ISO AGRICULTURE 



a bank of earth to blanch, or whiten, celery, a board can be set on 

 each side of the row so as to keep out the sunlight. 



Asparagus. Asparagus is another pop- 

 ular but little raised vegetable. Beds once 

 established last a long time. Asparagus 

 should not be cut until the plants have 

 been three years set. 



Legumes. Peas, string beans, or snaps, 

 and the shell beans, lima, navy, and but- 

 ter beans, are legumes. These require a 

 fairly fertile soil; if they are given other 

 plant food, the summer-growing ones get 

 their nitrogen from the air. 



Melon Family. To the melon family 

 ASPARAGUS PLANT 



belong muskmelon, watermelon, cucum- 

 ber, squash or cymling, and pumpkin. Different as these seem, 

 they are alike in many ways. Most of them are tropical or sub- 

 tropical plants and very tender; they must not be planted until 

 danger of frost is over and the ground is warm. They need 

 light, mellow, well-drained soil. If planted near one another, 

 members of this family mix. They all have some very trouble- 

 some insect enemies, beetles and bugs. 



Sweet Corn. Sweet corn requires the same cultivation and 

 care as does field corn, which has been described. It should never 

 be near enough to mix with the field varieties. 



Okra, Cabbage. Okra is grown in hot, dry sections, but does 

 not thrive in cool, moist ones; cabbage, on the other hand, heads 

 better in a cool climate. 



Herbs. In every country garden there should be an herb bed 

 for seasoning and flavors. Here should grow such herbs as -sage, 

 lavender, spearmint, thyme, mar'jo ram, and sa'vo ry. Sweet 



