CHAPTER XI 



COOL SEASON VEGETABLES THAT ENDURE SUMMER 



HEAT. 



The crops included in this group will thrive best in cool weather 

 of spring and fall. They are all hardy and will stand considerable 

 frost of either spring or fall. Some will even live through the 

 winter. The special advantage which members of this group have 

 over the crops included in Chapter X, is their ability to withstand 

 the heat of mid-summer. Most of them will grow reasonably well 

 throughout the summer if enough moisture is provided. 



Onions. — As already suggested, the onion group includes the 

 true onions, leeks, garlic, challots and chives. The main crop of 

 onions to be harvested in late summer or fall and to be stored as 

 dry onions over winter is grown from seed sown in early spring in 

 very rich black loam as free from weeds as possible. If the soil is 

 somewhat sandy and well drained it will warm up earlier and the 

 seed will sprout better. An abundance of organic matter in the 

 soil aids drainage, as well as helps preserve the moisture during the 

 dry season. If horse tillage is to be used during the growing season 

 the rows are to be drilled about eighteen to twenty inches apart. 

 If wheel hoes (Fig. 72) are to be used instead of horses, a little less 

 space is required. The seed is drilled thick enough to make the 

 plants stand about two inches apart in the row (Fig. 71), but 

 usually thinning is required. If a little radish or turnip seed is 

 planted at the same time the rows will be more quickly seen and 

 cultivation may begin before the weeds become so thick as to 

 smother the crop. Thorough cultivation to preserve moisture and 

 stimulate growth is required. A commercial fertilizer containing 

 considerable potash and phosphoric acid with a small percentage 

 of nitrogen is commonly used. This can be applied soon after the 

 crop is up and cultivated into the soil with a wheel hoe or garden 

 rake. Continuous rapid growth is desired. This is attained by 

 frequent cultivation (Fig. 72.) When the growing season is about 

 over they should not be cultivated. A second growth should not 

 be allowed by late cultivation or by late rains. The bulbs may be 

 pulled and dried to prevent the second growth. Pulling is usually 

 done when the tops begin to die. If the weather is dry and hot the 

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