V. 



SEED SAVING 



They must be carefully stored during the 

 winter. Root crops of late planting are most 

 satisfactory for seed. Select those of the best 

 shape, color and size. Cut off all but an inch 

 or two of the leaf stems and store in a frost 

 proof pit or cellar. If a cellar is used protect 

 the roots from withering by putting them in 

 sand, fine soil or sifted coal ashes. They 

 should be kept ver>' slightly moist. Do not 

 store them in a heated cellar. 



Cabbage — In the fall select the best 

 heads, pull up entire plants and store them in 

 a trench. Next spring set out two or more 

 plants as one plant alone rarely produces 

 seed. It may be necessary to cut the head 

 across the top to allow the seed stalk to 

 develop. When the seed pods turn yellow 

 cut off the stalk and lay it on paper in a cool 

 shady place to drj-; early morning is the best 

 time to gather. Rub out the seed when the 

 pod is dry. Do not grow kale, collards, 

 cabbage or kohlrabi — any two of them — in 

 the same garden, as they will cross-fertilize. 



Onions — Seed bearing bulbs should be well 

 rooted. In the fall plant them 3 inches deep. 

 As cold weather approaches co\'er with earth 

 to protect them from freezing. In the spring 

 remove the ridges. The seed stalks should 

 be supported with stakes. \\'hen most of the 

 seed is ripe cut out the seed stalks, dry in the 

 sunshine and rub out the seed. 



Parsnips — These may be left in the ground 

 all winter. In the spring plant selected roots 

 3 to 5 feet apart in row. When seed are ripe 

 cut seed stalk and dry. 



STORAGE OF SEED 



Put heavy seed, such as beans and peas, in 

 cloth bags; smaller seed in paper bags or 

 envelopes. Label each bag carefully, inside 

 and out, as to contents. To protect seed 

 from mice put the bags in perforated tin 

 boxes. A bread box makes an ideal storage 

 place for seed. An upstairs room or attic 

 room, provided it is not warm, is a very 

 good place in which to store seed. The room 

 must be dry and well ventilated to prevent 

 molding. 



Stored seed should be occasionally ex- 

 amined for insects. If insects or weevils are 

 present fumigate with carbon bisulphid, a 

 liquid which vaporizes, producing a gas 

 heavier than air. To fumigate, place the 

 seed in an air-tight receptacle and pour the 

 carbon bisulphid over the seed. Open to air 

 in from 24 to 36 hours. Use an ounce of 

 carbon bisulphid to a bushel of seed. Car- 

 bon bisulphid is very inflammable and fire 

 or flame must not be taken near the fumi- 

 gating receptacle. Disregard of this precau- 

 tion will result in an explosion. 



This manual was prepared by the Commission's experts and is based on their 

 own research and experience, supplemented by information procured from the 

 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Colleges, Experiment 

 Stations, and other sources. 



The National War Garden Commission, wishing to do all within its power to 

 aid the War Industries Board in the very necessary economy in the use of paper, 

 has limited the edition of this book and asks those who receive it in quantity to 

 make the most careful distribution so that the book may reach the hands of 

 none but those who will use it. IF THE INDIVIDUAL RECIPIENT CAN NOT 

 USE THIS BOOK !T IS URGED THAT IT BE HANDED TO SOME ONE WHO 

 WILL USE IT. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Pag..- 



Cold frame and Hotbed 7 



Community gardening 1 



Community storage 24 



Cultivation 11 



DISEASES AND INSECTS 16 



FERTILIZERS — 



Commercial 5 



Compost 5 



Green manure 6 



INDOOR PLANTING 9 



PLANTING — 



Continuous crops 11 



Fall crops 10 



Succession of crops 10 



Table for planting 23 



Time of planting 10 



POTATOES— 



Growing 12 



Diseases and insects 21 



Storage 28 



9 



30 



Page 



POTATOES, SWEET — 



Growing 13 



Storage 29 



SEED — 



Quantity to buy 



Saving for next year 



Testing before planting 



SPRAYING 16 



SOIL 5, 7 



STOR.\GE — 



Apples 29 



Cellar 24 



Outdoor cellar 27 



Pit 26 



Seed 32 



Various methods 27 



TOOLS 7 



