1436 Ture VecerasLe Inpusrry 1n New York STATE 
between the next pair of rows, and another method which 
requires a solid bed of rows one foot apart. There seems 
to be very little difference in the plants produced. There is a 
variation in the amount of seed to be used per rod, the difference 
varying from an ounce of seed to five rods, to an ounce of seed to 
ten or twelve rods. Some men advise the use of one ounce of 
seed to 200 feet of drill. Where a large distance is given be- 
tween plants, the plants grow short and stocky and have leaves 
which are in the way when using the planker. When brought 
very close together, the plants are spindly and weak, and not 
desirable. So the best distance for planting seems to be an ounce 
of seed to about ten rods. 
The depth of sowing should be carefully regulated, from one- 
third to one-half inch being deep enough. In order to prevent 
crusting or baking of the soil over the seed, thus hindering its 
coming up, fine sand should be strewn along the row. If this 
sand is dry, it will resist all attempt to bake. It takes from six 
to eight weeks to grow plants of suitable size for transplanting. 
Generally this is about one week longer than for growing cab- 
bages. The time of sowing the seed varies from the first of May 
to the middle of June. Where a late crop is desirable, even later 
plantings may be made. 
It is quite advisable to make more than one sowing, because 
it offers an opportunity to choose the most favorable time for 
transplanting. It also aids in forming a succession in the har- 
vest, thus helping in a better distribution of labor. Clean culture 
is necessary during the growing period of the plants, the soil 
being cultivated lightly two to five times to prevent crusting. If 
weeds develop in the row, it is best to remove them. At the time 
of transplanting, the plants should cover the bed with a growth 
from six to eight inches high. The growth should be firm and 
stocky —a sappy, weak growth is not desirable. Careful watch 
should be kept for insects or diseases in the seed bed and suitable 
remedies applied at this time. 
TRANSPLANTING 
The land used for transplanting should have been plowed early. 
In some cases on Lond Island a crop of early potatoes is grown 
