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. 



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. 



THINNING CARROTS— When the young plants are a 



jew 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 34 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. 



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. 



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