ASPARAGUS—Seed should be soaked 24 hours before planting 
—and covered two inches deep in the garden. ‘lhin young 
plants to about one inch apart. Cultivate otten. Plants to be 
set in their permanent beds the following spring. 
BUSH BEANS—Do not plant until danger of frosts is past. 
When planting, see that fine soil is pressed down firmly around 
the seeds. Thin the young plants so that they stand about six 
inches apart. Cultivate only before blooming and never when 
ven Pick frequentiy as pods approach maturity, to get full 
yield. 
POLE BEANS—Plant about same time as Bush beans. Poles 
5 to feet long should be driven into ground in rows about 4 
feet apart with spacing of 3 feet in the row. Run rows north 
and south. Plant 5 to 8 beans around each pole, thinning to 4 
plants later. Hoe frequentily. To avoid spreading plant di- 
seases, do not cultivate or pick when plants are wet. 
BEETS—Same time as radishes and lettuce—preferably in 
deep, sandy loam. Have soil fine and loose and press down 
firmly around seed. When tops are 3 in. to 6 in. tall pull them 
and use for cooked greens. Continue this until roots stand 6 
in. apart. 
BRUSSEL SPROUTS—Same culture as late cabbage. 
CABBAGE—Set out early and late varieites as soon as frost 
danger is past. Use plenty of good commercial fertilizer. Cul- 
tivate frequently, every five or six days. For winter storage, 
stand plants upright in cold cellar, with roots in sand. Slight 
freezing will not harm cabbage. 
CAULIFLOWER—Same as for cabbage except that heads must 
be protected from sunlight to assure the desirable white curd. 
Gather and tie the tops of the leaves together loosely to shut 
off light. Do not cramp the heads. 
CELERY—Well pulverized and fertilized seed bed is essential 
—with constant moisture, but not too wet. Cover seed with 
finely sifted soil not over ™%-inch deep. When seedlings have 
three or four leaves well started, thin out to three inches apart 
each way, and when 6 in. high (75 to 90 days old) transplant 
to a rich field, setting in double rows 3 to 3% ft. apart with 
8 in. between double rows and 4 in. to 5 in. between plants. 
CHINESE CABBAGE—Set out in rows which have been oc- 
cupied by earlier vegetables. 
COLLARDS—Sow seed thickly in rich ground and transplant 
when about four inches high—or if plants are to remain where 
sown, spread the seed more thinly, and when the young plants 
are well started, space them out to two or three feet apart in 
the row. : 
CORN—Do not piant until all danger of frost is past. Be sure 
seil is well worked and dry—then drop six kernels of corn in a 
shallow hole made with the corner of the hoe. Cover each “hill’’ 
with about one inch of fine soil pressed down firmly. When 
plants are 6 in. high, thin all but three or four strongest plants 
in each hill. 
EGG PLANT—tThe seed should be started in a hot bed, as it is 
slow to germinate. Set plants in open ground when 2 inches 
tall and protect from hot sun when young. Be sure to keep 
young plants developing rapidly, never letting them become 
checked. Cultivate freely. To produce large fruits, remove lat- 
eral branches so as to reduce number of fruits per plant. Young 
plants should be shaded from hot sun and sprayed to protect 
trom potato bugs. 
ENDIVE—Sow at intervals for continued supply. When well 
- started, transplant or thin to one foot apart. To blanch, tie 
outer leaves together over the center when the plants is nearly 
grown.. Just before killing frosts in fall, dig the plants, taking 
plenty of soil with roots—pack closely together and store in 
dark cellar for winter use. 
KALE OR BORECOLE—Requires moist, warm enriched soil. 
Pick leaves as wanted, or pull the whole plant. Leaves are best 
after a frost. 
LETTUCE—Sow lettuce seed as soon as the ground can be 
~ worked—or for extra early crops start indoors and transplant 
to open ground when danger of heavy frost is over. Repeat 
sowings every two weeks to insure a continuous supply. For 
leaf lettuce, thin plants to six inches apart. For head lettuce 
thin to eight inch spacing, in rows 1 in. apart. Lettuce grows 
best and heads best in cool moist weather. 
MUSKMELON—Before planting it is advisable to spade in a 
PAGE TWENTY TWO 
JUST A FEW TIPS ON 
VEGETABLES Sv 
Preparing the Soil 
Rich, sandy loam is best adapted 
to gardening. Stiff clay must be 
broken up and given plenty of 
fibrous material. Sandy soil should 
have additional fertilizing. 
Be sure to work soil deeply enough, 
making the top three or four inches 
fine and loose. Thorough hoeing 
or raking before planting is a big 
help in keeping down weeds. Do 
not work clay soils when they are 
wet enough to stick to rake or hoe. 
If subsoil is stiff clap, special 
drainage is needed. Tile placed 
three feet below surface and not 
more than eighteen feet apart will 
greatly improve results. 
Planting 
For planting in open ground, 
choose a time when the soil is 
moist but not wet. 
Seed should be covered immedi- 
ately after planting so as to re- 
tain moisture. Press down fine 
earth firmly around seeds so as to 
bring particles into close contact 
with the seed. 
It should be noted that the best 
depth varies with the condition of 
the soil, so that each gardener’s 
own practical experience must be 
considered. 
Cultivating 
Stirring the surface soil during the 
period of growth not only kills 
weeds but loosens the ground so 
as to encourage healthy root de- 
velopment. 
It also allows air to enter, and 
helps conserve moisture. 
As plants grow, cultivation should 
become more shallow to avoid in- 
jury to roots. 
A dust mulch of fine soil on the 
surface helps hold the moisture in 
the soil below—but a crust over 
the soil is harmful and should be 
broken up. 
Watering 
While roots may be watered at 
any time, plants should be wa- 
tered early morning or evening. 
Remember that one good soaking 
is better than many light sprink- 
lings. 
Watermelon 
Watermelons do best in light, 
rich, well-drained sandy loam. 
Prepare hills about 8 feet 
apart each way. Drop 8 or 
10 seeds in the hills, covering 
about 34 inch deep. As soon 
as plants begin to run, thin 
out to three best plants on 
a hill. Do not irrigate too oft- 
en. A liberal amount of Ma- 
nure will increase the yield. 


