AN IDEAL SEED ORDER FOR A HALF ACRE 
VEGETABLE GARDEN 
ADOLPH KRUHM 
B HAT shall I plant on that half acre patch so that it will 
give me the greatest returns on my investment in labor, 
soil, and seeds?” This ever recurring question never 
grows old, and can never be answered twice in the 
same way because so many factors enter into the proper solu- 
tion of each individual’s problem. In answering it for several 
thousand readers of The Garden Magazine, 1 am largely 
governed by the law of averages in likes and dislikes of specific 
vegetables; also 1 am assuming that fairly normal soil and 
weather conditions prevail. 
In appraising likes and dislikes, I want to go on record as 
believing that the last ten years have seen a complete readjust- 
ment of ideas regarding the value and usefulness of certain 
vegetables. Ten years ago, Lettuce was looked upon merely 
as a garnishing for salads and to make dishes look pretty. 
To-day we know that it brings to our table an element more 
necessary to our physical welfare than either protein, fat, or 
carbohydrates, in that it supplies us with the essential vitamines. 
The same may be said of Tomatoes and Summer Squash, two 
utterly unrelated vegetable crops, yet carrying the same 
beneficial elements so important to the human system. 
The Factors That Really Govern 
QOME vegetables will not thrive in cool soil and seasons, 
no matter what is done to encourage them; others will not 
do well with the arrival of warm days, no matter how good the 
I T soil nor how thorough the culture; still others will just take their 
own time about getting ready, regardless of soil, season, 
weather or anything — so there you are! The crux of the situa- 
tion is a correct understanding of the different vegetables as 
individuals that are governed just as much by likes and dislikes, 
environment, heredity, etc. as human plants! 
Consequently, make up your mind what you want and when 
you want it and then study if the thing can be done! For 
instance, no matter what you do or plant, you cannot hope to 
gather a fine crop of Peas in this country during the month of 
August. Peas are distinctly a cool season crop, so do not waste 
soil, time, and seeds attempting the impossible. Analyzing 
vegetables, as classes, in that light, we have: 
A — The Short Season, Cool Season Crops 
B — The Quick Growing, All Season Crops 
C — The Slow Growing, Long Season Crops 
D — The All Season Crops (of Minor Importance) 
Personal dislikes, or lack of space, or lesser usefulness will, 
in nine cases out of ten, cause Egg Plants, Peppers, Melons and 
Pumpkins as well as Parsnips and Salsify to be classed in group 
D. Unless you positively prefer them to vegetables more im- 
portant from a nutritive standpoint, and unless you have the 
correct soil and climatic conditions, waste no time on them 
within the limitations of half an acre. The possible exception to 
this is the Pepper of which a few dozen plants will provide an 
abundance of fruits useful for seasoning or stuffing. 
It is, I believe, the ambition of every gardener to have an 
abundance of green peas just as long as the season permits — 
hence these suggestions: — sow a liberal quantity of Early Sur- 
prise or any other Smooth Pea as soon as the ground can be 
dug and raked. About May first, in the latitude of New York, 
sow Little Marvel, Thomas Laxton, and Potlach, maturing 
respectively in 60, 70, and 85 days. To fill the gap between the 
two early kinds and Potlach make a second sowing of both 
Little Marvel and Thomas Laxton a week after the first planting 
— both at the same time. 
The Quick Growing All Season Crops, Class B 
T WO possibilities are here offered : — ( 1 ) they may be planted 
in a large number of varieties becoming ready in succes- 
sion; or (2) successive plantings of one sort may be made. In 
the case of Beets, Carrots, Kohlrabi and Summer Squash 
successive sowings of a limited number of varieties or even of 
one and the same kind is perfectly satisfactory. Beans, Corn, 
Lettuce, and Radishes will require at least several varieties; 
in the case of Lettuce and Radishes as many varieties as are 
demanded by the length of the season during which you wish to 
enjoy them. Radishes and Lettuce varieties that thrive in 
June are utterly useless during July, and those that do well in 
July will fail utterly during August. In the recommendations 
of specific varieties named below, you will find guiding notes 
that will help solve this problem. 
The Slow Growing Long Season Crops, Class C 
T HERE is really no problem at all with the long season 
crops since the seeds must be started early in the spring 
or they will not yield any crops. The exception to this we find 
in the Cabbage family embracing Brussels-sprouts, Cauli- 
flower, Kale, and common Cabbage, all of which may be grown 
either as an early spring or late fall crop. With Onions it is 
best to sow one kind for early use, one for the principal supply, 
and one of superior keeping quality. Tomatoes are best 
grown in several kinds, maturing in succession. Thus, when 
Bonny Best becomes exhausted, Globe is at its best; and when 
Globe reaches the zenith of its usefulness Stone and Matchless 
save the day. Swiss Chard and New Zealand Spinach continue 
the supply of greens when Spinach and Mustard go on a strike 
because of hot weather. 
The Desirable Varieties 
H ERE is a list of varieties suggested in quantities (on a basis 
of five people’s needs) that will help solve the problem of 
perfectly working the half acre garden. There are, of course, 
other varieties that will give equal results as to time, etc., and 
the list may be changed, provided the substitutes are made by 
varieties of the same type. Your seedsman will help here. 
The Short Season Crops of Class A 
T HESE embrace the vegetables of which complete sowings 
should be made of varieties maturing in rapid succession or 
repeated sowings of kinds becoming ready quickly. Peas, 
Spinach, Mustard, and Endive will not do their best after the 
thermometer begins to register 75 0 to 8o° between 1 1 a. m. 
and 3 p. m. To get the most out of Spinach, Mustard and Endive, 
sow them frequently in quantities just large enough to meet 
your needs. All three make delicious greens either separately 
or mixed. 
Peas 
4 lbs. Early Surprise — for extra early 
4 lbs. Little Marvel 
4 lbs. Thomas Laxton 
4 lbs. Potlach 
For | 
succession 
Sow again 
a week apart. 
Spinach and Greens 
£ lb. Long Season Triumph 
1 oz. Mustard, Broad Leaved 
1 oz. Endive, Giant Green Curled 
1 oz. Swiss Chard Lucuilus ) The reliable “cut and come again’ 
2 oz. New Zealand Spinach j stand-bys. 
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