QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 143 



were grown. Red Valentine beans differ also in degrees of color and in 

 shape and plumpness, as some are grown on heavy soil, others on light 

 sand ; some as an early crop, others as a late crop ; yet all may be 

 equally early and good in quality of edible pod. If there is any choice 

 between lots of Red Valentine beans the small misshapen ones are the 

 best, without respect to the depth of coloring. 



877. Q. How is it that two lots of Bloomsdale Ruta Baga seed received Size of Seeds. 

 from you a^t intervals of ten days were quite different in color and size of 



seed? 



A. We grow our Ruta Baga seed on many different fields, some being 

 sand and gravel, others clay, and these in three different States, conse- 

 quently the crops are ripened at different periods and exposed to variable 

 fluctuations of soil conditions and more or less heat and rain. No sane 

 man could expect that such seeds could be of uniform color, or plump- 

 ness, or indeed appear to be the same thing. The grade or quality of all 

 is the same as all are grown from pedigree roots, 



878. Q. Does pollination in the case of garden vegetables occur with Pollination. 

 equal certainty both in Northern and Southern climates ? 



A. It is only absolutely pertain , that is, certain up to the normal degree, 

 in climates of intermediate temperature and conditions. Burning heats 

 or extended droughts of tropical countries interfere partially with the 

 process, so also do cool to cold nights of Northern latitudes. Under ex- 

 cessive and long-continued heat the stamens and pistils dry up prema- 

 turely, and under conditions of too low a temperature at nights they do 

 not develop to such a degree as in districts where the nights are hot. 

 There the pollen is produced in perfection, and is so light that pollination 

 is certain to occur. 



879. Q. My section in Indiana has always been celebrated for the excel- Flavor in 

 lent flavor of its cantaloupes, but this year no melons for twenty miles Cantaloupes, 

 around me have the usual good taste. Can you explain this ? 



A. Nothing unusual in this ; it often happens, but it is hard to explain. 

 Probably due to a want of sunshine, or too much rain, too much drought, 

 or to some unusual climatic influence unexplainable. It may not occur 

 again for years, but just such conditions are certain to be experienced in 

 time by all melon growers. 



880. Q. Can watercress be grown in the absence of a running stream of -Watercress, 

 water. If so please give me directions ? 



A. Yes ; it is often grown during Winter in vegetable forcing houses. 

 It requires a moist atmosphere and lots of watering, and must be grown 

 in a cool shady position. To start the seed it should be sown in pans or 

 trays, and after the plants are two inches high pricked out at four inches 

 apart. The watercress belongs to the nasturtium family. Under glass, 

 or in a garden, watercress never reaches the vigor of plants grown in a 

 running stream. 



881. Q. Why do radishes sometimes become pithy and tough ? Radishes. 

 A. Radishes well grown are grown quickly, and under those circum- 



