80 THE GABDENETTE 



Plants mulched with fodder will usually set and 

 ripen double as many fine fruits as those trained 

 to stakes or left to straggle on the ground, be- 

 cause the warm, sunny, sheltered bed attracts 

 those insects which are necessary to effect perfect 

 pollenization. Early tomato plants often fail to 

 set fruit because the cool weather of early sum- 

 mer does not invite visitation of insects. 



Growth and ripening can be accelerated consid- 

 erably by the application of nitrate of soda, after 

 the plants start growth in the open ground. Use 

 a small teaspoonful of crushed crystals to the 

 plant, sowing broadcast on the top of the ground, 

 around the plant, but be careful that it does not 

 touch the leaves, or they will be injured. Eepeat 

 this every ten days until the fruit is full grown. 



For varieties I would choose Field's Early June, 

 and Earliana for first early. The former is 

 slightly earlier and more productive. For main 

 crop, Stone, Globe, Favorite, and Ponderosa. 

 The Ponderosa is sometimes rough, but is unsur- 

 passed for slicing. Bonny Best is of excellent 

 quality, but as yet is somewhat variable. 



TURNIPS 



Turnips may be sown in April and May, but 

 rarely do well. For late, sow in August or early 

 half of September. Sow in rows twelve inches 

 apart, and ten seeds to the foot. When well 

 started, thin carefully to six inches. Neglect of 

 thinning will spoil the crop. 



After sowing the seed, the ground should be 

 tramped firm, and then given a good soaking. If 



