New York State College of Agriculture At Gornell Wuinersity Dthaca, N. B.- Library \) Cornell University The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000299754 MONEY IN THE GARDEN. A VEGETABLE MANUAL, PREPARED WITH A VIEW TO ECONOMY AND PROFIT, itl f BY P. T. QUINN, PRACTICAL HORTICULTURIST. AUTHOR OF ‘ CULTURE FOK PROF NEW YORK: ORANGE JUDD COMPANY 1914 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by P. T. QUINN, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, @/Ib537 Praintep In U, 8. A, CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. MONEY IN THE GARDEN ...... cece cece rece eeeeeeeeae Location and Selection of Soil.......... cece cee ceee Draining............6 Beira dha Hes teas eee Preparing the Ground .........0.seceeeesceeccees MAU ATES. jo sors 05: <:ccace oie as ayaveus widia acleneenelecdiaverss wih trae aie Capitals. s.ccg.s sciences deseuies ce atax re nose ‘ CHAPTER If. HOT-BEDS cassis ants oad v4 94 4 de 44 Deacdatom womens bNKS wae <8 Straw Mates « CHAPTER X PARSLEY. Apium petroselinum. Tue garden Parsley, a native of Sardinia, is a hardy biennial and is in general use in this country for garnishing, flavoring soups, stews, &c., &e. The peculiar smell of Parsley will neutralize the odor given to the breath by eating Onions. It is grown toa limited extent by market-garden- ers, either in frames or in the open ground, and when there is a demand, it pays a handsome profit—but as the demand is uncertain, gardeners seldom give a large space to its culture. Parsley will do best in a deep, rich loam, thor- oughly pulverized before sowing the seed. This should be done in April, in drills one foot apart, strewing the seed thickly, and covering by raking the surface with wooden rakes in the lines of the rows. The seed is slow to germinate, requiring two or three weeks before sprouting. A few Radish-seeds, sown in the rows at the time of sowing the Parsley-seed, will mark the lines so that a scuffle-hoe can be run through before the weeds start. Later in the season, the tops give an abundance of shade, and the weeds can be kept under with but little trouble. The tops are cut off in June, and again in August or Septem- g* 190 PARSLEY. ber, when a new growth will start up. During No. veniber the Parsley is dug. It is sometimes “heeled in” in frames, under glass, thickly ; or it is stowed away in trenches like Celery. A still more rapid aud equally good method is to “pit” it in the way described for Horse-Radish, raising the pit only two feet high and keeping the tops on the outside. DWARF CURLED PARSLEY. When sown in frames, the seed is put in during the early part of April in rows between the Lettuce, running from front to rear. The tops will be ready for cutting in June, when they are tied in small bun- les and sent to market. They are cut again later in PARSLEY. 191 the season, in September, and then the crop is dug up and stored before cold weather sets in. One ounce of fresh seed will be enough for home use. This will sow about one hundred feet of row. When sown in frames, it will pay about two dollars per sash and to the extent that it can be grown in the open ground, from eight hundred dollars to one thousand dollars an acre. Last Winter one of my neighbors sold one hundred dollars’ worth from the twelfth of an acre. In preparing Parsley for market, it is washed and then tied in bunches, four or tive stalks in each, SCUFFLE-HOE. leaving all the roots on. The Dwarr Curtep is the best kind for the garden. A few of the best specimens should always be kept to grow seed from the following season. Fresh seed should invariably be used, as old seed is not to le relied on. Hampure Parstey.—This variety is plain-leaved, with-more vigorous habits than the Dwarf Curled ; it is cultivated for the roots, which frequently grow on rich ground to the size of medium Parsnips. They are boiled and served in the same manner as Parsnips. The seeds should be sown in drills eighteen inches apart, and when the plants are two inches high, they must be thinned out to three inches apart in the row. 192 PARSNIP. PARSNIP. Pastinaca sativa. The cultere of this valuable root is principally confined to the kitchen and market-gardens. It is seldom grown in this country as a farm-crop for feeding stock, although it is one of the best on the list for this purpose. On soil free from stones and in good heart, Parsnips will yield from six to eight hundred bushels to the acre, at no greater ex- pense for cultivation than is required for a crop of Ruta Bagas, only they need the whole season for maturing. The roots are perfectly hardy; they can be left in the ground all winter, then dug and fed to cattle in the Spring. Or a portion of the crop can be taken out and pitted, for Winter use, the same as Carrots (which see). When Parsnips are fed to milch cows, the quality of the milk is improved, the cream is much richer, and the butter of finer flavor. Young stock are fond of them, and they will be found superior to any other root for fattening both neat-cattle and hogs. When fresh seed is sown, the plants, while grow- ing, need less attention than Carrots, owing to the leaves being long and spreading, giving shade which checks to some extent the rapid growth of weeds. Som.—The Parsnip will give the largest yield on a deep, rich, sandy or clay loam. Yor this crop, we plough the ground in ridges, in the Fall ; apply from fifteen to twenty-five two-horse loads of well-rotted manure in the Spring and plough it under. For. field-culture, the treatment is, in every part, similar. PARSNIP. 193 to that described for Carrots, with the single excep- tion, that the seed is sown in April, or as early in the Spring as the ground is dry enough to be worked. A few Radish-seeds sown at the same time, will mark the lines, so that a cultivator can be run through before the weeds start. When the | plants are two or three inches high, they should be thinned out by hand, leaving them three inches apart in the row. The cultivation we do with a mule and a Carrot-weeder, keep- ing the surface loose and free from weeds, with very small outlay. We use four to five pounds of fresh seed to an acre, and sow it by machine. Parsnip seed more than one year old cannot be trusted ; seed from the previous year should always be sown. On our farm, the average yield is from six hundred to eight hundred bushels to an acre, and they are usually worth fifty cents a bushel, in market, when trimmed and washed. At times, during the win- ter, when the supply has been short, we have sold at prices ranging from two dollars to four dollars per bar- rel, holding two and a half bushels. Lone smoot In garden-culture, the rows may — PARSNIP. be left nearer together, eighteen inches will give 194 PEAS. enough space. Two ounces of seed will furnish an abundance for family use. Owing to the uncer- tainty of the seed germinating, it is better to sow thickly and thin out the young plants to three inches apart. When digging the crop, in the Fall, careful gardeners select a few of the finest specimens, from which to grow seed the following year. These roots are transplanted into good ground in the Spring, and by July the seed will mature. In field-culture, when ready to harvest, by running a large-sized lifting sub-soil plough alongside of each row, the expense of getting out the crop will be lessened at least one half. For many years we have grown the Long Smooth, or “Ilollow Crowned,” and consider it by far the best variety either for the kitchen-garden, market, or as a field-crop for cattle. When labor-saving im- plements are used, Parsnips can be grown at an ex- pense not to exceed seventy dollars an acre. PEA. Pisum sativum. The Pea is one of the favorite vegetables culti- vated in the kitchen-garden as well as for market, in almost every section of this country. Green Peas, half-grown, when properly served, are a much- esteemed dish with most persons. New Jersey and Long Island have long been noted for producing early Peas for the New York PEAS. 195 and Philadelphia markets, and on the kinds of soil where they were grown, they were a profitable farm crop. Of late years, since the close of the war, a large share of this business has been transferred froin its original quarters to Virginia and South Carolina, where it is now carried on extensively by Southern gardeners, who ship the whole of their crop to Northern markets. These southern-grown Peas from Charleston reach New York in April and