18 HENDERSON'S GARDEN GUIDE AND RECORD. 



HOW TO GROW 



" Prizetaker '' Vegetables* 



THOSE who take pride in growing extra fine specimen vegetables for exhibition, 

 their own satisfaction or to surprise their friends, may find some of the following 

 hiats an aid. The general details of ciilture for different vegetables given under 

 their respective headings should be followed, supplemented by the following: 



For exhibition vegetables the soil should be more carefully prepared than usual, 

 dug deeper, "trenched" if possible, with an abundance of well-rotted manure so thoroughly 

 incorporated with the soil that there will be no lumps. If such preparation can be accom- 

 plished the preceding fall the soil wUl be richer and in a more mellowed, friable condition 

 than is possible with spring preparation. Deep, rich, mellow, under-drained soil is a prime 

 factor in producing best vegetables. Other essentials are frequent cultivation not only 

 to keep che weeds down but to form a surface mulch to conserve the soil's moisture. Grow 

 the plants further apart than in ordinary garden culture and do not permit growth to be 

 checked from lack of water during dry spells. Keep the plants well nourished with occa- 

 sional applications of liquid manure, or, sprinkle about each plant and rake in about a 

 tablespoonful of high-grade fertilizer once a week. 



OTHER CULTURAL DETAILS AS FOLLOWS: 



ASPARAGUS. — The largest well-blanched Asparagus is produced by placing small drain- 

 tiles or similar tubes over the strongest-appearing stalks and filling in with soil. When 

 ready to cut, Uft the tiles and the soil will fall away. 



BEANS. — Stimulate growth before bloom by sprinkling about each plant a tablespoonful 

 of nitrate of soda and rake in. When plants are fairly in bloom, apply occasionally 

 in same way and same quantity some commercial fertilizer high in potash, or water 

 with liquid manure. When pods begin to swell, pinch off the tops of the branches and 

 remove all but 3 or 4 pods to a stalk. 



BEETS, see Root Crops. 



CABBAGE and CAULIFLOWER. — Sprinkle around each plant and rake in once a 

 week a tablespoonful of commercial fertilizer, or water with liquid manure. 



CARROT, see Root Crops. 



CORN. — Each plant to stand 3 feet apart in the row; allow only 1 ear to a plant; feed with 

 Uquid manure once a week or rake in a tablespoonful of fertilizer about each plant. 



CUCUMBER, see Vines. 



EGG PLANT. — Allow only two fruits to a plant and feed with liquid manure or fertilizer 

 as previously advised, 



MELON, see Vines. 



ONION. — Sow the seed thinly and transplant the seedlings 4 to 6 inches apart in extra 

 rich soil and cultivate frequently. 



PARSLEY. — Select the most perfectly curled, short-stemmed plants. Shade from sun 

 after a rain to hold the color. 



PARSNIPS, see Root Crops. 



PEPPER. — Thin out the branches to admit stm and air; allow but few fruits to a plant. 



PUTVDPKINS and SQUASH, see Vines. 



TOMATO. — Prune plants of superfluous growth and allow but two or three fruits to set 

 on a branch. 



TURNIP , see Root Crops, 



ROOT CROPS. Beet, Carrot, Parsnip, Turnip, Ruta Baga.— The soil if stony or 

 pebbly should be dug out and sifted as deep as the roots are supposed to grow so 

 they will come out smooth and free from surface indentations. The holes 2 to 3 feet 

 deep and 3 inches or more in diameter for long-rooted beets,. carrots, parsnips, etc., 

 are best made with a posthole auger or digger, though a crowbar or spade may be 

 utilized. Fill in with sifted soil mixed with pulverized, rotted manure. Sow 5 or 

 6 seeds in each and leave but one strong seedling in each hole, 



VINES. Cucumbers, Melons, Pumpkins, Squash. — Make the hills further apart 

 than advised for ordinary culture; incorporate plenty of well-rotted manure with the 

 soil; leave but one or two of the strongest seedlings in a hill. When vines are of suffi- 

 cient size pinch off ends of leaders and keep all superfluous growth removed. Pull a 

 little soil over each joint of runners feeding fruit so they may take root. After the 

 fruit has set, pull off all but one or two of the strongest to each lateral. Feed with 

 liquid manure or fertilize as previously advised. 



