62 VEGETABLE GROWING. 



inches. At this time the largest should be chosen 

 again and the inferior ones destroyed. In a few weeks 

 from this transplanting, the plants will be ready to go 

 to the field. If they are to remain in a cold frame, 

 plant them in checks twelve by twelve inches, or six- 

 teen by sixteen inches, according to the variety. If 

 they are to be planted in the field, make the rows 

 eighteen to twenty-four inches apart and set the plants 

 fourteen inches in the row. The last transplanting 

 should be made before the heads begin to form.. 



PREPARING THE FIELD. 



All rubbish should be removed from the land be- 

 fore the field is plowed ; debris of any sort is not only 

 annoying, but also very liable to interfere in cultivat- 

 ing and liable to cause considerable loss. 



The soil should be a friable loam, with very little 

 silt or fine sand present. It should be rich, but need 

 not be deep. All plowing and preparation may be 

 shallow. 



A handy way to plant in the field is to lay the rows 

 off at proper distances, and then make checks along 

 the row. Then drop a plant at each check, and after- 

 wards come along with a dibber and press the roots 

 into the ground, or the forefinger may be used for this 

 purpose. Press the soil firmly about the plants, and 

 water thoroughly. 



CULTIVATION. 



If the weather is dry, frequent shallow plowings 

 should be given ; it is usually necessary to finish up 

 by hand, but as much work as possible ought to be 

 done by horse-power. During a wet season, the cul- 

 tivating should be deep and thorough, so as to allow 

 the surplus water to drain off rapidly. It is not suffi- 

 cient to keep the weeds down, but the soil must be 

 loose and friable all the time. 