May, and they are closely followed by the crop from Nor- folk, Va. These early arrivals have “cut” into the old business sadly, and have forced many grow- ers in New Jersey to abandon Pea-growing, for profit. The Pea flourishes best on light soil; it can be grown with less manure than most garden crops. In the vicinity of Charleston, 8. C., fine crops of Early Peas have been produced on light, sandy soil, with an application, in the drill, of three hundred pounds of superphosphate of lime to the acre. With better facilities for transportation from Charleston, the culture of the Pea could be made a profitable business, provided growers would realize the importance of careful picking and packing, which part of the work, so far, has been sadly neglected by many gardeners. “ What is worth doing, is worth doing well.” Of this, many shippers of Southern vegetables seem to be totally ignorant, and they reap the reward of low prices. In the kitchen garden, Peas are usually “ brushed ” to keep the vines off the ground, but in field-culture the vines are permitted to fall down after the last 196 PEAR. ploughing, which throws a shallow furrow from either side, towards the rows of vines. In the field, the rows are marked out, with a one-horse plough, three feet apart, the manure applied in the furrow, then the seed distributed thinly, and covered by hand- hoes. The cultivation is done by horse tools, going through, may be, once with the hand-hoes to take out any weeds that may show themselves in the rows. One bushel and a quarter of seed is enough for an acre. The average return is from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five bushels per acre, and gives a profit of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars. In garden-culture, to save time in “ brushing,” Peas are sown in double rows, that is, two rows are put in, only eight inches apart, and then a space of two feet is left for a passage-way—one line of brush will support the two rows. For an early crop, they should be sown as soon as the ground can be worked. A slight frost does not injure the vines. We have frequently had young vines covered with snow, early in April, without suffering any harm. To keep the table well supplied, a sowing should be made every two or three weeks, until the first of July. When planted in April, the early or main crop will be ready for market or home use in July, in time to make a second planting. Of course, the times of sowing will depend on the locality. In South Carolina, Peas are sown in December and January, while in New Jersey they PEAS. 197 are seldom planted before the first of April, and some seasons as late as the middle of the month. A few years ago my brothers shipped, from Charles- ton, Peas on the fourteenth of April, and they reached New York when we were sowing our early crop. With Peas, the list of varieties is a long one— but there are a few well-known kinds that are gen- eral favorites. Pumapetpota Exrra Earty is the best early variety that we have tested, both for garden and field- culture. It is more productive, of better quality, and several days earlier than the Daniel O’Rourke, when planted along side, and with the same treat- ment. Dantet O’Rourxe.—The vines of this kind will not average more than two feet high. It has been a favorite market variety, because all the pods fill out about the same time, enabling the gardener to gather the crop in two or three pickings. Tom Tuums is grown in private gardens on account of its requiring no “brushing.” The vines only grow about eight or ten inches high. The yield is large, but the Peas are of medium quality. We sow this kind late, and it does equally well as when sown early. McLean’s Lirtte Gem is in habits similar to the Tom Thumb, but in quality far superior. Bisuor’s Lone Pop is a favorite sort in many sections for family use. The pods are large and abundant. The vines are not inclined to grow very tall. It is a good variety to follow the early kinds, 198 PEPPERS. Campion or Eneianp, an old and well-known Pea, is without doubt the best late variety grown. The vines grow from three to four feet high, and require “brushing,” to keep them from the ground. Brack and Waite Marrowrats are also tall- growing sorts. They are still planted extensively for late market varieties, and for this purpose are highly esteemed. Bue Imeertat is a first quality, late variety, and has a delicate flavor when gathered before the Peas have grown full size. This remark can be applied to every variety of Pea cultivated. A couple or three quarts of as many of the vari- eties, sown in succession, will keep the table abund- antly supplied with this delicious vegetable. PEPPER. Capsicum. The Pepper is cultivated to some extent in private gardens and quite extensively as a market crop, very frequently by contract for pickle factories. Although prices are generally low when contracted for, the yield is so large, when the crop does well, that a large profit is often realized from the sale of Pep- pers. The seed should be sown in a hot-bed in March, giving the plants the same treatment as Egg Plants, with this exception, they need not be transplanted, but they may be left in the seed-bed until they are removed to the open ground in June. There is little or no demand for Peppers in mar- PEPPERS. 199 ket until late in the Fall, so there is nothing gained by having them before October. They will grow best on a rich, moist loam, inclining to lightness, al- though they will yield bountifully on any well-pre- pared soil. In the garden or field, they may be set out with the “dibble,” in the same way as Cabbage plants, about the middle of June, leaving two feet between the rows, and the plants eighteen inches apart in the row. The ground should be kept loose and clean by frequent disturbances of the soil. A dozen plants will be enough in a garden for family use. These can be bought from some gar- dener, near by, cheaper than they can be raised. Unless for pickle factories, the demand in market is limited; but to the extent that they are wanted, it is profitable to grow them. They will usually sell from seventy-five cents to one dollar per hundred ; this would be at the rate of four to five hundred dollars per acre. Vanrietres.—There are only a few kinds grown in this country. Sweet Movnrau is of large size, similar in shape to the Bell, but milder. It is used for making man- goes. But-Nose, or Bett, is large, slightly tapering, rather mild, and desirable for pickling. It matures early and bears abundantly. Squasu.—This variety is different in shape from the above. It is more and deeply ribbed, stronger to the taste than the other two, and used extensively for pickling. 200 POTATOES. Cavenne.—This is a small variety, the fruit long and tapering, bright red when ripe, and very strong. It does, when ground furnish the pepper of com- merce. POTATO. Solanum tuberosum. From each successive year’s experience, the shrewd farmer draws a practical lesson, which, if properly applied, will materially assist in making his special calling a success. There is very little to be made in farming or gardening by the game of chance, or, as it is sometimes called, “ good luck,” but in- dustry well directed, will eventually be rewarded, while carelessness and mismanagement are just as certain to reap their reward. Every branch of industry has, from various causes, to battle against a “blue” season, and farm- ing or gardening forms no exception to the rule. At present, farm wages are high, with no indications of any change for the better. My neighbor asks, “Tow, under existing circumstances, are farmers to make ends meet?” My reply is, substitute horse for hand- labor, adopt better methods of culture, concentrate the work and manure on fewer acres, so as to pro- duce maximum crops, and by these means lessen the cost per bushel of producing. The expense of culti- vating is the same, whether the yield is one hundred or three hundred bushels of Potatoes to the acre. The Potato crop is an important one in every State and Territory in this country. Two hundred POTATOES. 