236 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



be run down these rows at this time. As plants grow make the 

 ridge wider with a crowder run in between each row. This ridge 

 will keep plants from breaking down so readily when laden with 

 fruit, and when fruit strikes the ground it will not decay so readily 

 because the ridge will be dry. Do not make your first ridging too 

 high, and do not do the work too late ; if so, the first setting will 

 be greatly injured by pushing the earth against the fruit, thus leav- 

 ing no room for it to grow, and many pods will be curly and eaten 

 by bugs. 



Growing from Seed in Place. Allen Brothers, of Garden 

 Grove, formerly grew plants in hot-beds but later have used a 

 garden drill to put the seed in finely pulverized ground in the field 

 where they will grow without transplanting. This is usually done 

 in the first half of March. The rows are 3^ to 4 feet apart and 

 the seeds are sown thick enough so that they will leave a good stand 

 when thinned to 20 inches apart at 3 to 6 inches high. The ones 

 thinned out may be transplanted as late as June to places where 

 there are not enough already. But little water is necessary in trans- 

 planting and there is but little loss. Considerable dirt may be taken 

 up with the plant, as it is usually moved only a few feet at most. 



Shovel cultivators are used after each irrigation on the harder 

 lumpy soils, but harrows are sufficient on the sandy soils. Always 

 bear in mind that peppers have a widespread root system near the 

 surface, and these roots should not be cut. The same thing is to 

 be remembered in ditching for irrigation. Broad flat ditches are 

 right, between low ridges along the rows to keep the water away 

 from the plants. 



Irrigation. Irrigation is the most particular need of peppers; 

 they require more than other crops. Allen Brothers irrigate ten to 

 fifteen times per season, according to the soil. From July 15 when 

 the fruit begins to set, the vines need water about every ten days. 



Directly after an irrigation about September 15, burr clover 

 is sown for fertilizer, and a last shallow cultivation is immediately 

 given. The clover is, of course, to keep up the fertility. The Aliens 

 have raised peppers three or four years in succession on the same 

 fields; but they usually alternate with lima beans, which also build 

 up fertility. 



Gathering and Curing. During September the fruit will be- 

 gin to ripen, the time of ripening depending upon the soil and the 

 care of the crop. In sandy soil the fruit will ripen quicker than 

 in deep sediment. If the plants lack moisture they will ripen much 

 faster, which looks well, but they should be kept green as long as 

 possible. It pays better in the end. 



The crop should be picked as each setting ripens; go over the 

 field three or four times. A pod should be left on the vine until 

 of a dark red and it has lost its hardness, being somewhat pliable. 

 Have the crop gathered in large baskets, but they should be hauled 

 in boxes rather than sacks, as they are less liable to be bruised, and 



