OKRA, OR GUMBO 305 



synonymous. While the commercial value of this crop is not 

 great, the demand is constantly increasing. 



Okra may be grown throughout the greater part of the United 

 States, but since the plant is of tropical origin and cannot endure 

 frost, only one crop can be produced during a season in the northern 

 part of the country. In the region of New Orleans successive plant- 

 ings are made and a constant supply is maintained. Pods are 

 produced very soon after the plants start into rapid growth and con- 

 tinue to form for several weeks, especially if all pods are removed 

 while young and no seeds allowed to ripen upon the plants. 



Soil. The soil best suited for okra is a rich mellow loam, plowed 

 deeply and well pulverized. After the seedlings become established, 

 growth is rapid and a large amount of available plant food of a 

 nitrogenous nature is required. Quick-acting commercial fertilizers 

 may be applied in moderate quantities, but should be well mixed 

 with the soil. The same conditions that produce good cotton or 

 corn will be found suitable for the production of okra. 



Planting. Throughout the Northern states, on account of the 

 short season, planting should be done as early as frosts will per- 

 mit, which will usually be corn-planting time. In the Southern 

 states, where a continuous supply of okra is desired, successive 

 seedings four or five weeks apart should be made. Plant in rows 

 3^ feet apart for the dwarf types, and 4^- feet for the larger-growing 

 varieties. Scatter the seed in drills, or plant loosely in hills, as 

 with corn, and cover to a depth of I inch or 2 inches, according to 

 the compactness and moisture content of the soil. The seeds may 

 be planted with any good seed drill, but when placed in hills they 

 should be separated 3 or 4 inches to allow space for the develop- 

 ment of the stems. If the soil is reasonably warm, germination will 

 take place within a few days ; but if there should be a heavy rain- 

 fall in the meantime, the soil will need to be lightly cultivated 

 between the rows, and the crust over the seed broken by means 

 of an iron rake. 



Method of cultivation. As soon as the plants are well established 

 they^ may be thinned to 3 or 4 in a hill, or, if grown in drills, to 

 12 or 14 inches for the dwarf varieties and 18 to 24 inches for the 

 larger ones. Vacant places occurring from failure to germinate may 

 be filled in by transplanting. Cultivate the same as corn or cotton ; 