201 bushels to the acre is not a large return from well- fertilized and properly tilled ground ; still we find that the average crop of the country is not quite one hundred, even in favorable seasons. Taking the price of Potatoes at seventy-five cents per bushel, by adopting better methods of culture, the increased value in the United States of this crop alone would amount to over seventy-five millions of dollars a year. Although the price of Potatoes has only advanced a trifle within the past ten years, and farm wages and other farm expenses have nearly doubled, yet I feel confident that I can make as much per acre now, cultivating Potatoes, as in 1860; simply by making use of the methods named, and planting varieties of Potatoes that are more productive than the Mercer or Prince Albert. There is no system of farming so perfect as not to be susceptible of improvement; and the intelligent farmer is always ready to make a change or follow a new method of culture, when it is evident that, by so doing, he will increase the pro- duct per acre or lessen the expense of producing. Our method of cultivating Potatoes, which has given entire satisfaction for the last three years, is substantially as follows. The ground, which is a heavy clay, and naturally very poor, is Fall-ploughed, throwing it into “lands ” about twenty feet wide, and left in this state until Spring. When the soil is dry enough to be worked, in April, it has a second plough- ing, crosswise—never turning the soil less than ten inches deep. The manure is then spread broadcast on the surface, the quality of the soil regulating the quan- tity. However, we seldom use less than twenty two- 202 POTATOES. horse loads of barn-yard manure or compost to each acre. When fish guano is used, it is mixed with soil for a week or two before planting-time, and then spread over the surface at the rate of from three- quarters to a ton to the acre. When barn-yard man- ure is used, the ground is harrowed before spreading the manure and with special fertilizers, such as phos- phate, bone-dust, or guano; the harrowing is done after applying the manure, giving the ground only one “scrape,” to level the surface. We change the seed every two years. For seed, I prefer large-sized Po- tatoes, cut into two, three, and four pieces, a fort- night at least before planting, and then dusted with wood-ashes. This I have done in wet or inclement weather during the month of March, when the men cannot work to advantage out of doors. With every- thing in readiness for planting, the seed Potatoes are put into barrels, carted to the field and placed at convenient distances across the lot, so that the per- sons “dropping” will lose no time and waste no strength in carrying the Potatoes from one end of the field to the other. This may appear trifling, but I find, when this plan is carried out, the work goes on more rapidly, and two persons will drop as much as three, when no system is practised. From the effects of the Fall ploughing, the alternate freezing and thaw- ing during Winter, and with a plonghing in Spring, the ground will turn up kind and mellow, just in the right tilth for planting. The Potatoes are put in at the third ploughing, in the following manner. Com- mencing at one side of the field, twenty o1 thirty feet from the fence, the ploughman with his horses POTATOES, 2038 strikes a straight furrow and returns with a back fur- row. On the second time around, the droppers follow the plough, placing the Potatoes from fifteen to eigh- teen inches apart in the loose ground just turned over, and in a position so that the next furrow-slice will cover the seed about four inches deep. The fur- row-slices will average from ten to twelve inches in width, and the seed is planted in every third furrow on either side of the starting-point ; this will leave the rows of Potatoes about three feet apart. This is wide enough to admit a horse-hoe for cultivating during the early stages of growth. By the system of back-furrowing there is no time wasted, either by the persons dropping or the man withthe plough. We employ two German women, who drop as fast as the two horses will plough the ground and cover the Pota- toes. On loose, mellow soil, this force will plant, on an average, two acres a day, working ten hours. In this way, the soil is left in better condition to facili- tate the growth of the young Potatoes than by any of the methods in general use, that I have heretofore practised in growing Potatoes for market. The seed is placed in the side of the furrow-slice, and is not displaced by the horse that walks in the furrow. Oc- casionally the plough is thrown out by the point strik- ing a stone, and one or two of the seed left without covering, but in the next time around, this can be re- paired and the seed properly covered. With a very little practice, the ploughman will run each furrow as straight as a “bee-line”’ I never have had rows of Potatoes come up more evenly than for the past three years, when planted in this way. 904 POTATOES. Another method is, when the ground is ready to open the furrow with a one-horse plough, spreading the manure in the furrow; then the Potatoes are dropped in place along the bottom of the furrow, and, by means of the plough again, are covered about three inches deep. When the young stocks are just coming through the surface, the field is harrowed, running the harrow in the line of the rows. We use for this purpose a blunt-toothed harrow, which levels the surface, destroys the first crop of young weeds, and as far as 1 am capable of observing, does no in- jury to the Potatoes. I am aware that many Po- tato-growers condemn the harrow for this purpose, as doing more harm than good. When I am convinced that this is the fact, I will at once abandon its use and adopt some other improved implement to do the same kind of work. When the young plants are well above the sur- face, I run Howe’s horse-hoe or Perry’s Scarifier between the rows, going twice in each space, and as close to the stocks as it is possible, without cutting them. This operation is repeated once at least every two weeks, until the Potatoes come into blossom, when the cultivation is stopped. Sometimes a few heavy showers of rain will compact and harden the surface ; in such a case, we use Mapes’ one-horse lifting sub-soil plough to run once in the middle, be- tween the rows, and loosen the soil three or four inches deep. Our plan is to prepare the soil thor- oughly before planting, and then, during the grow- ing season, to keep merely two or three inches of the surface loose and free. There is little or no hard POTATOES 205 labor required by following this system of culture. In an ordinary season, the horse-tools will do all the work necessary to keep the surface loose and free from weeds. I make it a rule, however, to go through the field once with the hand-hoes, cutting out any weeds that may be growing in the .imes of the rows where the horse-tools cannot reach. Under good management, Potatoes should be kept free from weeds and grass, until they are in full blossom. After this date, cultivation may be suspended, for any weeds that may then come up, do little or no injury to the crop. The stalks shade the ground so that the growth of weeds is sparse; although it is often advisable to have some scattering tall weeds pulled by hand, before the Potatoes are dug. In cultivating early varieties of Potatoes on strong ground, they can be harvested in time to get a crop of Turnips off the same ground, which may prove as profitable as the crop of Potatoes. We grow on our farm from one thousand to one thousand five hundred bushels of Potatoes a year for market. During the past ten years we have sold none less than seventy-five cents per bushel, by the quantity, and a large proportion of them would average one dollar a bushel. On ground well manured and tilled, two hundred bushels of marketable Potatoes to the acre is about an average crop in our section ; these are worth one hundred and seventy-five dollars. Deducting the expense, there is left from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five dollars. With early Po- tatoes, harvested in time to sow a Fall crop of Yel- 10 206 POTATOES. low Stone Turnips, which often yield as much as the Potatoes, there will be a net from both crops of about two hundred dollars an acre. Last Summer we dug from an acre of Early Rose, one hundred and ten barrels, and sold them at three dollars and twenty-five cents per barrel, for table use. Harvestine.—Although we have tested numer- ous Potato-digging machines, there is mone that has given us satisfaction. We still hold to the old method of removing the stalks, then, with a plough, throwing a furrow away from either side of the row, and turning out the Potatoes with the digging-fork. By this method a man can easily get out thirty bushels a day, at an expense of from five to six cents a bushel. Srorinc Porators.