328 SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 



earth, or even by making use of small squares of sod, turned 

 upside down, a seed bed is secured. Here the plants may 

 grow for several weeks ; and when the ground has become 

 warm enough, they may be taken to the field and trans- 

 planted, care being taken to avoid disturbing the roots. 

 The precautions to be taken in growing vine crops are : 



(1) Provide well drained, rich soil ; and for watermelons, 

 choose a sandy one if possible. 



(2) Plant the seed in hills far enough apart to allow the 

 vines to spread. The distances should vary from four by 

 four feet for cucumbers to eight by eight feet or more for 

 watermelons. 



(3) Thin out the plants in each hill, leaving only three 

 or four of the strongest ones. 



(4) Remove the first plants that show melon bugs or 

 lice. If this does not check them, spray with Black Leaf 

 40. (Section 230.) 



(5) If the striped beetles appear, cover the vines with 

 small frames of mosquito netting, spray with dilute Bor- 

 deaux mixture and lead arsenate, or dust lightly once or 

 twice a day with sifted ashes, gypsum or other fine powder. 



(6) Cultivate between the rows frequently until the 

 vines become too long. Then use the hoe. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Divide vegetable crops into two groups according to the 

 season in which the seed is planted. Name five vegetables of 

 each group. 



2. Tell fully how to make and manage a hotbed. 



3. What is a cold frame and how is it made ? 



4. Tell briefly how to plant cabbages in the hotbed, harden 

 them in the cold frame and transplant them into the garden. 



5. Divide peas into two classes and tell when each should be 

 sown. 



6. Are onion seeds rather to be chosen than sets for the home 

 garden ? Why ? 



