312 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



fertilizers can always be used with profit. It is customary 

 to use a large percentage of nitrogen. Four per cent 

 can probably be used to advantage in all instances and 

 6 or 8 per cent would be profitable under certain con- 

 ditions. Eight or ten per cent of each of the mineral 

 elements should be used. An excellent plan is to use at 

 planting a 4-8-10 fertilizer, and top-dress with nitrate of 

 soda at intervals of two or three weeks to obtain addi- 

 tional nitrogen. The first application of nitrate should 

 not be made until the plants are well established, and 

 then 150 pounds an acre should be distributed along the 

 rows. Two hundred pounds may be used at each subse- 

 quent application. Soft or pithy stalks are sometimes 

 attributed to too much nitrogen. It is claimed that the 

 free use of the mineral elements will counteract this 

 effect, producing firmer stalks. Many intensive growers 

 use two tons or more of high-grade fertilizer to the acre, 

 while a ton is a common application, but inadequate for 

 the largest returns. 



407. Planting. — As previously explained, plants for the 

 early crop should not be set in the open until after 

 danger of severe frosts. In most sections planting should 

 not occur until May 10 or 15. Strong, vigorous plants 

 properly set at this time should produce a marketable 

 crop by August i. The late plants may be set the latter 

 part of June and throughout the month of July, depend- 

 ing upon variety, soil, weather and climatic conditions. 



If the plants are more than 5 inches high at the time 

 of transplanting, it is an advantage to clip the tops. This 

 operation is sometimes repeated several times in the seed 

 bed to induce stockiness. 



The ground should be fine, smooth and moist before 

 transplanting is begun. It should also be fairly firm and 

 marked at the required distances. Various forms of 

 markers are employed, but shoe and roller markers are 

 most popular. The roller markers may have pegs to 



