30 
HINTS AND HELPS 
heads are well formed. The heads are ready for the table 
in from eight to twelve weeks after being planted. Let¬ 
tuce in the summer is not quite as good, but if planted the 
first of July, a fine autumn crop may be obtained. 
Lkek. Sow in rows, twelve inches apart, about April 
25th, cover one inch, and when the plants are well up, 
thin to three inches apart. When eight or ten inches high, 
hill up to blanch the stalks. They will be ready to eat 
from sixteen to twenty weeks after sowing the seed. 
Mustard. White English is the best table variety. 
The leaves are used for greens or for salads. It is culti¬ 
vated the same as Cress. 
Melons. Both Musk and Water Melons are treated 
almost exactly the same as Cucumbers in the garden. For 
cultural directions, see cucumber. 
Okra. For an early crop of Okra, the seeds may be 
planted inside, in March, and the plants treated the same 
as Egg Plant. Out of doors the seeds should be planted 
about May 20th, in rows two and one-half to three feet 
apart. The seeds should be covered one inch and the 
plants should be thinned to eighteen to twenty-four inches 
in the row. The seed pods are stewed and also used in 
soup. It will be ready to eat in twelve to fourteen weeks 
after planting. 
Onions. Onions form a true bulb and are used in 
medicine as well as for table use. Sow the seeds as early 
as the ground can be thoroughly prepared. Hoe a little 
lime or sulphur into the soil where the row is to be. Make 
a furrow one inch, and press down over the seeds with a 
flat board or block. When the little plants are three inches 
high thin them out to three inches apart. 
Parsley. It is cultivated for the leaves which are 
fine and feathery in appearance. It is used for garnishing 
meats and flavoring soups. It is a biennial and will make 
an attractive plant for the window garden all through the 
winter. It is hardy and will stand freezing. It adds to a 
bouquet of flowers. It is better to sow the seeds in a box in 
the window garden. For this purpose mix one part soil and 
