260 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



MAY 



Vegetables — Late plantings of bush and pole beans 

 should be planted early this month. 



A fall crop of celery may be started from seed in coldframes 

 or well-watered beds. Shade the young plants from the hot 

 sun. Plants started earlier may be set out now for the early 

 celery crop. 



Lettuce may be started in shady beds if kept well watered. 



Hot-weather vegetables, such as melons, cucumbers and 

 squashes, may be planted. The hills should be six or eight feet 

 apart each way. Use plenty of seed in each hill to allow some 

 for the insects. Thinning may be done, if necessary, when 

 the plants are a few inches high. Very rich compost should 

 be placed in each hill. 



Early hardy vegetables harvested this month will leave 

 vacant places. Fill these with corn, sweet potatoes and late 

 vine crops. 



Late Italian cauliflower, late cabbage and eoUards may be 

 planted in hills three and one-half feet apart each way. Put 

 several seeds in each hill and mark the place with a spoonful 

 of lime on top. The struggle with weeds is easier if you can 

 see the hills from the very first. 



It is still not too late to set out egg-plants, peppers, toma- 

 toes and to plant some Irish potatoes. 



Keep the cultivator going. A garden rake is a good mulch 

 former for summer gardens. . 



Schools, which have a long summer vacation, starting soon, 

 should make plans for this. The early crops may be har- 

 vested and the ground planted with crops to be harvested 

 in the fall after school is open. If no one is to care for the 

 school garden during the summer, sow a small crop of cowpeas 

 or soybeans. 



Flowers. — The vines mentioned last month may be 

 planted this month. Sow the seed where the plants are to 

 remain. Use annual vines to hide unsightly parts of the 