—Potatoes for table use should be stored in a cool, dry, dark cellar. They will keep better if a small quantity of soil is mixed in with them at the time of putting them away. When Potatoes are left exposed to the sunlight, they soon turn green, a bitter principle is evolved, and when cooked, they have a nauseating and unpleasant taste. Every observing farmer knows that it often happens, either from the washing away of the earth, or from careless hoeing, that a portion of the Potatoes in a “hill” is left exposed to the light. These Potatoes soon change color, and are worthless for table use. This kind of exposure also hastens decay, no matter where the Potatoes are kept. ven when purchased for family use, in small quantities, say a barrel or a bushel at a time, they should be kept in a dark corner of the cellar. POTATORS. 207 Varieries.—There is a long catalogue of varie- ties of Potatoes, many of which have only a local reputation. The old favorite Mercer is no longer EARLY ROSE, cultivated to any extent. The Carter, too, has passed away, with twenty other kinds that once were popu- 208 POTATOES. lar. The seedlings of the late Professor Goodrich are quietly dropped from the approved lists for gen- eral culture, and their places filled by other and more promising sorts. [Low long these varieties will hold their place in public estimation experience only can tell. We give six illustrations of Potatoes, the repre- sentative sorts for the different seasons, and good types of their kinds. ah j y Wa Hy) H Hf it wy h Mi Among the most popular early varieties may be named the Earty Rosz, a seedling introduced by Mr. Breese, of Vermont. With three years’ trial it has attained a national reputation. It is well worthy of it, for it is the best early variety that we have at pres- ent, either for family use or for market. The Rose is a large-sized Potato, smooth skin, few eyes, flesh white, aud steams or boils mealy. POTATOES. 209 Dyxeman is an old standard, cultivated by Long Island gardeners extensively for the New York market. PEERLESS. Perrwess is more productive and larger than the Early Rose, equal to it in quality, and is, for a late variety, what the Rose is for the early. 910 POTATOES. Pracn Brow has always been a favorite, and a standard of excellence in quality. It is a large, round potato, takes the whole season to mature, and is difficult to boil evenly on account of its shape. It is also subject to the rot. PEACIL BLOW. Gurason is a seedling of the Garnet-Chili. It grows large, roundish, and has a peculiar roughness of skin, by which it can always be distinguished. It is a late variety and of good quality. Kupyuy.—Medium size, productive, of fine qual POTATOES. 911 ity for home use. It keeps well, retaining its good quality throngh the Winter. Jackson Wurre is cultivated extensively, as a late variety, for market. It is long, the eyes deeply set, quality good when grown on dry ground. GLEASON. Earty Monawkx is an early variety, recently in- troduced, very productive, but inferior in quality. about equal to the Iarrison for cooking. Insrcts.—The Potato is liable to the attacks of various insects, both in the foliage as well as the 912 POTATORS. tubers. For a number of years past the English wire-worm has seriously injured the Potatoes in New Jersey. The grub feeds upon the young tubers, dis- figuring them so much as to make them unsalable. The grub of the Zvaters, that injures the Potato, is long and slender, having a hard, smooth skin, of a POTATOES, 213 brownish yellow color, and, according to Harris, lives in its feeding state five years. An application of ashes has been recommended as a remedy; but we have not found it to be of any service. Rape cake, broken into small pieces and scattered in different places through the field, attracts revarints d NS i COLORADO POTATO BUG. the grubs; they collect to feed upon it, and large numbers may be destroyed. The Colorado Potato bug (Doryphora decem- lineata), has been doing mischief in the West, but it has not reached New Jersey or any of the Eastern States. These bugs appear in great numbers, destroy- ing all the foliage and inj uring the crop very serious- 10* 214 JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. ly. Dusting with powdered White Hellebore is said to check them. A. D. Compton recommends a solu- tion, made of one part salt, ten of soap, and twenty of water, for syringing the vines and effectually checking the bugs. A correspondent of the Farmers’ Club recom- mends one part of Paris green and twenty parts of flour of bone, mixed and sifted on the vines, an ex- cellent remedy. One pound of the green will be enough for an acre. The directions given for the field management of Potatoes can easily be adopted in garden-culture. One bushel of seed will yield about twenty bush- els of Potatoes, if planted on good ground and well tended. JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. fTelianthus tuberosus. The Jerusalem Artichoke, or the tuber-bearing Sunflower, as it is sometimes called, is a hardy perennial, a native of Brazil, the roots of which, in this country, are principally used for pickling. When once this plant takes possession in the garden or field, it is aliost impossible to eradicate it. It continues to grow from year to year in the same spot; no matter with what care the tubers have been taken out, there will be enough left to produce a crop the following year. On this account it is an unpopular plant for garden-culture, for in a few years it would over-run everything else. Tt will grow on yery poor soil, and could with PUMPKINS. ~ 915 advantage be planted in waste ground; along the fences (instead of briars); in the orchard ; and in the Fall the pigs will feed and thrive upon the tuber. Even on thin light soil the Jerusalem Artichoke will yield from two hundred to three hundred bushels to the acre, and can be grown with profit, for feeding hogs and cattle. The ‘ubers are not injured by freezing, and are quite as nutritive as the Potato. It is propagated by planting, in rows two and a half feet apart, and two feet in the row, medium-sized tubers, and covering them with three or four inches of soil. In the Fall, the tubers that are wanted for Winter use may be dug up and kept during the Winter in a cellar, covered with sand. Two quarts of tubers planted in some convenient spot outside of the garden, will give enough for family use. PUMPKIN. Cucurbita pepo. There are innumerable variety of Pumpkins, but only a few of them are worthy of cultivation. None of them should ever be planted in the garden. By the travel of the farina fecunda of the Pumpkin, Melons, Cucumbers and Squashes will be hybridized and spoiled after the first year. The Pumpkin rightly belongs in the field, and under good care bears abundantly, and furnishes a large amount of palatable food for cows, pigs, &e., &e, 216 PUMPKINS. They are used more extensively for pies. Grocers usually lay in a large stock of the Cheese Pumpkin in the Fall, to supply their customers with Country Pumpkins during the Winter. They may be grown on waste land when manured in the hill (for they are rank feeders), planted eight feet apart each way any time in May. They are generally planted among Corn. The Cheese Pump- kin is the best for this purpose. CHAPTER XI. RADISHES. Rhaphanus sativus. Tue Radish is a general favorite with all classes. {t is found in all well-managed private gardens, and early in the Spring it is grown extensively by market- gardeners in the vicinity of large cities. For the first Radishes that reach market, the seed is sown in hot-beds in January or February, and they are ready for use early in March. Gardeners who have put up “ forcing-houses ” within the last two years near New York, devote a portion of the tables to forcing Radishes, and find them to be as profitable, to the extent of the demand, as Lettuce. They give a profit of about one dollar and twenty-five cents a sash, 3x6, for each crop, and occupy the space only six or seven weeks, while it takes nine weeks for a crop of Lettuce. Early Radishes are shipped from Norfolk to New York ; they usually bring high prices—four to six dollars per hundred bunches, or from eight to ten dollars per barrel. The Radish, like most of the vegetables, will grow best on a deep, rich, sandy loam. It must have a rapid growth to be of fine quality. There are several