240 I.KSSOXS IN AGRICULTURE 



on elevated beds to dry out more easily during the hot 

 summer days. 



5. The time of planting will depend upon the nature 

 of the vegetable. Onions, peas, radishes, lettuce, and 

 potatoes may be planted as early as the ground can 

 be worked. Flower seeds, beans, cabbage, melons, to- 

 matoes, etc., should be planted later when the ground is 

 thoroughly warmed. 



6. In transplanting tomatoes, cabbages, etc., care 

 should be taken that the plants are set deep and are 

 well shaded for a while from the direct sun light. On 

 cloudy days or towards evening is the best time to do 

 transplanting. 



7. Seed beds should not be allowed to dry out on 

 the surface during germination. After the plants have 

 come through the ground, the soil should be frequently 

 stirred, to provide the surface mulch, and to keep down 

 the weeds. The plants should be thinned out where 

 they are overcrowding each other. 



8. All vegetables should be carefully watched as they 

 begin to develop leaves, to protect them from the bugs. 

 Professor Hatch recommends the use of Hammond's 

 "Slug Shot," sprinkled dry on such vegetables as mel- 

 ons, cucumbers, cabbages, etc., to kill the insect pests 

 appearing on these plants. The spray to use on po- 

 tatoes will be described in a later lesson. 



Practical Exercises 



1. To Grow Early Melons or Cucumbers 



Cut several turfs of sod, about six inches square, as 



many pieces as you mean to have hills of melon. If 



the grassy side is firmly matted, slightly loosen the 



fibers, but not enough to allow the turf to fall apart. 



