QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 107 



and midriba The cardoon does not produce edible heads, it being bred 

 for its edible leaves, the artichoke for its edible flowers. 



661. Q. There is a demand in my market for a Box radish of a deep red Radish, 

 color. Is there such a radish, with a sliort top and of quick growth, which 



I can use for the purpose ? I want them to bunch with my White Box 

 radish, and they must be of similar shape. 



A. Landreths' Earliest is the one to use. It unites two marked quali- 

 ties : First, an earliness in maturity for table, surpassing any other red 

 sort ; secondly, a rich depth of claret or ruby color, unapproached by any 

 other variety. In form it is turnip-shaped, in size and form similar to the 

 Early Scarlet. The leaves, very short and small, fit it for forcing in glass 

 house or frame, while its early maturity will astonish the cultivator. 



662. Q. Can I improve my tomatoes by pruning the vines? If so, at i''"o»^i»s 

 ■what stage of growth should the pruning be done? °"^^ **®^* 



A. Pruning must be done with judgment, else the blooms will be cut 

 oflf in too large numbers. Pruning, when well done, is advantageous, as 

 it lets air and light into the vines, which otherwise might become a tangle 

 in which no fruit could ripen. 



663. Q. Is marl of much value as a fertilizer ? Marl. 

 A. That depends on the kind of marl. The best marl is Jersey green 



sand marl, by the use of which large districts in Jersey have been raised 

 from poverty to affluence. On lands which fifty years ago not over 

 twenty bushels of corn could be produced, the average crops now are 

 fifty bushels. All kinds of shell fish deposits are called marl, but there 

 is a great difference in value of various deposits. 



664. Q. What is the manurial effect of large turnips plowed under, Tornips 

 bulbs and leaves all turned down out of sight? ** Manure. 



A. Very valuable ; and a very quick and a very cheap means of enriching 

 a field. The seed sown broadcast in August will develop a big crop by 

 Ist November, ready for plowing down before the land is frozen. It is 

 a system which should be largely practiced, as it is an elficient way 

 of manuring the land and done at a season when there is little to do on a 

 farm. 



665. Q. What particular merit is there in a strap-leaf turnip ? What strap-leaf 

 does strap-leaf mean as applied to turnip ? Turnips. 



A. It means a leaf without indentures — a straight leaf like a rabbit's 

 ear. There is no special merit in it — it simply indicates that the stock is 

 a pedigree one. If it was not watched and culled it would soon cease to 

 be a strap-leaf— would become a cut-leaf. 



666. Q. Are the seeds of garden vegetables, when in eating condition, Maturity of 

 sufllciently matured for sowing ? Seeds. 



A. Those of watermelons, cantaloupes, pumpkins ; hardly of any- 

 thing else. 



667. Q. What is the best pea to plant for a late crop, say in August ? Peas. 

 I have tried several sorts, but they always mildew. 



A. Landreths' Extra Early is best, as it is the least subject to mildew 



