142 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



the spring, the earlier fall and winter crops must be planted 

 to have time to develop before freezing weather. The dates 

 at which it is safe to plant various winter crops in the 

 vicinity of New York are given in suggestions to follow. 

 In the latitude of Philadelphia planting may be delayed a 

 few days or a week; in that of Boston planting should be 

 done a week or ten days earHer. 



It is highly important to select varieties suitable for late 

 sowings. An error in this respect is much more serious than 

 in the case of spring sowings, as it may result in the loss of 

 the entire crop. By using early and extra early varieties it is 

 often possible to work in succession crops that would other- 

 wise be impossible. In rich soil, and where irrigation can be 

 appKed, the time in which a crop can be brought through 

 may be calculated almost to a day. Poor soil or dry weather 

 at the time of sowing may delay things so that the crop will 

 fail to come through on time. 



Planting in Dry Weather 



Success in sowing or transplanting in dry weather fre- 

 quently hinges upon getting the soil pressed firmly round 

 the seeds or plant roots. If a roller is available it may be 

 used in addition to the roller wheel of the seed driU; or 

 before covering, a wheelbarrow hghtly loaded may be run 

 over the rows of seeds, Uke peas and beans, that are planted 

 by hand. If the weather is so dry that water must be used 

 in transplanting apply it in the holes before setting the 

 plants. 



A number of plants, especially those of the cabbage 

 group, are sown early and transplanted. Success with 

 these depends to a great extent upon getting strong, healthy, 

 stocky plants to set out. Sow the seed thinly in rows 

 twelve to fifteen inches apart, or better in hills four to six 

 inches apart. As soon as the seedhngs get their second or 

 third leaves thin out so that only one plant stands in a place. 

 Plants so grown will by transplanting time have stems 

 thicker than a lead pencil. As the flea beetle frequently 



