AMERICAN-GROWN PAPRIKA. 15 
application of nitrate of soda is made. The plants are very delicate 
and require daily attention. They are liable to " damp off " and 
should be given as much air as possible by removing the frames on 
days when the weather is pleasant. By May the plants are large 
enough to transplant to the field. Of course, not all the plants are 
ready to come off at the same time, since some are likely to be much 
more advanced than others. A period of about six weeks will elapse, 
during which time the developing plants can be pulled from the 
bed. This bed, although satisfactor}^ in every way, is perhaps more 
expensive than some growers could afford. As a substitute for this 
there may be recommended a construction similar in every way, ex- 
cept that the boards forming the front side of the bed need not be 
brought more than 3 inches above the level of the ground, and on 
the rear side to a height of about 12 inches above the level. Instead 
of expensive glass frames a medium-weight canvas or tobacco cloth 
may be used. 
In selecting a location for the plant bed the warmest possible place 
should be chosen, preferably a southern exposure, and the slant of 
the bed should be to the south. 
PLANTING TO THE FIELD DIRECT. 
A plant bed is not alwa}s necessaiw, since in the case of an early 
spring the seed may be planted directly in the field and receive a 
start sufficiently early to yield a good crop. It is well, however, to 
use a plant bed as a safeguard, since the main point to be sought in 
pepper growing is to give the crop an early start. This is necessary 
in order to have a longer fruit-bearing period with a consequent 
heavier yield. The main difficulty experienced in these experiments 
has been that of getting the crop started sufficiently early. 
A seed drill is the best means of planting directly in the field. 
The seed should be drilled in the rows 3 to 4 feet apart and should 
not be covered more than an inch deep. *With good weather condi- 
tions the seed should sprout in from two to three weeks. When the 
plants are from 2 to 3 inches high they should be thinned to 12 to 18 
inches apart, and plants should be set in any missing places. (Fig. 6.) 
This method is not so satisfactory as that of using the plant bed 
as a source for plants, since by the plant-bed method the plants are 
up a month earlier and secure the benefits of a longer growing season. 
CULTIVATION. 
The cultivation of paprika pepper is in almost every respect simi- 
lar to that of other field crops of the vicinity. A deep preparation 
of the soil is essential, and frequent shallow cultivations are necessary. 
The crop is cultivated longer than most crops, owing to its longer 
