DANDELION. 113 



gardens it is grown by the acre, yielding a handsome profit. 

 Like celery it is best when grown rapidly on rich sandy loam- 



Sow the seed in early spring in drills 12 to 15 inches apart 

 and cover 1-4 to 1-2 inch deep. As the young plants are small 

 and dark colored, it is well to mix a few radish or lettuce seeds 

 with the dandelion seed. Give the same culture as for carrots 

 during the summer, except that the plants require thinning to 

 8-10 inches apart, and the following spring the leaves will be fit 

 to cut. They are best when partially blanched by placing a 

 covering of boards or boughs over the rows, thus modifying 

 the bitter taste and rendering them tender and superior to 

 those growing wild or in grass land. The plants are prepared 

 and marketed the same as spinach, and may be grown profitably 

 at 50 cents per bushel, though the price is frequently much 

 higher. 



In beds for forcing the seed may be sown in rows 6 inches 

 apart, or plants may be removed from the field. Seedlings are 

 usually best. Except in a limited way, the forcing of the 

 plants could never be recommended, as other plants mature so 

 much more quickly. 



There are but few varieties of dandelions listed. The most 

 important are the French Garden and the Improved Thick 

 Leaved. 



