18 
Steps in Thinning Plants 
For best results, thinning should be done gradually. In case 
of a crop which grows best when the plants stand four inches 
apart, do not at first thin it to one plant for each four inches. 
It is foolish to discard all excess plants prematurely when 
accidents, insects or disease may destroy many which are left. 
Tf thinning is done by stages as the plants grow, they will 
finally stand at the optimum distance from other, and there 
will be small chance of vacant spaces in the row. 
Lettuce plants, thinned to stand an inch apart, will soon 
reach a size when alternate plants can be removed to make a 
salad; and this process may be continued until the spacing is 
tight for the remaining plants to mature. 
Carrots may be thinned the first time when they are thick 
as a pencil; and a dish of the thinnings will give those who 
have never eaten such tiny carrots before, a new idea of this 
vegetable. 
Beets may be allowed to grow until about six inches tall, 
when their roots have just begun to swell. 
Steps in Growing Sweet Corn 
QP 
Sow seed in hills 3’ to 4’ apart each way, about 5 seeds to 
the hill. Don’t do your planting until the ground is warm. For 
good supply, plant 3 times 3 weeks apart. 
To, sowhills, strtech a line, just as you would for a seed 
drill, and along this mark the location of the hills at the proper 
intervals. 
Scoop out a shallow depression and mix with the soil at its 
bottom a quantity of plant food. Mix the plant food thoroughly 
and cover it with fresh soil, almost filling the hole; then sow 
the seed and cover with light soil, which can be depended 
upon not to form a crust before the seeds have sprouted. 
Thin out to 3 strong plants in each hill when 5” high. Light 
CARROTS, & 
Imperator 
PEAS, 
Laxton’s Progress 
PEPPER, 
California Wonder 
CUCUMBER, 
Long Green 
dressing of nitrate of soda previous to or during rain will 
hasten the growth of young plants. 
Working the soil is extremely important to good growth. 
Hoe at least weekly until 3’ high. Do not work so close to the 
plant as to endanger the roots. 
Staking and Fertilizing Tomatoes 
To continue growth to the main shoot trim lower leaves as 
plant grows (see Illustration 1 at left). Don’t let the plants 
develop like the second one at the left. And it’s well worth- 
while to stake and tie the plants, as in Illustration 2. 
Don't use poultry manure in growing tomatoes: It forces long, 
sappy growth with practically no fruit. If you do use animal 
fertilizers on tomatoes, be sure to balance them by adding 
superphosphate and muriate of potash: otherwise fruit may be 
poor. The best plan of feeding is to use balanced plant food 
for a side dressing, applying it regularly as the plants grow. 
CANTALOUPE 
Rocky Ford , 
