VEGETABLE GROWING. 109 



bring twenty-five cents apiece there must be a profit, but really the 

 time Trhon the}' pay best is when they bring ten or twelve cents 

 each at wholesale. They are cultivated in hot-beds and hot-houses. 

 The}' require a high temperature ; and the greatest diflflculty iu 

 growing them in winter is that the temperature may chance to fall 

 below a given point ; and then they begin to show it, and decline 

 or die ; but if a high temperature is continually maintained, and 

 proper care and a sufficient quantity of water is supplied to them, 

 their success is almost certain. 



Corn. — This crop is not verj' extensively cultivated b}'' market 

 gardeners, as it is not sufficienth' profitable for growing on high- 

 priced land. Nevertheless it is grown by them to some extent for 

 the first early market ; and more largely* in the farm gardens farther 

 away from the city. The soil should be a well prepared sandy loam, 

 enriched by about six cords per acre of stable manure, broadcast, 

 and about two cords applied in the hill or drill ; or, if preferred, a 

 dressing of fertilizer ma}' be used in the hill instead of the manure ; 

 but it is always well to have some manure put on broadcast for the 

 crop to feed on when that supplied in the hill is exhausted. Plant 

 in rows three or three and a half feet apart, with the hills three 

 feet apart iu the row ; drop five or six kernels per hill, and after- 

 wards thin the plants to three or four ; cover about three-fourths of 

 an inch deep. Afterwards the ground should be frequently stirred 

 b}' cultivating and hoeing. 



Dandelions. — This vegetable is one of the earliest and best, 

 as well as most healthful, of spring greens. The seed is sown 

 iu the early spring, and it requires the growth of all one season 

 to establish a large root. This is left in the ground over winter 

 for spring growing. For forcing, it ma}' be dug up and set in 

 rows in a hot-bed or hot-house. The plants can be brought for- 

 ward for market at any time, by putting the glass on the beds, or 

 applying heat in the hot-house. The roots are used sometimes for 

 making beer ; they are dug and dried, and are then ready for use 

 at any time. 



Endive. — This is another vegetable for which there is only a 

 very limited demand. It is used as a salad, and by some is highly 

 esteemed. The culture is very simple, and it will succeed on 

 almost any good garden soil. Select if possible a spot where 

 the plants will not be fully exposed to the heat and drought. Sow 

 in rows, thinning the plants to one foot in the row. 



