AMERICAN-GROWN PAPRIKA. 15 



application of nitrate of soda is made. The plants are very delicate 

 and require daily attention. They are liable to " damp off " and 

 should be given as much air as possible by removing the frames on 

 days when the weather is pleasant. Ity May the plants are large 

 enough to transplant to the field. Of course, not all the plants are 

 ready to come off at the same time, since some are likely to be much 

 more advanced than others. A period of about six weeks will elapse, 

 during which time the developing plants can be pulled from the 

 bed. This bed, although satisfactory in every way, is perhaps more 

 expensive than some growers could afford. As a substitute for this 

 there may be recommended a construction similar in every way, ex- 

 cept that the boards forming the front side of the bed need not be 

 brought more than 3 inches above the level of the ground, and on 

 the rear side to a height of about 12 inches above the level. Instead 

 of expensive glass frames a medium-weight canvas or tobacco cloth 

 may be used. 



In selecting a location for the plant bed the warmest possible place 

 should be chosen, preferably a southern exposure, and the slant of 

 the bed should be to the south. 



PLANTING TO THE FIELD DIRECT. 



A plant bed is not always necessar}', since in the case of an early 

 spring the seed may be planted directly in the field and receive a 

 start sufficiently early to yield a good crop. It is well, however, to 

 use a plant bed as a safeguard, since the main point to be sought in 

 pepper growing is to give the crop an early start. This is necessary 

 in order to have a longer fruit -bearing period with a consequent 

 heavier yield. The main difficulty experienced in these experiments 

 lias been that of getting the crop started sufficiently early. 



A seed drill is the best means of planting directly in the field. 

 The seed should be drilled in the rows 3 to 4 feet apart and should 

 not be covered more than an inch deep. *With good weather condi- 

 tions the seed should sprout in from two to three weeks. When the 

 plants are from 2 to 3 inches high they should be thinned to 12 to 18 

 inches apart, and plants should be set in any missing places. (Fig. 6.) 



This method is not so satisfactory as that of using the plant bed 

 as a source for plants, since by the plant-bed method the plants are 

 up a month earlier and secure the benefits of a longer growing season. 



CULTIVATION. 



The cultivation of paprika pepper is in almost every respect simi- 

 lar to that of other field crops of the vicinity. A deep preparation 

 of the soil is essential, and frequent shallow cultivations are necessary. 

 The crop is cultivated longer than most crops, owing to its longer 



