180 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



The Seed-bed. A seed-bed which is naturally moist or which 

 can be sub-irrigated is preferable, although the raised bed with irri- 

 gation by seepage, or other arrangement for maintaining moisture 

 may be used. The soil must be light and free from baking. The 

 seed-bed should be plowed by the middle of December and left 

 rough for the action of frosts and rains, and about two weeks be- 

 fore sowing, harrow down and thoroughly hand rake. Let it lie till 

 seed-time, which is during March, April and May, as to season or 

 early or late planting. The early-sown seed requires longer time 

 to make plants large enough for planting, but if planted moder- 

 ately thick and well cared for, makes strong, sturdy plants. Plant- 

 ing earlier than February is, however, undesirable as the plants are 

 apt to go to seed after planting out. 



At planting rake the surface thoroughly again with a sharp, 

 close-toothed rake and either drill or sow seed broadcast. The drill 

 is preferable but if broadcast lightly rake the seed in and either 

 roll or firm the soil thoroughly, as there is much seed lost by neg- 

 lecting this part. The seed-beds are generally made from four to 

 six feet wide, leaving room between each bed to weed and clip them, 

 which constitutes the after care except to keep them moist. Keep 

 as free from weeds as possible, and when the plants get about three 

 inches high, clip the tops about half way down, and when they get 

 three or four inches high, if not ready to plant, clip again, as the 

 keeping of tops back makes the plants better for transplanting. 



Irrigation is often used to start the plants strongly at first, but 

 subsequent growth is secured by very sparing use of water if pos- 

 sible. Standing water among the young plants should not be al- 

 lowed. It is usually counted that one acre of seed-bed will furnish 

 plants for twenty acres of planting out. 



Planting in the Feld. The land should be thoroughly cleaned 

 of trash and given early and thorough preparation as will be de- 

 scribed in the chapter on corn. In Orange county planting in the 

 early part of June brings the crop for Thanksgiving and in July for 

 the holidays and later. In the Stockton district experience has 

 favored planting out not later than June in order to bring the crop 

 out of the field before the heavy rains and frosts of the lowlands 

 in the early winter, which have previously occasioned some heavy 

 losses. 



Laying off for planting may be done by taking off all but the 

 three inside discs of a disc harrow, attaching a shovel plow in the 

 middle and close behind the harrow, and following this with a five 

 or six-foot roller with a raised belt around the center, which runs 

 in the plow furrow and forms a compact trench about six inches 

 deep. Three and one-half or four feet is the usual distance between 

 the trenches, and the plants are set six inches apart in the bottom 

 of the trench. 



A full crew of planters is ten men ; one to lay out the furrows, 

 one spacer or marker, who has an implement which makes from 



