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276 Gardening 
What can you say of the general characteristics and cultural 
needs of the vine crops? How should cucumbers be grown? 
Name some of the pumpkins and squashes and their individual 
characteristics. What special conditions do melons need to grow 
and yield well? Howis okra grown? 
When should the first planting of corn be made? How is it 
planted? What is the best plan for providing a successive yield 
of corn? What is the best way of determining when the ears are 
best for table use? Why should sweet corn be used as soon as 
possible after it has been pulled? : 
How much time does the tomato plant need to grow from 
planting the seed to yielding the first fruit? Describe the planting 
and care of tomatoes. Give a brief summary of the cultural 
requirements of peppers; of eggplants. 
Things to Do and Observe 
« 1. To determine the varieties of the crops that are grown for fruits 
in your neighborhood. Visit every garden in your neighborhood. 
Make a list of each variety of fruit crop grown in gardens, and put 
down the number of gardeners growing each variety. Then find 
the variety that is grown by the greatest number. Ask each 
gardener why he grows this particular variety. For example, if 
you find that of the pole beans Kentucky Wonder is the variety 
most often grown, find out from each grower if he grows this 
variety because he likes the flavor, because it yields abundantly, 
because it is easier to grow than others, or just because other 
gardeners in his neighborhood grow it. 
2. To find the best method of bringing tomatoes, melons, and 
squashes to early fruiting. Inquire of gardeners if they use plant 
protectors in the spring and if they have any special practices 
for causing these plants to fruit early. 
