THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 
CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
ASPARAGUS 
Sow in March or April in rows 1 foot apart, in well manured, 
sandy loam. When the plants are one or two years old, put them into 
permanent beds 3 to 4 feet apart, allowing from 1% to 2 feet between 
the plants in the row. Cover tops firmly with 2 or 3 inches of soil. 
A dressing of salt at the rate of 8 ounces to the square yard is rec¬ 
ommended every spring. Cut off tops in September, and on the ap¬ 
proach of winter, cover with manure or straw. 
STRING BEANS (Green and Wax) 
Start sowing the first week in May and for succession at intervals 
of two weeks until the latter part of August. Plant the Beans 2 inches 
deep and 2 inches apart in the row, the rows about 2 feet apart; hoe 
frequently up to the time of blossoming, but only when the vines are 
perfectly dry, always drawing the soil toward the rows. Avoid too 
deep cultivation. 
BUSH LIMA BBANS 
As soon as danger of frost is over and the soil has become warm, 
sow Beans in rich, light loam in rows 2 feet apart, 3 to 4 inches 
apart in the rows, and cover them to a depth of 1 inch, eyes down. 
Hoe often. A top dressing of good fertilizer or compost will hasten 
maturity and increase yield. 
FOI.B LIMA BBANS 
Pole Beans, especially Limas, are very sensitive to cold and wet, 
and if planted in cold or soggy soil will rot. Set the poles 4 feet 
apart each way and, when danger of frost is past, and the ground 
has become warm,, plant four or five Beans around each pole 1 inch 
deep, eyes down. When the young plants oome up, thin to three to 
the pole; hoe and cultivate freely, and where possible top-dress each 
hill with a small quantity of good fertilizer. 
POLE STRING OR SHELL BBANS 
After settled warm weather, set poles 6 to 8 feet long in rows 4 
feet apart extending north and south, the poles being 3 feet apart 
in the row. Let the poles slant slightly toward the north. Around 
each pole plant five to eight Beans iy 2 to 2 inches deep. When well 
started thin to four plants. 
BEETS AND SWISS CHARD 
Sow in spring, when the apple is in bloom about 1 inch deep in 
rows 1 foot apart. When the plants have made three or four leaves, 
thin to stand 6 inches apart in the rows. Cultivate thoroughly. For 
succession, sow at intervals of about two weeks until August 10th. 
BROCCOLI AND CAUI.iri.OWER 
Sow in hotbeds early in March; when plants are sufficiently large, 
transplant to coldframes and gradually harden by exposure. Set out 
in the open ground as soon as the weather will permit, in rows 3 feet 
apart and 2 feet apart in rows. Give young plants a good watering, 
when set out, with a 100-to-l solution of Nitrate of Soda, and again 
ten days or two weeks later. Cauliflower must be kept growing right 
along without check and must be watered copiously. 
BRUSSELS SPROUTS, COLLARDS AND CABBAGE 
For early crop sow in hotbeds in February or March % inch deep 
and prick out into coldframes to harden. When danger of frost is 
over set out plants in the open in rows 2% feet apart and 2 feet 
apart in the row. For second early crop sow in April and for late 
crop in June. Sow Chinese Cabbage in August—not before. This is 
important. 
CARROT 
For early crops sow % inch deep soon as the ground can be worked 
and for general crop in May. For succession sow at intervals to July. 
Make rows 16 to 18 inches apart, cover seed lightly and firm well in 
the soil. When the plants are large enough to handle, thin to 3 or 
4 inches apart in row. Hoe often. 
CHICORY 
Sow early in spring, in rows about 2 feet apart, in light rich soil. 
When the plants are large enough thin out to 6 inches apart in the 
rows; cultivate often. 
CORN SALAD 
Sow in rows 1 foot apart in early spring and in August, September 
and October. If sown in October the plants require slight protection. 
