338 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



(6) Stir the ground between the rows at least every two weeks, and pull all weeds 

 when they appear. 



(7) When obtainable, use fertilizers freely on old ground as well as on new. 



SPECIAL DIRECTIONS FOR CULTURE. 



Asparagus. — Sow in rows 2 feet apart in early spring and on very rich soil. Pref- 

 erably the rows should be dug out 6 inches deep and filled with old manure before 

 seeding. Stir the ground frequently during the summer. Late in the fall cover the 

 plants with long manure or with hay or straw for winter protection. If the follow- 

 ing spring the plants are strong and of good size, they can be planted out on a per- 

 manent bed; if weak and small, let them grow in the seed bed for another season 

 and transplant them the spring following. Make a bed 3 feet wide on well-drained 

 ground. Dig the earth 1£ feet deep, and in so doing work in a layer of stable manure 

 a foot thick. This will raise the bed a foot. Set two rows of plants 1$ feet apart in 

 the rows and 4 inches deep. The second year thereafter some of the more vigorous 

 shoots may be cut. Seaweed can be used as a substitute for manure. Cover the bed 

 every fall with manure or seaweed, and work it in in the spring, taking care not to 

 injure the roots. The shoots will be small and spindling unless the soil is rich. 



Beans, wax. — Plant in a w r arm, sunny place in rows 2 feet apart, but not until set- 

 tled warm weather begins. They can not be counted on to produce edible beans 

 unless grown in a dry, warm place. 



Beans, Windsor. — Drop beans 4 inches apart in a row late in the spring. They are 

 hardier than wax beans and will be successful in Alaska in all ordinary seasons. 

 The beans are shelled and used as Lima beans when nearly full grown. They are 

 quite equal to the latter in flavor. 



Beets. — Sow very thinly in a row in early spring. When 2 inches high, thin the 

 plants to 4 inches apart in the row. 



Carrots. — Sow very thinly in a row in early spring; thin the plants to 3 inches 

 apart. ^ 



Cabbage. — Fill a box 6 inches deep with rich, old soil and set it in a sunny window 

 in the house. Sow the seed thinly in this about the 1st of April. Keep the plants 

 watered and give them all the light possible. As the spring advances set the box 

 out in sunshine during the day and shelter it at night and finally leave it out alto- 

 gether. If well cared for, there will be nice plants ready to plant out about June 1. 

 Plant on rich soil, 2£ feet apart each way. A cold frame, or, better still, a hotbed, 

 can of course be used to raise the plants in instead of a box. 



Cauliflower. — Same as cabbage. 



Celery. — Raise the plants as directed for cabbage, except as follows: The seed is 

 very fine. Sow it on the surface of the soil and cover it very lightly with sandy 

 earth sifted over it. The plants grow slowly, but will be ready to set out by the 

 middle of June. Set them 4 inches apart in a row, on especially rich and well- 

 prepared soil. Blanch the stems by drawing the earth about the plants about the 

 middle of September. Protect from early frosts. 



Cucumber. — Plant seed in small pots (two seeds in a pot) in April. Keep in a 

 sunny window or in a hotbed. Harden plants gradually during latter part of May. 

 Plant out on rich soil in hills 2 feet apart in June. Be sure that the earth is not 

 knocked from the roots in turning the ball out of the pot. The plants will not 

 grow if the roots are disturbed. Cucumbers can be planted in the open in the 

 latter part of May, but they are less certain of success than by the above plan. 



Kale. — Treat as directed for cabbage and cauliflower. 



Lettuce. — Sow a little in a box in early April and transplant when warm enough. 

 Sow outdoors in May. Transplant to 6 inches apart. 



Mustard. — Sow in a row in early spring and cut it for greens. Allow some of it to 

 go to seed to supply seed for next year. 