methods practised by garden- 918 RADISHES. ers in growing Radishes. We always sow the seed thinly in the rows with early Beets and Carrots. The Radishes are pulled and sold before the Beets or Car- rots need the room, and at the same time it gives us a chance to cultivate these crops earlier than we otherwise could. This plan can be just as well fol- lowed in the private garden; and by sowing a few Ttadish-seeds in the rows with each “row-crop” planted, the table can be kept supplied with young Radishes during the season. On Long Island, they frequently devote the whole field to Radishes, sowing the seed broadcast and har- rowing it. in, or in rows one foot apart, using about five pounds of seed to the acre. This crop is taken off in full time to prepare the ground for a crop of late Cabbages. Of late years, the profits from growing Radishes have not been large. It is considerable trouble to prepare them for market, especially the long Scarlet, making the flat bunches, washing, &c., &e. With a good crop, Radishes seldom pay more than one hun- dred to one hundred and fifty dollars an acre. We have known many and many an acre that did not yield fifty dollars. When they first come into market from the open ground, near New York, they bring two dollars per hundred bunches; they fall very soon, as the supply increases, to one dollar or fifty cents a hundred, and are often dull at these prices. The Radish is frequently retarded, and, in fact, the crop destroyed by a grub, Anthomyia raphani. This little insect deposits an egg in the root of the RADISIES. 919 Radish just under the surface, and in a short time ap- pears the maggot, which feeds upon the young Radish. The best remedy that we know for this destructive insect is to apply a dressing of common salt (half a bushel on a rod of ground) to the surface in the Fall, and in the Spring when the ground is ready for plant- ing, give a top-dressing of fresh air-slacked lime—or sprinkle some in the row, before sowing the seed—or in addition to the top-dressing of lime, apply fine bone-meal in the drill with the seed. I have tested the salt and bone, and always with good results, even on ground where, previous to this treatment, Radishes could not be grown. There are only a few varieties of Radishes that are grown to any extent, either in the kitchen-garden or for market. Earty Scarter Turnie grows rapidly, medium size, shape round, when young delicate in flavor and very popular. Earty Syorr-rop Lone Scarier is well known as the standard variety, both for home use and the early Spring crop for market. When cul- tivated on a rich, sandy loam, the roots are long, smooth, and the quality first- rate while young. Wurre Spanise is a Summer va- riety, popular among Germans for making salads, and cultivated to some BARLY SCARLET extent for that purpose. It is oblong, TURNIP. Ce . similar m shape to the Black Spanish, strong and biting, aud seldom used by Americans, 920 RADISHES. Brack Spranisu is a black Radish of large size, grown for Winter use. The seed should be sown in BLACK SPANISH. July, and the roots pitted in the Fall, like Turnips or Carrots. It is used principally by the Ger- mans and French. OLIVE-sHAPED is a small va- EARLY SHORT-TOP riety, oblong, color similar to the LONG SCARLET, P early Scarlet, of good quality and a favorite for home use. Four ounces of seed, of the different varieties named, sown at different times, will keep the table well supphed with young Radishes. RHUBARB. 221 RHUBARB. Rheum hybridum. The Rhubarb is a hardy perennial, cultivated in this country exclusively for the leaf-stocks. There is a large demand for it during April, May and June for making pies, tarts, &c., &c. It sells well until green gooseberries, currants, and early apples come into market, when its season is over. To show how the demand for Rhubarb has in- creased—fifteen years ago, with all our efforts, we could, on a regular market-day in Newark, dispose of no more than one hundred and fifty bunches. Now, we often put one thousand bunches on the wagon at one time, and, in the same market, find less trouble to sell them than we did the smaller number at first. When grown for market, the profit depends on the earliness. This is obtained by planting in a favorable locality and heavy manuring. We usually send the first Rhubarb to market from the open ground about the twenty-fifth of April. It is always tied in bunches of from five to eight stocks of the early sorts, and from three to five of the later ones. At first, it sells freely at from fourteen dollars to six- teen dollars per hundred bunches; as the season ad- vances the supply increases, and the prices fall grad- ually to six dollars or four dollars per hundred. Our bed has been producing for the last seven- teen years; it has paid at the rate of from three hundred dollars to five hundred dollars an acre. When once planted, Rhubarb gives less trouble than 999 RHUBARB. any other vegetable. We give our patch a heavy dressing of manure every Spring, and fork it under ; two hoeings through the season will keep down the weeds. The cost of keeping an acre in good order will average about sixty dollars a year. Before plant- ing, the ground should be ploughed and sub-soiled thoroughly, and, if necessary, drained. Then plenty of well-rotted manure should be turned under—sixty to seventy two-horse loads to the acre: the greater the quantity of manure used, the larger and finer will the Rhubarb grow. The roots should be set four feet apart each way, using a spade and line, so as to make the rows straight and at regular distances. The plants should be divisions of old roots of the different kinds want- ed. Cahoon’s Seedling is the only kind that we know that will produce itself from seeds; the other well-known sorts will give a dozen varieties, and therefore they cannot be relied upon. It makes little or no difference whether the roots are set out in the Spring or Fall—the condition of the ground is more important than the time of plant- ing. It is well, however, when the roots have been in place for eight or nine years to take them up and divide them; this can be done in August. If the roots are carefully separated, part of a crop can be gathered the following year, and a full one the sec- ond year. By placing a bottomless barrel over a crown in March, and putting some long manure on the out- side, Rhubarb can be brought forward. Gardeners often force it by placing the roots under the tables in RHUBARB. 293 green and forcing-houses, or by means of an ordinary hot-bed. Prices are high and the demand good for this early Rhubarb, and it pays very well for the trouble. Twelve roots planted in rich soil in the gar- den will give an abundance for family use. There are only a few varieties cultivated to any extent in this country. Myarr’s Livy aus is the best early variety. It is grown extensively in private gardens and for the early crop for market. It is the best flavored kind with which we are familiar. Vicrori is later, but it has a much larger and longer leaf-stock than the Linnzeus, and on this ac- count it is cultivated by gardeners for the main crop late in the season. Cauoon’s Srrpiine is also a late variety. It grows even a larger stock than the Victoria, but it is stringy when the leaf-stocks attain full size, though very juicy. This is the kind that has been sold by unprin- cipled men as the “ Wine Plant”—one of the most flagrant swindles ever practised on the farming and gardening community. CHAPTER XII. SALSIFY, OR VEGETABLE OYSTER. Tragopogon porrifolius. The Salsify is a hardy biennial. It is cultivated for its roots, which seldom grow larger than small- sized Carrots or Parsnips. It will sueceed best on a deep, sandy loam, and treated in every way like Carrots. The seeds, which resemble an inferior quality of Oats, should be sown in drills, in April, and thinned out to two inches apart when the plants are well above ground. The roots are hardy ; they may be left in the ground during the Winter, without injury. As they are used for culinary purposes during the Winter and early Spring, we dig them up in the Fall, and store them in trenches, like Celery, where they keep in good condition until wanted. Salsify is grown to a limited extent for market. In preparing it for this purpose the fibrous roots and dead leaves are removed ; it is then washed and tied in bunches about the size of Asparagus bunches. They usually bring one dollar and fifty cents a dozen