

MUSTARD. Sow at the same time as radishes and let- 
tuce. Make the rows in the same way. Sow the seed thinly 
and cover with about half an inch of soil. Press down 
firmly. When the plants are about two or three inches 
high, thin them so that they are about six inches apart in 
the row. Mustard plants make the best greens when they 
are given plenty of water so that they grow quickly. 
OKRA or GUMBO. Okra seed does not germinate well at 
cool temperatures, and planting should be delayed until 
the ground is warm. Drop four or five seeds to the foot 
and cover about an inch deep. Thin to about one and one- 
half feet in the row and keep thoroughly cultivated. 
ONION. Onion seed germinates well in cool weather. 
Plant as soon as the soil can be prepared. Shallow planting 
is advisable,—one-fourth to one-half inch. When a few 
inches tall, the young plants can be thinned to prevent 
crowding, and the plants removed can be used as green 
onions. After that, they can be pulled as needed, and those 
left to become fully ripe can be stored for winter. 
PARSLEY. The seed is even slower to germinate than 
parsnip. It grows best in rich mellow soil and should be 
sown as early as possible in rows with a covering of not 
more than one-half inch of soil firmly pressed down. 
When the plants are well up, thin them to eight to twelve 
inches apart in the row. As soon as those of the curled 
varieties are about three inches tall, cut off all the leaves; 
the new growth will be brighter and better curled. Every 
cutting will improve the quality of the leaves. 
PARSNIP. Parsnips grow best in loose, rich, sandy loam 
but will make good roots in any soil that is reasonably 
rich and deep. Stony soil and raw manure are likely to 
produce branched or misshapen roots. The seed requires 
steady abundant moisture for germination and should be 
sown as early as practicable. Sow in rows and when well 
up thin to five inches apart in the row. Keep the ground 
moist if possible. Parsnips are improved by freezing, and 
a portion of the crop can be left in the ground all winter 
x be dug in spring when the ground has thawed. 
\ 
PEAS. Peas need moderate temperature, plenty of mois- 
ture, and long daylight hours. They are not injured by 
light frosts and may be planted as early in spring as the 
soil will permit. By planting some of several varieties at 
PAGE TWENTY SIX 
the same time, a well-arranged succession can be obtained, 
extending over a period of 30 days. Successive plantings 
of a desirable variety will also provide a succession, but 
this cannot be extended over as long a period with good 
results. All varieties more than one and one-half feet tall 
do better if staked up or otherwise supported when four 
to six inches tall. Use sharpened branches of trees set 
between the double rows. 
PEPPERS. Culture, soil, and temperature requirements 
for peppers are about the same as for eggplant. A moderate 
dressing of guano, poultry manure, or complete commercial 
fertilizer hoed into the soil after the plants are six to eight 
inches tall will be beneficial. 
PUMPKIN. Pumpkins are less sensitive to unfavorable 
conditions of soil and weather than melons or cucumbers, 
but they are cultivated in about the same way. 
RADISH. Sow radish seed as early as the ground can be 
worked. Make the rows in the same way as for lettuce, 
beets, and carrots. Sow the seed thinly, and cover with 
about half an inch of soil. If the plants seem crowded when 
they come up, thin them out. Radishes will be crisp and 
tender if they grow quickly and have plenty of moisture. 
RHUBARB. Sow seed in rows an inch deep and thin the 
plants to six inches apart. In the fall transplant to a per- 
manent location, setting the plants three to four feet apart. 
The stalks should not be taken for use the first year. 
RUTABAGA. This vegetable requires a longer growing 
season than turnip and needs more moisture. Seed may be 
sown from mid-June to mid-July. Culture is practically the 
same as for turnip except that the plants should be thinned 
to eight or ten inches apart in the rows. When grown, pull, 
top, and store in cool cellar or pit. 
SALSIFY or VEGETABLE OYSTER. Sow seed early and 
quite deep, giving about the same culture as for parsnip. 
Succeeds best in light, rich soil that has been stirred quite 
deeply. - 
SORREL. Sow in rows early in spring and thin the seed- 
lings to six or eight inches apart in the row. Cutting may 
begin in about two months, and the plants will continue 
in full bearing from three to four years. 
SPINACH. Plant seed as early as that of radishes and 
lettuce. Have the soil fine and loose. Make the rows about 
18 inches apart. Sow the seed thinly, and cover with about 
an inch of soil. Press down firmly. When the plants are 
about three inches tall, thin them so that they are about 
five inches apart in the row. Keep out the weeds. 
SQUASH. Plant about the same time as corn, when the 
ground is warm and dry. Make hills the same as for corn, 
about four to six feet apart. Put six or eight seeds in each 
hill. Cover with about an inch of fine soil and press down 
firmly. When the plants come up, thin them so that only 
three or four of the strongest ones are left in each hill. 
Well-rotted manure may be mixed with the soil in each 
hill before the seeds are planted. 
SWISS CHARD. Plant at about the same time as lettuce 
and radishes. Make the rows in the same way, and about 
18 inches apart. Sow the seeds about one inch apart in the 
row, and cover with about an inch of soil. When. the plants 
are three or four inches high, thin them so that they are 
eight or ten inches apart in the row. Hoe the plants often, 
and keep out the weeds. 
TOMATO. Set out tomato plants when the weather is 
warm and sunny, and there is no danger of frost. Set the 
plants three or four feet apart each way so that they will 
have plenty of room. Water around the roots of the plants 
when setting them out if the ground is dry. Hoe often until 
the plants are quite large. 
TURNIP. For summer turnips, sow the seed as early as 
that of radishes and lettuce. Scatter the seed, or sow it in 
rows like those of radishes and lettuce. Cover the seed with 
about half an inch of soil. For fall and winter turnips; 
sow the seed in July in the same way. 
