VEGETABLE GARDENING 
4T6 
it generally pays to grow strong seedlings which will 
mature peppers at the earliest possible date. 
571. Fertilizing. — Rotten stable manures may be used 
advantageously, especially in rather thin soil. Excessive 
amounts of nitrogen should be avoided, although it is 
important to supply the plants with an abundance of 
available nitrogen early in the season. The mineral ele- 
ments are needed to encourage fruiting. From 600 to 
1,000 pounds to the acre of a 4-8-10 fertilizer will pro- 
duce satisfactory results in most soils. 
572. Planting.— The plants should not be set in the 
open ground until the weather is settled and there is no 
further danger of frost. Fifteen to 18 inches between 
the plants in the row will furnish sufficient space for 
most varieties, and there should be about 30 inches be- 
tween rows if the crop is to be cultivated with horse 
implements. Ridging is practiced to some extent to help 
support the plants when heavily laden with fruit. 
573. Harvesting and marketing. — Peppers will remain 
on the plants after they have reached maturity, with no 
danger of deterioration, much longer than eggplants or 
tomatoes. They may be sold green or after they have 
turned red. Baskets of various sizes and styles are used 
in packing. Hampers of the bushel and half-barrel type 
(Figure 48, b) are in common use. The crop is also 
packed in barrels and in six-basket carriers (Figure 48, 
a). Yields and returns have a wide range, but the yields 
should run 400 bushels per acre and the net returns 
should be not less than $100 an acre. 
PUMPKIN (Cucurbita) 
574. Culture. — For cultural directions, see Squash 
(page 427) and Watermelon (page 467). Winter Lux- 
ury, Small Sugar, and the Cushaws are the best varieties 
grown by commercial gardeners. 
