WAYS WITH THE MONTHS 97 



killed, though they may be cut back, except on low ground, which 

 should be planted later. Chicory is sown, and sowing of sugar beets 

 as a field crop for the factory, begins in February, on the warmer, 

 drier lands. 



MARCH. 



Later plantings of all sorts of hardy vegetables for succes- 

 sion is pursued. The venturesome on higher, warmer lands try 

 corn, melons, squashes, tomatoes, and continue planting beans. 

 Cantaloups are planted for main 'crop in Imperial valley. Sugar 

 beets are largely sown for factory use. Sweet potatoes should go 

 into the hot-bed for slipping. 



APRIL. 



April is another month for succession planting of hardy vege- 

 tables, but it is getting late except where moisture is ample and late 

 showers quite certain. Tender plants are out of serious danger 

 except in especially frosty places. Beans can be confidently planted. 

 Peppezs, tomatoes, egg plant, sweet potatoes and other growths 

 started under cover can be brought to the open ground. Corn, 

 melons and squashes can be safely planted as field crops. The sea- 

 son's race is well along in its last quarter, and heat and drought have 

 already made hay and are ripening the grain. 



MAY. 



Everything for which there can be assured ample moisture 

 can still be planted in the moderate heat of the coast regions, but 

 it is late for shallow-rooting plants to take hold in the interior heat, 

 even with irrigation. Heat-loving plants, like watermelons, corn, 

 sweet potatoes, etc., will grow grandly with moisture enough. On 

 the coast, Lima beans, sugar beets for late crop, corn and roots for 

 fall use will do well if well cultivated. All planting now which is 

 well taken care of will carry its verdure and its crop to refresh the 

 grower in the midst of the dry season. It is a time to seek and use 

 moist land or to count on soon employing the fullest irrigation 

 facilities the place affords. 



JUNE. 



June completes the garden year. It is the last chance to plant, 

 and it is useless to plant at all except on land moist naturally or 

 by irrigation. On such lands in the interior beans are largely 

 planted and tomatoes for late crop on moist land are started from 

 seed-bed plants. It is the last chance to get a second crop on land 



