Guide to better gardening. . . vegetables 
from sunlight to make sure of the desirable white curd. 
Gather the tops of the leaves together loosely as soon 
as the heads begin to form. In shutting off the light, 
do not cramp the heads. 
THINNING CA RROTS—When the young plants are a 
few inches tall, thin them to stand one to three inches 
apart. 
CELERIAC. Sow seed at the same season and give 
the same treatment as celery. Transplant to moist, 
rich soil in rows two feet apart and six inches apart in 
the row. Give thorough culture. It is not necessary 
to earth up or “handle’’ the plants. When the roots are 
two inches in diameter, they are ready for use. 
CELERY. Celery seed will sprout at comparatively 
low temperatures, but it needs constant and abundant 
moisture. The soil for starting plants should be fine 
and loose, and the seed must be covered only 144 inch 
deep. It takes about two weeks for seed to sprout. For 
fall and winter use in the North seed may be planted 
from March 15 to May 15. When seedlings have three 
_or four leaves well started, prick out about three inches 
apart each way. Keep the soil moist and transplant 
-to open ground when plants are 75 to 90 days old. 
These carrots stand at about the right distance apart to 
allow each root to grow to full size without crowding. 
11 
CHINESE CABBAGE. This vegetable is easily raised 
as a succession crop. The plants can be set out in the 
rows which have been occupied by earlier vegetables. 
Do not plant too early. 
COLLARDS. Sow the seed thickly in rows in rich 
ground, transplanting when about four inches in height; 
or sow where the plants are to remain and when well- 
started thin to two or three feet apart in the row. 
CORN. Plant when all danger of frost is past, and the 
ground is warm and dry. If planted in cold, wet soil, 
the kernels will rot. To plant in so-called ‘‘hills,’’ make 
a shallow hole in the soil with the corner of the hoe and 
drop in six kernels. Cover with about two inches of 
fine soil and press down firmly. Have the “‘hills’? about 
four feet apart and in rows about two and one-half 
feet apart. When the plants are six inches high, thin out 
all except three or four of the strongest in each hill. To 
plant in rows like beans or peas, make a shallow trench 
with the hoe, drop in the kernels three to four inches 
apart, and cover about two inches deep. When plants 
are well up, thin to six or eight inches apart. 
CUCUMBER. Delay planting until all danger of frost 
is past. Soil should be warm, fairly moist, and loose. 
Seed must be covered about one inch deep. Plant in 
‘‘hills,’’ (see Corn), dropping eight or ten seeds to the 
hill. When six inches tall, thin, leaving three or four 
strong plants to a hill. 
EGG PLANT. This semi-tropical fruit can be grown 
very successfully in the northern states if the plants are 
started indoors in flats or in a hotbed, and are not trans- 
planted to open ground until soil is warm and all dan- 
ger of frost is past. Shade young plants from hot sun 
and spray with paris green or arsenate of lead to pro- 
tect from potato bugs. 
ENDIVE. For early use sow seed in spring; for later 
‘supply sow in June or July. When well started, thin 
the plants eight inches to one foot apart in the row. 
When nearly grown, tie the outer leaves together over 
the center to blanch the heart of the plant. Two or 
three successive plantings during July will provide en- 
dive for winter use. Just before killing frosts in fall, dig 
the plants, being careful to take plenty of soil with the 
roots and to avoid injury to the leaves. Pack closely to- 
gether and store in dark cellar. 
KALE OR BORECOLE. Sow the seed one-fourth to 
one-half inch deep in rows two or three feet apart. When 
the plants come up, thin them so that they are from 
eight to twelve inches apart in the row. 
KOHL RABI. As early in spring as possible, sow the 
seed in rows in light, rich soil. When plants are well 
established, thin three to six inches apart in the row. 
Plant at intervals of ten days for a succession of bulbs 
until hot weather, after which they fail to grow. 
LEEK. Sow in rows early in spring, covering one-half 
inch deep. Thin the plants two to four inches apart 
in the row and draw the earth about them when culti- 
vating. If you desire very white and tender leeks, 
transplant when about six inches tall, set four inches 
apart in trenches about two feet apart, and gradually 
earth up like celery. 