CELERY 
Sow early in the spring in well prepared soil. Sow seed in rows, 
covering about four times its size and firming well into the soil with 
a board. See that the soil is kept moist till the seeds germinate. 
In July set the plants in rows 3 to 4 feet apart, and 6 inches apart 
in the rows. Draw the earth up to them as they grow, but be care¬ 
ful not to allow any to get into the hearts. 
SWEET CORN 
As soon as the soil is warm, plant about 2 inches deep in hills 3 
to 4 feet apart each way, about six seeds to the hill in well drained 
soil. When the plants come up, thin out and allow the strongest 
three to remain. Hoe often. For succession plant about every ten 
days to the end of July. 
CUCUMBER 
Sow in May in hills 4 feet apart each way, putting in ten seeds to 
the hill and covering about 1 inch deep. When the plants attain 
their fourth leaf, thin out and leave the strongest growing four. For 
a succession continue planting at intervals up to July. 
CRESS 
Sow in spring, as soon as the ground can be worked, in shallow 
drills about 1 foot apart, covering the seed lightly. When the young 
plants are well up, thin to 4 inches apart in the row. For succession 
sow every ten days. 
DANDELION AND ENDIVE 
For early use, sow in April; for late use in June or July. Sow in 
drills, covering lightly. When plants are about 3 inches high thin 
to 1 foot apart in the rows; cultivate well, and when nearly full 
grown, and when plants are dry, begin to blanch by tying the leaves 
together. 
EGGPLANT AND PEPPER 
Sow seeds in hotbed or greenhouse early in March. Put young 
plants, as soon as they are ready to handle, into 2%-inch pots. In 
May or June take out of the pots and plant in the open ground, in 
good rich garden soil, in rows 3 feet apart and 2 to 3 feet apart in 
the row.—Hoe frequently and mulch during warm weather to preserve 
moisture. 
Stable manure should never be used on an eggplant. Give it a com¬ 
mercial fertilizer strong in potash. 
KOHLRABI 
Prepare the ground as for cabbage. Sow early in May, and for 
succession up to July, in rows 1% feet apart, thinning out the plants 
to 12 inches in the row. To preserve over winter treat as turnips. 
KALE 
Sow in April or May, and for winter use in August or September, 
and cultivate the same as cabbage. Cover seed % inch. 
LEEK 
Sow early in April and in mid-summer, in rows 1 inch deep, 1 foot 
apart, and thin 4 to 6 inches in the rows; cultivate often. Draw 
earth up to them as they grow to insure white and tender Leeks. 
LETTUCE 
For early spring outdoor crop sow seed early in March about % inch 
deep, in boxes or hotbeds. Transplant into flats or coldframes to 
harden off. As soon as the ground can be worked, set out in rows, 
1 foot apart, allowing from 8 to 12 inches between the plants; cul¬ 
tivate frequently. For succession sow in the open ground every two 
weeks, from April to August. Soil well enriched with rotted manure 
is necessary, as letture must be grown without check. A 100 to 1 
solution Nitrate of Soda, occasionally, works wonders. 
MUSK MELON AND WATER MELON 
Early in May, when the ground is warm and dry, make hills 4 to 
5 feet apart each way, and sow 8 to 10 seeds in a hill, covering about 
1 inch. When the fourth leaf appears, thin to 3 or 4 plants in a 
hill. Cultivate frequently. Spray early and often with Bordeaux or 
arsenate of lead. Hills for W. Melon 8 feet apart. 
ONION 
Sow y 2 inch deep early in the spring; when young plants come up. 
thin to 2 inches apart in the row. Hoe and cultivate often, but avoid 
too deep cultivation and be careful not to draw the soil around the 
growing bulbs. For large Onions, sow seed in coldframes in February 
and transplant to open ground when large' enough. For early green 
or bunching onions, sow seed of Silverskin in August, and protect 
plants during winter. 
OKRA 
Sow seed as soon as ground is warm, in drills 3 feet apart and 1 
inch deep. When the plants come up, thin to about 1% feet apart 
in the drills. Requires rich, moist soil and frequent cultivation. 
