44 



QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 



The following table, extracted from Bulletin No. 27, of the Louisiana 

 State Experimental Station, clearly shows the relative development of 

 size and relative period of maturity to that size. It will be perceived at a 

 glance that the Bermudas were nearly twice as large and fifteen to twenty- 

 five days earlier than the Creole. 



Transplanting Onions at Baton Rouge. — Sown in August, 1893. 



Variety. 



*Red Bermuda, transplanted 



Red Bermuda, not transplanted 



White Bermuda, transplanted 



White Bermuda, not transplanted 



Louisiana or Creole, transplanted 



Louisiana or Creole, not transplanted. 



Prize Taker, transplanted 



Prize Taker, not transplanted 



It will be seen by this that in two cases the average weight was in- 

 creased, and also the bulk matured earlier, besides this the nearly perfect 

 stand insured by transplanting gave a much increased total yield per 

 given length of row. These seeds were sown the last of August, 1893, 

 and the plants transplanted when less than one-fourth inch in diameter. 



Fertilizers. 239. Q. Why do commercial fertilizers give the best results in wet 

 seasons '? 



A. In wet seasons the repeated and abundant rains completely solve 

 the component parts, so that neither in a dry state nor in half solved con- 

 dition can they burn the rootlets. 

 Germination. 240. Q. Why is It that fresh seeds do not germinate as quickly as old 

 seeds ? 



A. Some old seeds being perfectly dry are more susceptible to a less 

 degree of moisture, consequently sprout quickly. 



241. Q. To what age do seeds retain their vitality? 



A. That is a hard question to answer, as so much depends upon condi- 

 tions of moisture, heat and soil^-but as a rule vegetable seeds are entirely 

 dead in eight years for cabbage, turnip and beet ; four j'^ears for carrot, 

 parsley, spinach ; five years for peas, beans, cucumber, squash, melons ; 

 three years for peppers, egg plant, okra, corn. 



242. Q. Why do some experienced gardeners prefer old seeds to fresh 

 ones? 



A. Old seeds having less physical force do not develop such vigorous 

 plants — do not grow so rampant, and in the case of melons, squashes, 

 cucumbers, they do not cover so much ground, while setting more fruit. 



Vitality of 



Seeds. 



Old Seeds 

 Preferred. 



* Twenty days ahead of the Creole, and four and a half ounces against three ounces. 



