CULTURE OF PEPPERS 259 



rich, light soil, well cultivated and adequately moist, is a requisite. 

 The distance between the plants depends upon method of cultivation. 

 In the hand-worked garden, the plants may be set a foot apart in 

 rows, eighteen inches distant. from each other, but usually greater 

 distance is better, and for horse work the rows should be two or 

 three feet apart. 



Field Culture. Field culture for canning and for the trade in 

 dried peppers is pursued on a large scale in southern California, 

 especially in Orange county, on the deep loams of the gentle slope 

 oceanward. An outline of methods is prepared from data fur- 

 nished by Mr. Allan Knapp of Anaheim, who is widely acquainted 

 with local experience in the pepper district. 



Seed. It is exceedingly important to have a good type of 

 plant, and this can be secured by selecting pods in the field, to 

 furnish seed for the following year, from low bushy vines full of 

 pods of medium length. A tall bush will not produce as many pods 

 and it is more liable to be broken by strong winds when loaded with 

 fruit. Besides the end of the pods from a low plant will rest on 

 the ground, and in that position they will prop up the branches, 

 providing you keep crowding a little earth to the row at each cul- 

 tivation, as will be described later. 



When these seed pods are gathered put them on a string and 

 hang up to dry against the south end of a building. Do not put 

 them into the evaporator when hotter than 110 to 115. They may 

 stand more heat, but perhaps only 50% of the seed may germinate 

 quickly, and the other half may delay a week longer than those 

 dried i-n the sun; neither will it make so strong a plant. 



Gr ozving Seedlings. Select a location for the seed bed where 

 good drainage may be had. Sandy soil is best, but not so poor 

 that it contains no plant food to nourish the young plant. Plow 

 and level the plot, harrowing or raking with a hand rake, as only 

 a small piece of land is used; sow seed about March 15 in rows 

 three inches apart, covering one-quarter of an inch. On this 

 spread one-quarter inch with sand. Start your seed beside a large 

 tree, if you have one, and you will have fair success. The tree 

 will drain your land. If the young plants begin to die by "damp- 

 ing off," take a trowel and dig out the affected spots and throw 

 them away. The plants should have five or six leaves on before 

 transplanting commences. Wet the soil of the seed bed thoroughly 

 before lifting the plants, as the roots are damaged less. 