bunches. The Salsify is a favorite in the kitchen-garden, and it is becoming more so every year. It is easily grown. SCORZONERA. SEA KALE. Two ounces of seed will be sufficient for home use. Some of the plants may be left in the ground all Winter for the seed. Rabbits are fond of the young tops in the Spring; & we have frequently been annoyed by } their eating the tops so closely that we | == have not been able to get any seed the second season. SCORZONERA. Scorzonera hispanica. The Scorzonera is a native of Spain. It is very similar to Salsify, and needs the same kind of culture. The seed should be sown early in April, as it requires a long season to mature. It is used in soups, or boiled, and served as Salsify, it makes a pleasant dish. Before cooking, the outside skin should be taken off. SEA KALE, Crambe maritima. The Sea Kale is a hardy perennial, a native of the sea coast of Europe, where it grows abundantly. In its wild state, when blanched, gathered, and served as Asparagus, it is a delicious vegetable. Although extensively cultivated and very popular in Europe, it is grown to a very limited extent in this country in private gardens, SALSIFY, 226 SEA KALE. It may be propagated from roots or seeds, and it does best when planted on a deep, sandy loam. The least expensive way to start a bed, is to sow the seed in hills, two feet apart each way, early in April, and when the plants come up, thin out leaving only two to each place. Before sowing the seed, however, the bed should be thoroughly prepared, for on this will depend the success of the crop. The ground should be hoed frequently the first year, and no weeds al lowed to appear. In the Fall, a mulch of long ma- nure, three or four inches in thickness, should be put on the bed to protect against the cold weather. Two ounces of seed will furnish enough plants for family use. When propagated by roots, a few old ones may be lifted in the Fall, divided and kept buried in damp sand until the following Spring, when they may be set in place, covering the “crowns” four inches. Or the roots can be started in hot-beds in March and transplanted in place in April. With this treatment, stocks for table use can be cut the first season. In the Spring of the second year, the bed should be forked over, turning in some of the mulch. The lighter part of it should be gath- ered in heaps, mixed with some leaf-mold, and, be- fore the plants start to grow, placed on the “ crowns,” to blanch them. This Spring mulch should be eight or ten inches in thickness. Large flower-pots covering the “ crowns” will answer the same purpose, the object being to exclude the light. A slight dressing of common salt, every Spring, will be found beneficial. All the cutting of SPINACH. 927 the Sea Kale is made at one time; while young the cutting should not be too close, for it would weaken the roots. When the flower heads appear, the mulch should be remoyed, and then the growth is not un- like that of Broccoli; it can be used in the same way. Sea Kale, served the same as Asparagus, is by many persons preferred to it. SPINACH. Spinacea oleracea. The Spinach is well and favorably known in every section of this country. It is cultivated very generally for Winter and Spring “ greens” in all well-managed kitchen-gardens, and it is also a profita- ble crop for market. It needs a deep, rich soil to produce maximum crops, for it can only be grown with profit on land that is well drained and highly manured. For a succession, the seed may be sown early in April and again in May—for the principal crop, from the first to the tenth of September, on ground from which a Summer crop has been taken. Before sowing, the ground should be well-ma- nured, thoroughly pulverized, and the surface levelled. The rows are then marked out, one foot apart, with the garden “ marker.” The seed can be sown in the garden by hand, and in the field with a machine, using five or six pounds to the acre. A quarter of a pound of seed will sow enough for home use. During October, it is well to give the Spinach a hoeing, and thin it out in places where jt is too thick, 228 SPINACH. What is wanted for home use in mid-Winter should be mulched lightly with salt hay; this will protect the leaves from injury by frost. Or if the Spinach has grown full size in the Fall, it may be kept very well by cutting it then, placing it three or four inches thick in a frame, and covering it with a sash and a little rubbish. Gardeners sometimes get eight and ten dollars a barrel in mid-Winter for Spinach kept in this way. The main crop is cut and marketed during April and May, at prices ranging from one to five dollars per barrel, according to the supply, &. When the ground is rich and the seed fresh, one hundred barrels to the acre is a large yield; although we have cut a barrel of Spinach from a square rod of ground. When the Spinach is taken off, Tomatoes, Egg Plants, or Cabbages can be planted on the same ground. With a favorable season, an acre of Spin- ach will give from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars profit. The varieties cultivated are but few in number. Rounp Sprrvacu is the most popular kind for home use or market. The seed is smooth, the leaves large and slightly crimped. It will stand the Win- ter without protection. Pricgty, or Fatu.—This variety is said to be more hardy than the Round, but we have never found it to be so. Although recommended for Fall planting, it will grow just as well when sown in the Spring. The Prickly is not quite as productive as the Round Leaf, but fully equals it in quality. NEW ZEALAND SPINACH. SHALLOTS. 229 NEW ZEALAND SPINACH. Tetragonia expansa. This plant is a native of New Zealand, and in its habits is directly the opposite of the common Spin- ach. It stands the heat better than the cold; when the seeds are sown in a bed in April and transplanted in rows in May—three feet apart, and two feet apart in the row—it will give an abundance of greens dur- ing hot weather. These are cooked and served in the same manner as Spinach. SHALLOTS. Allium ascalonicum. The Shallot, sometimes called “Scallion,” has a stronger taste than the Onion, but it does not leave the peculiar odor in the breath that the Onion does. It is used in this country, early in Spring, in its green state, to flavor soups, stews, &e., &e. It is generally found in private gardens and is also grown by market- gardeners as a source of profit. The “sets” are planted in September, in rich ground, in rows, one foot apart, and three or four inches apart in the row. The smallest “sets” are the best for this purpose ; they do not mould, and they are seldom injured by frost. These are ready for use in April; if not pulled then, they may be left in the ground until ripe. This is indicated by the leaves dying. By this time the bulbs will have increased in size very much, and they can easily be divided for planting again in the Fall. A quart of these “offsets” will be enough for family use. tt 230 SORREL. SQUASH. SORREL. Rumex acetosa. The Sorrel is a perennial—seldom cultivated by American gardeners. It is a popular vegetable with the French, who use it in various ways—for making salads, flavoring soups and stews, and sometimes they serve it plain as Spinach. We have tried several times to eat Sorrel, served in French style, but we had to give it up. It is said to be a very healthful vegetable. Sorrel is very easily cultivated. The seed may be sown in drills one foot apart, in April, and in ninety days there will be an abundant crop of large, succu- lent leaves. SQUASH. Cucurbita Species. The Squash is extensively cultivated in the kitchen- garden and also as a profitable market crop. There is a long list of varieties, all of them of tropical ori- gin, and consequently tender. As the young plants are so sensitive to cold, we seldom put in the seed be- fore the middle of May, when the ground is warm and the weather settled. The Squash will do well on any properly prepared soil, but a sandy loam is bet- ter adapted to this vegetable than soil of a heavier character. For the Early Bush sorts we make hills the same as for Cucumbers and Melons, four feet between the rows and three feet in the rows, using about the same SQUASH. 