54 THE GAKDENETTE 



" Puddle" is a thin mixture of clay and water, 

 and should be about the consistency of cream. 



Press soil very firmly about roots, then water 

 freely, and shade with muslin screens for a few 

 days. If any plants fail to grow, put in fresh ones, 

 so there are no vacancies. 



Water frequently and somewhat copiously. 

 This is best done in the evening. 



To stimulate growth, apply in dry state, nitrate 

 of soda, by sifting the pulverized crystals, with the 

 hand, between the rows, but be careful to keep it 

 off the foliage. Use eight heaping teaspoonfuls 

 to 100 plants, and repeat about twice, at intervals 

 of ten days. 



When plants are eight to ten inches high, do 

 most of the watering by permitting the hose to lie 

 on the ground between rows, as too much water on 

 the foliage may induce rust. 



In about six weeks from last transplanting, 

 blanching may begin. 



Take cheap, one-ply roofing felt, such as Flint- 

 kote, or similar material, and cut in pieces sixteen 

 inches by twelve inches. Bend in cylinders which 

 should be about five inches in diameter, and twelve 

 inches long. With small tacks fasten the edges 

 together, lapping one inch. The tacks will hold 

 1 better if there is an inch strip of the same material 

 on the inside of the cylinder, where the lap is 

 tacked. Use a two-foot piece of two-inch gas pipe 

 as an anvil, on which to nail, fastening one end 

 firmly in a vice. Now first lay the strip on the 

 gas pipe, then place the lap directly over this 

 strip, the cylinder encircling the pipe, and drive 

 tacks through the three thicknesses, and clinch 



