200 



HORTICULTURE 



Both dwarf and pole varieties are generally grown, with a prefer- 

 ence for thick-seeded dwarf varieties in some localities. It is a favor- 

 ite vegetable for canning purposes. 

 Okra. This plant is also known 

 as gumbo, and is cultivated for its 

 pods, which are used frequently in 

 making soups, especially in the 

 South. It is also stewed and served 

 like asparagus. The seed should be 

 sown in hills about three feet apart 

 and from four to six seed should be 

 planted in a hill. After the plants 

 come up, it will be well to thin them 

 out, and to leave about two plants 

 in a hill. Okra may be grown al- 

 most anywhere, but it is raised 

 chiefly in the Southern States. 



Pepper. Like okra, the pepper 

 plant is cultivated chiefly for its 

 pods, which are used for seasoning 

 meats and foods of various kinds. 

 In Mexico and South America many 



of the hot varieties are eaten raw. In this country, they are 

 served either green or ripe, and may be eaten raw with vinegar 

 and salt, or may be filled with special dressings and then stewed 

 before serving. The culture for pepper plants is practically the 

 same as for eggplants. The yield and quality of fruit will be 

 greatly improved if the ground is enriched with hen manure. 



Other Vegetables, such as radish, turnip, carrot, beet, salsify, are 

 readily grown in nearly every part of the United States. They 

 have already been described under the head of root crops. 



EXERCISES 



Secure catalogues from various seed houses which give the price of seed 

 in bulk, and estimate the amount of seed required for seeding an acre of 

 ground and solve the following problems. Also ascertain the market prices 

 of vegetables from the market quotations in some newspaper. 



1. Which is the most profitable crop, lettuce or spinach ? Why.? 



2. Ascertain the cost of onion sets, the labor required for planting and 