234 quantity of well-rotted manure. Six or eight seeds are planted in each hill. When three rough leaves are formed, all but three plants to a hill should be pulled out. As the young plants are liable to the attacks of the “Striped Bug,” the remedy recommended for Cucumbers should be applied to the Squash vines. The later varieties are cultivated in the same manner, only making the hills eight feet apart each way. The space between the hills can be planted with Lettuce, or Kohl-Rabi, for an early crop, where economy of ground is essential. No weeds should be allowed to appear among the vines. On Long Island and in some parts of New Jersey the early kinds are grown as field-crops; but the sale of them is very uncertain. We have seen growers who, one year, were forced to consign a large part of their crop to the hog-pen; the next season the same space devoted to Squash gave a profit of one hundred and twenty-five dollars. The Early Bush varieties are grown largely around Norfolk and Charleston, but even when brought from so far South, the profits are not high, seldom being more than one hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre. When the expenses are deducted from this amount, the profit is still less. The varieties of Squash are numerous, but those generally grown are but few. Earty Wutre Buss is one of the earliest and best kinds for market or home nse. Earty Yettow Bosu.—Similar to the above, only differing in color. Plant four by three. 282 SQUASH. Earty Busn Summer Crooxneck is an old favor- ite variety for summer use. The vines are compact and bear abundantly. The fruit is yellow, covered thickly with warty excrescences, and grows eight or nine inches long. Plant four by three. EARLY WHITE BUSH SQUASH, Bosrow Marrow is a popular variety for Fall and Winter use. With careful treatment it can be kept until the first of January. The color of the flesh is orange, it is of a fine SUMMER BUSH CROOKNECK, grain, and cooks as dry as a Potato. Plant eight by eight. Hussarp.—tThis is a Fall and Winter variety, equal, if not superior, in quality to the Boston Mar- row. The skin being very hard, it keeps better ; with care it can be kept until May. It is a good SWEET POTATOES. 233 variety for garden or field-culture. Plant eight by eight. Yoxonoma.—This variety is from Japan, sent here by Mr. Thomas Hogg, and, after a ten years’ trial, proves to be a valuable acquisition. It is of a pale green color, changing later in the season to a dull orange. The surface is ribbed and warted. The flesh is solid, orange color, fine grained, and BOSTON MARROW. cooks dry, with a high flavor of excellent quality. Can be kept until March. Winter Crooxneck is popular in New England for Winter use. The vines grow luxuriantly and bear a Squash with a long, solid neck; color pale yellow, flesh tender, and good for pies. Three or four ounces of Squash-seed, of the dif- ferent kinds, when properly cultivated, will give an abundance for Summer and Winter use. SWEET POTATO. Ipomoea batatas. Within the last ten years, the culture of the Sweet Potato has increased very materially, in some of the 234 SWEET POTATOES. Middle States. Formerly the supply for the North. ern markets came from Virginia and the Carolinas, but now farmers in New Jersey and other States as far north, having light sandy soil, are turning their attention more and more every year to the cultiva- tion of it as a profitable market crop. It is useless to attempt growing the Sweet Pota- toes, with any hopes of success, on a heavy clay soil. They will only reach their full size on a light, warm, sandy soil. In the Northern or Middle States the plants should be started under glass, and transplanted to the open air in June. About the first of April a moderate hot-bed is made, putting on top of the manure, when the frame is in place, two inches of good garden-soil. The Po- tatoes selected for seed, should be fine specimens. These should be cut lengthwise in two, then placed close to each other, fiat side down, in the frame, and covered at once with about three inches of garden- mould, putting on the sashes immediately. In fifteen days from the time of planting, the young sprouts will be well above ground; then they should have an abundance of air daily, or else they will grow too long and spindling. They may be grown in hills, three feet apart each way—either in the open field or garden. A shovelful of well-rotted manure is thrown on the spot and well mixed with the soil, forming a raised mound like a Cucumber hill, only larger. The plants may be separated from the Pota- to by pressing them off with the thumb and finger. They should be at once planted in the hill; this must be done early in June, on a damp or cloudy day: SWEET POTATOES. 235 The ground should be kept free from weeds, by fre- quent stirrings with a cultivator or hand-hoe. When the vines begin to run, they should be lifted carefully, by hand, and their positions changed, so that they may not take root early in the season. If allowed to do so, the Potatoes, even with a strong growth of vine, will not be as large as they otherwise would. The Sweet Potato is the only vegetable with which Iam familiar that will do better on shallow than on deep-ploughed land. When the ground is worked deep the roots grow long and very slender. In garden-culture, we frequently tramp the spot hard before putting on the manure and making the hill, and find it works well. If the plants are taken off carefully, a second crop of plants will soon come up thickly, and grow full size, in time to set out in the open field. Between three and four thousand plants can be grown under a sash 3 x 6. When the soil is light and warm, suited to the growth of the Sweet Potato, it is a more profitable crop to raise than the common Potato. From one to two hundred dollars can be made from an acre. Twelve or fifteen hills should yield a bushel of Pota- toes, There are only two or three kinds that are culti- vated. Nansemonp is the best and earliest variety grown in the Middle States. The roots are short but thick, flesh yellow, dry, and of a fine flavor. Yetrow Sxiv is grown chiefly in the Carolinas, where it is highly valued for its fine quality for the table. It grows large, twelve inches long, swollen 236 SWEET POTATOES. in the middle, three inches in diameter ; flesh yellow and fine grained. Rep Sxiv.—The roots of this variety grow long and thin. It is not desirable where the other kinds are cultivated. CHAPTER XTIL TOMATO. Lycopersicum esculentum. Tue Tomato is very extensively grown in many sections of the country. When properly managed, it usually pays a handsome profit on the capital in- vested. In common with many others, who have been for some years practically engaged in horticultural pur- suits, we are frequently questioned by beginners about the cultivation of the Tomato as a source of profit: How much will an acre yield under ordinary treatment, and the sum total that can be relied on with any degree of certainty? It is not an easy mat- ter to answer such queries satisfactorily to the person propounding them, from the fact that so much de- pends on circumstances, such as proximity to a good market, earliness, and the character of the soil on which they are grown. Even with professional gardeners, the Toinato is a precarious crop. It is ex- ceedingly perishable; three or four days’ rain, or damp and muggy weather at the time of ripening, often spoils a very considerable part of the crop ; or, even when gathered and packed in good order for market, rough or careless handling will so injure the appearance of Tomatves, that they have to be sold for i 238 TOMATOES. a low figure, at a time when sound ones are bringing high rates. Again, a great deal depends upon the skill of the cultivator in preparing his ground and managing his plants, so as to bring the crop forward a week or ten days earlier than the main crop from the same vicinity. We have known of numerous instances where two gardeners in the same neigh- borhood would grow a certain number of baskets of Tomatoes every year; one of them, by skill and close application to his business, would make from an acre, from five to seven hundred dollars, while the other would not make more than two hundred and fifty dollars. Every intelligent gardener knows the importance, in Tomato culture, of having strong, stout, and stocky plants when the time arrives for transplanting into the open ground. In fact, where this part of the business is overlooked or neglected, it would be wiser and in every way better for the farmer or gardener to devote his land to Potatoes or Corn, instead of Tomatoes. The consumption of Tomatoes is, of course, im- mense; but it makes a very decided difference to the grower whether he has a term or one, two, or three weeks in the Tomato season, when his fruit will be in brisk demand at prices ranging from three to four dollars per basket of twenty quarts; or he is compelled to commence selling at fifty cents per basket, on a falling market, which will soon reach ten cents. At these low rates, the demand is not as good as when Tomatoes were bringing three dollars a basket. Twelve or fourteen days in the date of ripening, TOMATOES. 