No. 4.] THE HOME VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



305 



Pepper, 2' x 2'. 

 Potato, 2' X 14". 

 Radish: — 



Spring and fall kinds, 2' x 3". 



Summer, 2' x 1'. 



Winter, 2' x 2'. 

 Rhubarb, at least 4' x 4'. 

 Salsify, 2' x 12"-15". 

 Spinach, 2' x 9"-12". 



New Zealand, hills 4' x 4'. 



Squash : — 



Summer, 4' x 4'. 



Vegetable Marrow, 4' x 4'. 



Winter, 5' x 5'. 

 Tomato : — 



Staked, 2' x 18" (to be pruned). 



On frames, 2' x 2'. 



Sprawhng, 3' x 2'. 

 Turnip, 2' x 9"-12". 

 Watermelon, 5' x 5'. 



The depth of planting varies somewhat with circumstances. 

 The rule for planting in flats is to cover a seed to twice its 

 thickness; but outdoors this can scarcely be followed, first 

 because such delicate work is impossible, and second because 

 soils vary. In a light soil, where there is danger of the seed's 

 drying out, the planting may be twice as deep as in a moist 

 soil. Small seeds in dry soil should be at least a quarter inch 

 deep, but celery seed, which should always be planted in a 

 seedbed, should be merely pressed into the mojst earth; and, 

 on the other hand, peas should go quite deep. It is well to 

 plant peas in shallow trenches of about 6 inches depth, to cover 

 lightly, and when the plants are growing to fill in the trenches 

 in cultivating. This will insure deep rooting and plenty of 

 moisture. After planting any seed, and firming the earth over 

 it, scatter a light mulch of earth over the place, to prevent dry- 

 ing or baking. 



After planting there is necessarily a time of waiting for the 

 seedlings to appear. If weeds sprout, or if a rain comes and 

 packs the surface, so that it bakes or dries out in the sun, the 

 gardener will be anxious to cultivate. This will be dangerous 

 unless the rows have been properly marked, and even then the 

 work is delicate. But just as soon as the seedlings appear the 

 work of cultivation should begin, and should be repeated as 

 soon as weeds are numerous, and after every shower; for culti- 

 vation not merely kills the weeds, — it saves the moisture in 

 the garden by coating the soil with an inch or two of dust, 

 through which the water cannot evaporate. Properly culti- 

 vated, a garden will need little ^^•atering, even in a drought. But 

 cultivation should be thorough. 



