VEGETABLES GROWN FOR THEIR FRUIT AND SEED 27 



Practically all of the root crops, with the possible exception 

 of the sweet potato, do the best in a cool moist climate. 

 Therefore, to grow the best root crops they should be either 

 planted in sections of the country that have these conditions 

 or during the seasons that have a suitable climate. As a 

 rule, then, these crops are grown as early spring or fall crops, 

 thus making use of the climate that best suits their develop- 

 ment. 



Vegetables Grown for Their Foliage. — This class of vegetables 

 consists of such plants as the lettuce, spinach, cabbage, 

 brussels sprouts, kale and many more. The edible parts of 

 this class consists principally of the leaves and stems. The 

 requirements for this group are somewhat varied. A few 

 general conditions are common to all. The best quality is 

 invariably produced when these plants are grown rapidly 

 and liberally supplied with moisture. Plenty of water, 

 together with sufficient plant food, causes rapid development, 

 which produces brittle, crisp leaves. Slow growth and lack 

 of moisture make a tough, stringy product of poor quality. 



The soil requirements are varied. As a rule the group 

 is more or less cosmopolitan, growing on either heavy or 

 light soils. The lighter soils produce earlier plants while 

 the heavier soils will usually grow larger amounts. 



The uses of this group are many. Some plants are used 

 as salads, others for garnishing and a few as potherbs. Many 

 of them are eaten raw while a few are cooked. This class is 

 very important and serves a variety of purposes. 



Vegetables Grown for Their Fruit and Seed. — The vegetables 

 included in this group are those grown for either their fruit 

 or their seed. A few of the most common ones are the bean, 

 pea, sweet corn, cucumber, melon, squash, egg-plant, tomato 

 and some others. This group includes some of our most 

 valuable food plants. The dried beans and peas are highly 

 nutritious and should be found in every garden. In addition 

 to the high food value found in this group, we also have some 

 of the most palatable and the finest flavored fruits. There is 

 perhaps nothing that can equal a fine sweet musk melon 

 or a juicy watermelon, while the sweet corn, tomato and 

 cucumber have no rival in their class. 



