78 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



liable to attacks from cutworms. For that reason 

 plenty of tobacco should be scattered among the 

 seeds. With care in planting good seed at the 

 right time, a big start has been made toward an 

 excellent harvest. 



Not much more care is needed except, perhaps, 

 a little extra food once or twice and regular cul- 

 tivation. Some attention may need to be given 

 the seeds before they start. If there should be a 

 heavy pounding rain and the surface should 

 harden and crack, then, as we already know, the 

 surface mulch must be restored in some way. If 

 the beans are beginning to start, dirt must be 

 scattered over the hills and up and down the rows. 

 There is more difficulty in that regard with beans 

 than with almost any other seed. As soon as they 

 start, a little extra nitrogenous food may be given 

 the young beans in order to hurry up growth. 

 One application of nitrate of soda may be given, a 

 tablespoonful to a hill and a sprinkle along the 

 row. That is enough on a rich loam. Perhaps one 

 more application might be made, if the soil is 

 poor. There is danger, however, of giving legumes 

 too much nitrogen. 



After the first few days, the main attention 

 should be given to cultivation. Be especially care- 

 ful not to cultivate when the plants are wet, when 

 the dew is on the foliage or when it has rained. 

 Even going among the plants, touching them when 

 they are damp, tends to increase "rust." Culti- 



