276 Gardening 



What can you say of the general characteristics and cultural 

 needs of the vine crops? How should cucumbers be grown? 

 Name some of the pumpkins and squashes and their individual 

 characteristics. What special conditions do melons need to grow 

 and yield well ? How is okra grown ? 



When should the first planting of corn be made? How is it 

 planted? What is the best plan for providing a successive yield 

 of corn ? What is the best way of determining when the ears, are 

 best for table use ? Why should sweet corn be used as soon as 

 possible after it has been pulled ? 



How much time does the tomato plant need to grow from 

 planting the seed to yielding the first fruit ? Describe the planting 

 and care of tomatoes. Give a brief summary of the cultural 

 requirements of peppers ; of eggplants. 



Things to Do and Observe 



1. To determine the -varieties of the crops that are grown for fruits 

 in your neighborhood. Visit every garden in your neighborhood. 

 Make a list of each variety of fruit crop grown in gardens, and put 

 down the number of gardeners growing each variety. Then find 

 the variety that is grown by the greatest number. Ask each 

 gardener why he grows this particular variety. For example, if 

 you find that of the pole beans Kentucky Wonder is the variety 

 most often grown, find out from each grower if he grows this 

 variety because he likes the flavor, because it yields abundantly, 

 because it is easier to grow than others, or just because other 

 gardeners in his neighborhood grow it. 



2. To find the best method of bringing tomatoes, melons, and 

 squashes to early fruiting. Inquire of gardeners if they use plant 

 protectors in the spring and if they have any special practices 

 for causing these plants to fruit early. 



