ROOT CROP PROJECTS 191 



8. Do you recommend a combination drill and adtivaiorf 



9. Would it -pay you to own a drill? Whyf 



10. Does a drill do the work as well as it can be done by hand? 



9. Companion cropping. — The root crops afford scores of 

 opportunities for companion cropping. All sorts of combinations 

 may be made within this group and also with many other vege- 

 tables. Students will find it interesting to work out different 

 plans of companion cropping, including one or more with root 

 crops. The following references will be found helpful: W-VG: 

 477,478,479,480,481,487. 



10. Thinning the plants. — Gardeners may be so skillful in 

 regulating the rate 

 of seeding that little 

 if any thinning will 

 be required. As a 

 rule, however, some 

 thinning is necessary. 

 It should be done as 

 promptly as possible, 

 or before crowding 

 has caused any of the 

 plants to become 

 spindling. The num- 

 ber of plants to each 

 foot of row depends so much on the varieties selected and 

 the size of the roots desired that it is impossible to give satis- 

 factory general directions. Early button or turnip-shaped radishes 

 may stand an inch apart ; late ones, two inches or more ; early 

 beets, two or three inches ; late varieties, four to six inches ; 

 early carrots, one to two inches ; late ones, three to five inches, 



Fig. 60. — Kohl-rabi must be grown rapidly and 

 harvested promptly to secure the highest quality. 



