VEGETABLE GAKDENING 33 



of the same size wire, and serves to carry the 

 booster from place to place, and hold the cap in 

 position. It will be found convenient in punch- 

 ing the holes for the handle and hooks, to first 

 make a pattern and then, by placing a dozen or 

 more sheets of the roofing in a pile, perforate the 

 whole lot at one operation. This insures uniform- 

 ity, which is important, as all the parts are then 

 interchangeable. 



The odor of the tar or asphalt which attaches 

 to nearly all kinds of roofing, does not seem to be 

 harmful to the plants. 



USING THE BOOSTERS 



Early cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce are 

 nearly hardy, and need protection but for about 

 two weeks. They should be "hardened" by leav- 

 ing off the caps for a week ; then the booster may 

 be taken away and used on other plants, such as 

 tomato and egg plants. But even with these ten- 

 der plants they should not be left on too long. 

 Usually the caps are first removed, and if the 

 weather is suitable, the entire protection taken 

 away before the plants become drawn. 



For cucumbers, melons and squashes, the 

 boosters furnish excellent protection against the 

 striped beetle. By use of tobacco dust, and moth 

 balls, it is easy to head off these destroyers, as 

 the odors are more powerful and lasting inside 

 the machine. To keep out the bugs when the caps 

 are removed, substitute a cap made of fly-screen 

 wire. 



In using the booster, be sure to keep soil well 

 raked up around the machine. 