Pods should be used only when young and tender. 
OYSTER PLANT (Salsify) 
Sow early in spring, in rows 15 inches apart and 1 inch deep; thin 
out to 6 inches apart in the rows; cultivate the same as carrots. 
PARSLEY 
Sow early in April in rows 1 foot apart and % inch deep, and for 
a succession up to autumn. When the plants come up, thin to 4 to 
6 inches apart in the row. Parsley seed is slow to germinate, and 
often in dry weather fails to come up; in this case water plentifully. 
PARSNIP 
Sow in spring % inch deep in good, deep soil, as soon as the ground 
can be worked; make rows 18 inches apart. When the plants are 
well up, thin to about 6 inches apart in the rows. Parsnip seed 
comes up unevenly. Roll well after sowing. 
PEAS 
Peas require warm, light soil, well fertilized and slightly acid. 
Soon as ground can be worked, open rows 3 or 4 inches deep, 2 to 
3 feet apart, into which drop the Peas and cover them. Cultivate 
same as beans. Smooth varieties are best for early planting. The 
wrinkled kinds are more tender, and should be sown later. Smooth 
sorts may be sown in August for latest crop. 
PUMPKIN 
Sow early in May; make hills 8 to 10 feet apart each way; 4 to 6 
seeds in the hill. When plants come up thin to two or three. Pump¬ 
kin seed can be sown with corn in about every fourth hill. Cultivate 
frequently and keep the soil rich. 
RADISH 
Sow as early in spring as the ground can be worked 1 inch deep, 
in rows 1 foot apart, just enough seed so they will not require thin¬ 
ning. For succession sow every two weeks. Sow winter varieties in 
July and August. Take up before freezing, store in sand in cellar or 
pit, and they will keep all winter. Succeed best in soil slightly acid. 
RHUBARB 
Requires very rich soil. Cow manure is excellent. Roots may be 
planted in spring or fall and should be set 3 feet apart at least. 
Cover crowns with about 2 inches of soil and don’t cut till plants are 
thoroughly established. 
SQUASH 
Sow in hills, when the apple is in bloom, about 4 feet apart each 
way for the summer sorts, and 8 to 12 feet for the winter varieties, 
eight to ten seeds to the hill. When the plants come up and when 
danger of loss by insects is past, thin to three or four plants to the 
hill. Winter Squashes can be grown in cornfields in same way as 
pumpkins. 
SPINACH AND MUSTARD 
For spring and summer use, sow in April in rows 1 foot apart, 
and 1 inch deep, and for succession sow every two weeks up to August. 
For winter use, sow in September and cover with straw or other pro¬ 
tection on the approach of cold weather. Sow Mustard % inch deep. 
SORREL 
Sow seed in any good garden soil, in shallow drills a foot apart. 
Thin plants to 6 to 8 inches apart and remove seed stalks as soon 
as they appear; cut about 2 months after planting. 
TOMATO 
Sow in hotbeds or under glass in March or April, and when the 
young plants have made three or four leaves, transplant into shallow 
boxes or coldframes, setting them 4 to 5 inches apart. When danger 
of frost is over, set out in the open. Seed can also be sown in the 
open ground. For best results soil should be slightly acid. 
TURNIP AND RUTABAGA 
Sow seed in the open ground in April, y 2 inch deep, in rows a foot 
apart, and thin to 4 to 6 inches in the rows. Be sure to have 
the soil rich and freshly stirred. Thin early and keep free from 
weeds. For fall and winter use sow in July, August and September. 
If Turnips are strong, slice and soak them in water over night. 
Sow Rutabagas thinly in July in rows 2 feet apart. Cover firmly 
with V 2 inch of soil. Thin to stand 6 inches apart in the row. Cul¬ 
tivate constantly. Before hard frosts pull roots, cut off tops, store 
in cool cellar and cover with sand. 
