312 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
fertilizers can always be used with profit. It is customary 
to use a large percentage of nitrogen. Four per cent 
can probably be used to advantage in all instances and 
6 or 8 per cent would be profitable under certain con- 
ditions. Eight or 1 ten per cent of each of the mineral 
elements should be used. An excellent plan is to use at 
planting a 4-8-10 fertilizer, and top-dress with nitrate of 
soda at intervals of two or three weeks to obtain addi- 
tional nitrogen. The first application of nitrate should 
not be made until the plants are well established, and 
then 150 pounds an acre should be distributed along the 
rows. Two hundred pounds may be used at each subse- 
quent application. Soft or pithy stalks are sometimes 
attributed to too much nitrogen. It is claimed that the 
free use of the mineral elements will counteract this 
effect, producing firmer stalks. Many intensive growers 
use two tons or more of high-grade fertilizer to the acre, 
while a ton is a common application, but inadequate for 
the largest returns. Lime is also very beneficial. 
407. Planting. — As previously explained, plants for the 
early crop should not be set in the open until after 
danger of severe frosts. In most sections planting should 
not occur until May 10 or 15. Strong, vigorous plants 
properly set at this time should produce a marketable 
crop by August 1. The late plants may be set the latter 
part of June and throughout the month of July, depend- 
ing upon variety, soil, weather and climatic conditions. 
If the plants are more than 5 inches high at the time 
of transplanting, it is an advantage to clip the tops. This 
operation is sometimes repeated several times in the seed 
bed to induce stockiness. Root clipping is also practiced. 
The ground should be fine, smooth and moist before 
transplanting is begun. It should also be fairly firm and 
marked at the required distances. Various forms of 
markers are employed, but shoe and roller markers are 
most popular. The roller markers may have pegs to 
