14 BULLETIN 1427, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Parsnips. — Parsnips succeeded well every year. There was marked improve- 
ment in size with a corresponding increase in yield on rich ground. Improved 
Guernsey seems especially well adapted to the soil at Mandan, but Hollow Crown 
also has given good results. 
Peas. — Both _the smooth and wrinkled varieties of peas have been grown with 
resulting fair to good yields. On the whole, the seasons seem to be too hot and 
dry for this vegetable. There was a marked increase in yield and quality during 
the season of 1924, which was cool, with considerable precipitation in June. 
Dwarf varieties in general have given the best results. Notts Excelsior, Little 
Marvel, Gradus, and Laxtonian of the wrinkled and Alaska of the smooth- 
seeded varieties can be recommended. 
Peppers. — Early varieties of peppers succeed well. Potted plants are earlier 
and generally do better than those taken directly from the seed bed. Ruby 
King, Neapolitan, and Chinese Giant are recommended. 
Potato. — The varieties of potatoes tested at the station have given fair to good 
yields. Sprouted or "greened" tubers were from 10 to 14 days earlier than 
field-planted stock. Early Ohio and Irish Cobbler seem especially adapted to the 
region and are of excellent quality. 
Pumpkin. — The Small Sugar variety of pumpkins produced very good yields 
every year. Other varieties produced fruit, but only a small percentage ripened 
before frost. 
Rutabagas. — The yields of rutabagas have been extremely variable. In general 
the quality of the crop has been rather poor. Golden Neckless and Bangholm 
were of a little better quality than the other varities tested and succeeded best 
on an average. 
Spinach. — Very good results have been obtained with spinach, but generally 
from spring planting only. The Victoria of the Savoy-leaved class and Viroflay of 
the long-stemmed type have given excellent results with ordinary field cultivation. 
Squashes. — Both summer and winter squashes have done very well. Cocozelle 
and Bush Vegetable Marrow are excellent for use in the green state, and Fordhook 
and Golden Hubbard mature sufficiently early for winter storage. 
Sweet corn. — Early varieties of sweet corn succeeded every year. Plantings 
up to the first week in June gave good yields. Golden Bantam heads the list for 
quality and yield; but the Cory varieties, Early June, and Extra Early White 
Mexican were also reliable. 
Tomato. — Good crops of tomatoes have been obtained every year, especially 
from potted, staked, and pruned plants. The Earliana and Ponderosa varieties 
have given the best results, mainly on account of being almost immune to blossom- 
end rot. In fairly moist seasons Chalk's Early Jewel and its strains have done 
very well. 
Watermelons. — Only the very earliest varieties of watermelon can be depended 
on to ripen in the average season. Fordhook Early, Cole's Early, Peerless, and 
Hungarian Honey generally ripened part of the crop. 
SUGGESTIONS FOR GARDENING ON THE NORTHERN GREAT 
PLAINS 
SELECTING THE SITE 
Any piece of land having soil suitable to raise a good crop of corn 
may be selected. A level piece, or one having a very slight slope to 
the north or northeast, is most desirable, as on such ground there is 
less danger of washing out by heavy rains or drying out by hot winds. 
Protection from high winds, especially on the west or northwest side, 
is a very good thing, although perhaps not absolutely necessary. A 
row of Siberian pea trees, Tatarian maples, or Kussian olives on the 
most exposed sides is not difficult to establish and should give the 
desired protection within three or four years from the time of planting. 
An ample area should be provided, in order to allow for wide spacing 
in planting and possible low yields through unforseen circumstances. 
PREPARING THE SOIL 
Deep plowing is very much to be desired. When part of the garden 
is manured the manure should be spread as finely and evenly as 
possible, then disked into the topsoil, and the whole turned under 
