 



even sow the seed in place in the field, thinning out 

 to a single one in a hill when the plants are about 

 2 inches high. Some of the largest yields I have ever 

 known have been raised in this way, but the fruit is 

 late in maturing and generally the method is not so 

 satisfactory as starting the plants where they can be 

 given some protection, and transplanting them to the 

 field. 



Plants for the home garden. — These may be grown 

 in pots or boxes set in the sunniest spot available and 

 treated as has been described. In this way plants, 

 equal to any, may be grown without the aid of either 

 hotbed or greenhouse. It will generally be more satis- 

 factory, however, to secure the dozen or two plants 

 needed from some one who has grown them in quan- 

 tity than to grow so small a lot by themselves. In 

 selecting plants, take those which are short, stiff, hard, 

 and dark green in color with some purple color on 

 the lower part of the stem rather than those which 

 are softer and of a brighter green, or those in which 

 the foliage is of a yellowish green; but in selection 

 it must be remembered that varieties differ as to the 

 color of foliage, so that there may be a difference in 

 shade which is not due to conditions. 



Plants under glass. — If to be grown in pots or 

 boxes, "prick out," when small, into three-inch pots 

 and as they grow re-pot several times so that when 

 set in the pots or beds in which they are to fruit, they 

 are stout plants 12 to 16 inches high. Plants propa- 

 gated from cuttings give much better returns rela- 

 tively under glass than out of doors. 



