CAPSICUMS 373 



account of cultivation of capsicums in California, 

 thus : 



1. How Plants are Grown. A hot-bed is made by 

 excavating about 16 in. deep, fill in to within 4 in. of 

 the top with stable manure, tramping down very solidly. 

 Spread about 4 in. of sandy loam over the manure. 

 The seed is sown quite thickly over the loam, and then 

 about | in. of loose sandy soil placed evenly over it, 

 and all kept damp. When the plants have two or three 

 leaves, thin to 1^ in. each way. The plants must be 

 watered while in the hot-bed by sprinkling. 



Soil and Preparation. Eich sandy soil is the 

 best for the chili pepper. It should be ploughed deeply, 

 and be put in a state of thorough cultivation. Kidges 

 should be made 3 ft. apart, and the plants set 2^ ft. 

 apart on the ridges. All plants should be on a water- 

 line, and to get this the ridges should be made high 

 enough to let the water run down the furrows and the 

 plants placed about 2 in. above the water-mark. This 

 ensures every plant receiving water when irrigated. 

 Plant as soon as danger from frost is past. 



Cultivation. Frequent cultivation is necessary 

 until the plants get too large to allow of a cultivator 

 and horse passing between the furrows. All weeds should 

 be pulled out. When the plants are set as above noted 

 all the ridge will be on one side. This must be worked 

 down with a cultivator, and then a plough used to throw 

 earth on either side of the furrow, so that the plants 

 will be midway on the ridge. 



Irrigation. While the plants are small, water will 

 be needed about once in twenty days, but as they get 

 larger it will be required as often as once a week, though 

 always in small quantities. The plants seem to have no 

 deep roots, consequently the surface soil must be kept 

 damp. 



Picking. The field should be gone over about once 

 a week after the peppers begin to ripen, all that are 

 fully ripe being taken off. Great care must be taken to 

 pick all the stalks with the pepper. They should be 



