188 



GROWING EARLY PLANTS 



According to our experiments, potatoes should be planted four or 

 five inches deep. I am talking about a good potato soil. If it is a 

 heavy clay soil, very deep planting would not be advantageous. 



GROWING EARLY PLANTS 

 E. H. Hallett, St. Johnsbury Center, Vermont 



The question of growing early plants is a very important one. 

 We all well know that the success of any business depends upon the 

 finished product. Many failures of success are caused by not start- 

 ing right. We know that the expert dairyman of today, if he wishes 

 to place before the world record-breakers in the production of milk 

 and butter, must be allowed the handling of these cows from the time 

 of birth. The most careful attention must be given in both care, 

 feed, and training. By so doing, the best results can be obtained. 



The shepherd, if he wishes to place upon the market at an earlier 

 date than his competitor his choice meat, must have the handling 

 of the young lamb by adding such food and care above that which 

 its mother can give as to make the most rapid growth, not allowing 

 even one day to pass without an increase of weight. 



We might further speak of life and animal growth, but it is not 

 necessary. This being true, we must remember that plant life is 

 exactly the same. All young plants must have care and attention, 

 for they also eat, drink and breathe, and if we produce those that will 

 furnish us a bountiful crop, they must be treated correctly. 



THE GREENHOUSE 



Now then, this work should be especially conducted by those 

 who love plant life, those able to detect in an instant any fungous 

 disease, insect pests, or improper temperature, or other causes that 

 will retard natural growth. In growing early plants in the North, 

 we are somewhat handicapped, being obliged to furnish artificial 

 heat. After having started and grown plants in the dwelling house 

 for several years, and found that the temperature varies more than 

 it should, that many drafts are destructive, that the air is generally 

 too dry, and there is a lack of a sufficient amount of sunlight, I am 

 prepared to state to all gardeners, whether large or small, that a 

 greenhouse is absolutely necessary to obtain the best results. Please 

 do not misunderstand me in saying that a greenhouse is absolutely 



