112 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



In an extensive trial of different fertilizers on sub-irri- 

 gated land in Florida, the following mixture gave excellent 

 results : 



1. Bone-meal 1500 lb. to the acre. 



„ f Fish scrap 2200 lb. to the acre, or 



1 Dried blood 1800 lb. to the acre. 



3. High-grade sulfate of potash .... 650 lb. to the acre. 



Seed-sowing. 



The seed is sown in August or September, or later, at 

 intervals of two weeks, in a coldframe or in a seed-bed, 

 where the young plants can be watered easily and protected 

 from the hot sun. If the seed-bed or coldframe has been 

 used before, new fertilizer must be added before seed is 

 sown. If a new seed-bed has to be made, follow the direc- 

 tions given on page 58. Plenty of fertilizer should be 

 used ; a pound of the formula given may be used to every 

 6 square feet as a fair allowance. Lime or ashes should be 

 used to correct any acidity. The bed should not be located 

 near trees to secure shade from them; they will exhaust 

 the soil before the celery is ready to be transplanted. 



When the bed is level and smooth, shallow drills are 

 made by drawing a stick across, at intervals of about 

 6 inches. The seeds should be scattered thinly. They 

 should then have a very light covering of soil scattered 

 over them, or the whole bed may be covered with wet 

 burlap until the seeds have germinated. Sprinkling with 

 water is needed after the sowing. The young seedlings 

 usually require to be shaded from the sun's rays by a 

 cover of slats or cheese-cloth. The plants should be 

 thinned to about an inch apart when the leaves begin to 



