Vegetables loith Edible Fruits 211 



in the quantity of roselle that is produced in the field 

 as a whole. 



Cultivation of roselle. 



A sandy loam suits roselle best. The fields are pre- 

 pared just as in the case of eggplants, tomatoes, or peppers. 

 The rows are laid off about 4 feet apart. The fertilizer 

 should be spread down the row, having the field in 

 thorough tilth and cultivation before setting out the 

 plants. 



No definite experiments have been made to show the 

 exact fertilizer needs of this crop. Heavy crops have been 

 produced by the use of ordinary vegetable fertilizers. 

 It is quite probable, therefore, that the formula ordinarily 

 used for vegetables will be found approximately correct. 

 The amount used to the acre should be about one-half 

 or one-fourth of what is ordinarily used. If the quantity 

 ordinarily used for vegetables be applied, the plants grow 

 exceedingly rank and are apt to shed many of the early 

 bolls. 



The plants are set 18 inches or 2 feet apart in the row. 

 The cultivation is carried on just as for garden or other 

 vegetable crops. By plowing the field frequently and 

 close to the plants, all necessity for hoeing is avoided. If, 

 however, the field happens to be unusually foul, it may be 

 necessary to hoe between the plants. As soon as the 

 plants have reached a size of eighteen inches or two feet 

 in height, the abundant leafage will shade the ground 

 so completely that no more hoeing will be needed. Four 

 or five plowings in ordinary good vegetable land will be 

 found sufficient cultivation. 



