278 VEGETABLE FORCING 
example, prices for the spring crop are always higher 
early in June than later in the month, and it is important 
to sow in ample time to mature the crop so as to obtain 
the highest prices. 
Seed for the fall crop is usually sown from June 20 to 
July 1. A few growers sow from July 15 to August 1, 
but this is regarded as very late sowing. There should 
be special reasons for starting the fall crop later than 
July 1. The fruit should be well set by the middle of 
November, when there is usually much more cloudy 
weather than earlier in the fall. Seed for the winter crop 
may be sown in succession from August 15 to No- 
vember 15. 
There is considerable difference of opinion regarding 
the best time to sow for the spring crop. Many of the 
most extensive growers sow from January 1 to 15. 
Others, who use the earlier varieties, such as Bonny Best 
ard Comet, sow from January 15 to February 1. A promi- 
nent Irondequoit (N. Y.) grower sows Peerless from 
January 15 to February 1. Many growers aim to set the 
plants in the permanent beds about March 1, and such 
plants will begin to ripen fruit the latter part of May or 
early in June. The earliest varieties will give very good 
results if not planted in the beds until March 15 or even 
April 1. 
The commonest practice is to sow the seed in flats or 
beds, as explained in Chapter IX. There should be ample 
space between the rows and the seed should be sown 
thinly so as to induce the growth of stocky plants. It is 
desirable to transplant the seedlings before they show any 
tendency to become spindling. Ordinarily, the first shift 
can be made in three weeks from the date of sowing. The 
plants are generally set in flats or beds and spaced from 
2 to 3 inches apart. When they begin to crowd, a second 
shift is made to 3% or 4-inch pots. Some growers make 
four shifts, the first into flats or small pots, the second into 
3 or 3%-inch pots and the third into 5-inch pots, and 
