no 



QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 



Cantaloupes. 



liettuce. 



Spinacb. 



■Watermelon, 

 Turnip. 



Cabbage 

 Worm. 



Uma Beans. 



Puddling. 



Liiquid 

 Manure. 



Weeds. 



683. Q. Cantaloupes, where did they originally come from ? 



A. It is believed they first came from Africa, but possibly they were 

 natives of Asia as well. The Romans cultivated the cantaloupe and illus- 

 trated it in pictures now existing. The writer has obtained some very 

 choice new sorts through the missionaries of Armenia. 



684. Q. Where did lettuce originally come from ? 



A. The wild form still grows in the Canary Islands, Madeira, Algeria, 

 and in Asia. The ancient Greeks and Romans cultivated it. 



685. Q. Where did spinach originate? 



A. It was first cultivated in Western Asia. The seed originally was all 

 prickly, the smooth-seeded being a perpetuation of a sport. 



686. Q. What is the native country of the watermelon ? 



A. Central Africa. Livingstone saw large districts covered with it. 



687. Q. My Spring-sown turnips are stringy. What is the cause ? I use 

 the Red Top Globe. Is there any better sort for Spring sowing? 



A. Yes ; Early Flat Dutch, but it must be used when small, not bigger 

 than a 50=cent piece, otherwise it is certain to get tough, fibrous and hot. 



688. Q. Will hot water kill the cabbage caterpillars without injuring 

 the plants ? 



A. Hot water above 160° will scald the plants, but below that will not 

 hurt them. At any temperature below 160° and above 140^ the worms 

 will be destroyed. It is an efficient remedy for use in small patches. 



689. Q. I have experienced great difficulty in getting a stand of Lima 

 beans, particularly in cold, wet seasons. Can I overcome this difficulty 

 by soaking the beans in lard or any other moisture-resisting solution ? 



A. You probably plant too early. The Lima will not sprout in cold, 

 wet soil, as it requires very favorable conditions as respects moderate 

 moisture and warmed earth. Later plantings, when the soil is in favor- 

 able condition, will overtake early plantings and the vines be more 

 healthy. If you must be early, start them under glass or in the house, 

 and transplant when four inches high. 



690. Q. When transplanting cabbage and tomatoes is it necessary to 

 puddle the roots ? 



A. Not desirable unless they are to be shipped some distance. If to be 

 planted at home, puddling is a mistake, as the mud cements around the 

 roots and arrests their free action in the soil. Transplant only just before 

 a rain or just after, and tightly fasten the plant in the soil. 



691. Q. Do you advise liquid manure for application to garden vege- 

 tables ? 



A. Yes ; applied between the plants, not on top of them, or it might 

 scald. Only apply in the evening, as water excites the plants to action — 

 the roots to absorbing and pumping up and the leaves to evaporation. 

 This during the middle of a hot day is injurious, but at night is beneficial. 



692. Q. How can I keep my paths free of grass and weeds? 



A. Lime and salt will hold them in check, but not prevent them 

 entirely. 



