QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 85 



511. Q. What are the signs for planting garden ? Planting 

 A. In the Northern and Middle States the average season for open-air Signs or 



seeding may be indicated by the blooming of well-known trees and *'"** *' 

 shrubs, though seeding may be made with profit both before and after 

 such periods, as it is a safe rule in gardening to divide the risks. For in- 

 stance, when the peach is in bloom sow those seeds which will germinate 

 in cold soil, resist slight frost, as peas, spinach, onion and leek. When 

 the oak bursts its leaf buds sow beet, carrot, celery, lettuce, parsnip, rad- 

 ish, salsify, turnip, tomato. When the blackberry is in bloom sow those 

 seeds which will thrive only in warmer soil, as the bean, corn, cucumber, 

 canteloupe, watermelon, pumpkin, squash, okra. 



512. Q. How much time must I give my seeds to sprout before deciding Germination, 

 to break up the land and sow a second time? Time 



A. The time required in germination greatly varies, dependent upon * 

 the species of plant, the age of the seed and the surrounding conditions 

 of soil and atmosphere. Under favorable circumstances, peas, beans and 

 corn should sprout in three days ; cabbage, turnip and radish in four 

 days ; vine seeds, such as melon, squash and cucumber, in five or six 

 days. Germination, however, does not guarantee vegetation, as seeds 

 showing a germ may never appear above ground if physically weak, if 

 too deeply covered, or if the soil is hardened by rain or heat. 



513. Q. Which is the greater loss to the garden, unvital seed or impure Unvital or 

 gggfl 1 Impure Seed. 



A. If seed prove unvital a new purchase can be made and a new plant- 

 ing follow within a few days ; but impure seed is more deceptive, as its 

 very vigor secures the crop attention and labor to be subsequently found 

 wasted. Of the two evils, unvital seed or impure seed, the first, by all 

 odds, is the least. 



514. Q. Must I thin all my crops, or leave some just as they sprouted ? Tiiinnins 

 A. Do not hesitate to thin out, no matter how sturdy and attractive the ^**P^' 



plants may be, for the plant which crowds another is simply a weed. 

 This thinning should be done before the plants be drawn or elongated in 

 their stems or leaves, or they will ever afterwards show the injurious 

 effects of crowding. It may be done by cutting out with a hoe or knife 

 those plants which are not needed elsewhere, or, if considered worth 

 transplanting, they should be carefully dug up, that the finer roots be 

 preserved. No vegetable or flower will properly develop if crowded ; 

 certainly one symmetrical plant is worth a dozen sickly ones, not only 

 for market but in general satisfaction. 



515. Q. Why do some seed merchants commit errors in filling orders Errors by 

 for seed ? Seed 



A. Because their employes are human. When seed buyers are ready ^®^**^*"*** 

 to pay better prices for seeds perhaps the merchants can afibrd to employ 

 angels to put up the orders ; angels may be infallible. "To err is human ; 

 to forgive, divine." 



