CHAPTER XXIV. 

 CULTURE OF OKRA. 



REAT quantities of okra are annually grown 

 throughout the United States, particularly in 

 the South. The demand is constantly increas- 

 ing and each year much larger quantities are 

 consumed, so that it has become a staple article 

 throughout our markets. 



There are a number of varieties of recent 

 introduction upon the market, the long green 

 and different varieties of the white having their individual merits. 

 It can be planted practically every month in the year in this 

 territory, but for the Northern markets it should be sown about 

 August i. Sow in shallow drills, placing the rows about three 

 and one-half feet apart for the dwarf varieties and five feet for the 

 giant varieties. 



Thorough fertilization* should be given, using one of the 

 vegetable fertilizers throughout its growth. Shallow cultivation 

 should be given at all times. Should it be infested with the 

 green aphis, applications of whale oil soap, tobacco dust or to- 

 bacco juice, should be applied in time. It is not susceptible to 

 any other disease, except at times, cotton rust. A light applica- 

 tion of kainit applied as for the tomatoes, will help to eradicate 

 this latter disease. 



It should be picked when the size of a rather small cigar, 

 packed in six-basket carriers and marketed at once. Those that 

 are deformed or overgrown should be excluded from the pack 

 entirely. 



A very good price can be obtained for this product. It some 

 times brings as high as $8.00 or $10.00 per crate during the 

 winter months, in the Northern markets. 



* See last pan of Chapter VI. 



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