289 will often make a difference of two or three hundred dollars on an acre. To gain this time, practical gardeners make use of every means to hasten the ripening. Transplanting the plants two or three times before setting them in the field has a tendency to bring about this result, and this system is general- ly adopted by the best cultivators. Within the last six or seven years, Tomatoes have been grown in some of the Southern States, and shipped North in such quantities, as to create, what might be termed, a panic among Northern growers. Those sent from points south of Virginia usually arrive in damaged condition, owing to the careless picking and packing of many of the Southern grow- ers, and they have not, so far, conflicted with the in- terests of Northern gardeners. But Norfolk, Va., and Delaware Tomatoes, are now sent into New York and other Northern markets, almost as fresh as those grown in New Jersey or on Long Island. Large quantities coming from these sources, have re- duced the profits of Northern growers. In growing Tomatoes for market, the frames form a very important but at the same time a very expensive item. At least from six to eight thou- sand plants can be grown in a seed-bed (full direc- tions for which will be found under Hot-Beds) ; these, however, must be transplanted into other frames, put- ting only sixty plants to a sash, and when they are set in place in the field four by four, this would take two thousand seven hundred and twenty-two plants to an acre, and from forty to fifty sashes. There are hundreds of acres of Tomatoes grown 240 TOMATOES. arreund New York by contract for canning. For this pzrpose the matter of earliness is not so important, and a couple of hundred plants may be put in a trans- planting bed. The canning companies usually pay from forty to fifty cents a bushel, and growers do well at these prices. Som.—The Tomato is one of the few plants grown by market-gardeners for profit that will pay better when planted in a poor than in a rich soil. I do not mean a barren soil, but such as a gardener would look upon as poor. Before planting, the ground should be thoroughly and deeply ploughed and mel- lowed. Then the furrows should be marked out with two horses and a plough four feet each way. At each intersection throw a small handful of Peruvian guano. Then carefully lift the plants from the frames, each one having a ball or square piece of earth attached to the roots. For this purpose use a long-bladed knife, making a cut on the four sides of the plants, which are then placed in a barrow or spring wagon and taken to the field. The plants are set in place on top of the guano or other stimu- lant, some soii is drawn around the ball of earth, which is pressed firmly by the hands of the operator, and so on until the field is finished. When the plants have had plenty of room in the frames, then lifted as described above, they are not checked by transplanting in the open ground. The roots will very soon come in contact with the guano; this will force the plants forward more rapidly than any other treatment with which we have experimented. When Tomatoes are planted in strong, rich ground, TOMATOES. 941 they run too much to vines; and although, taking the season through, there will be more fruit, it comes too late in the season, when Tomatoes are plenty and cheap. In cultivating Tomatoes in a large way, the only trouble is to grow the plants. When once in per- manent place they require less care than Corn. All that is necessary is to keep the ground well cultivated with horse implements, hand-hoeing once or twice during the season immediately around the plants. Yrerp rer Acre.—In 1864 we contracted with parties to grow them ten’ thousand baskets of Toma- toes. The Summer of that year was excessively warm and dry, and from a want of experience in handling and shipping so many, quite a large proportion of them spoiled on the vines. Still, from the number of acres planted, the average yield gathered was nine hundred baskets to the acre. Since then a careful and large grower has assured me that he has repeated- ly gathered one thousand bushels from an acre, and T have not the least doubt as to the correctness of the estimate. Taking a small piece of ground, we have frequently got a higher average than this, but when grown by the acre, the calculations have to be made accordingly. It will take about twenty-seven hun- dred plants to an acre, and each plant should produce one peck of marketable fruit, making about seven hundred bushels. This is a fair estimate of the yield of Tomatoes, and it can be safely stated that the gardener or farm- er, who starts out with a firm determination to cul- tivate and manage his field with care and discretion 249 TOMATOES, may, in a favorable season, rely upon six or seven hundred bushels of Tomatoes to the acre. These figures are based entirely on good cultiva- tion, for we have seen many an acre of Tomatoes that did not yield two hundred bushels. Varieties.—There is now a long catalogue of varieties of Tomatoes, many of them recently intro- duced. Among these new kinds, some have special merit for the kitchen-garden, but so far we have grown no variety that will compare, in earliness, quality, and productiveness for market, with the old favorite. Smootu Rounp Rep.—It is early, smooth, solid, medium and uniform in size, and ripens to the stem. The best market variety. Tropuy.—This new variety was sent out last Spring for the first time by Col. George E. Waring, of Newport, R. I. We have cultivated a number of plants of the “Trophy,” and we feel satisfied that it is a valuable acquisition to our list of Tomatoes. In quality, quantity of crop, and size of fruit, it is all that Colonel Waring claims for it; in fact, for solidity and quality it is superior to any variety with which we are familiar. Until the time comes when Toma- toes are sold by weight, and not by measure, the Trophy will not become a popular market variety ; for the reason that a huckster cannot measure a quart or two of Tomatoes so large as they are. For home consumption, the Trophy cannot help beconi- ing a favorite, provided the variety is kept pure. When it is more generally cultivated, this will be a TOMATOES. 243 \ difficult task. The specimen Tomatoes from which we procured seed were very large, smooth, and round. At least one-half of the crop from this seed was of a different shape, although the whole crop of fruit was of large size. It is not as early as the Smooth Round Red. Tirpen.—This variety we have grown three years in succession, then dropped it from our list as un- worthy of a place. It is a light bearer, not early, and more liable to rot than any of the other large kinds. Coocr’s F'avorrrr.—This is a reliable variety, and popular in some sections for market. The fruit is round, smooth, solid, and abundant. It is not with us as early as the Early Smooth Red. Lxsrer’s Prrrecrep is large, late; color pinkish red, smooth, and solid. Only fit for home use. Larcr YEtiow is a medium-sized Tomato, of a bright yellow color. Fruit round and solid. Only grown in the kitchen-garden. Prar-Snavep and Cuerry are grown exclusively for pickling and preserving, for which they are very popular. Plants for family use can be started, in pots or boxes in warm rooms, in March, and by the middle of May—the time to transplant them—they will be strong and stocky. Seed may be sown ina protected border in April, and transplanted in June for a late crop, that will yield until frost. The bearing season of all the varieties may be lengthened by training the vines to a frame-work. 944 TURNIPS. From twenty-five to fifty plants will be enough to stock the kitchen-garden, planted four feet apart each way. TURNIP. Brassica rapa. The Turnip crop is an important one to the farmer as well as to the market-gardener. But, as yet, its culture is nothing like as extensive as the value of this root for feeding stock and for culinary purposes would warrant. In the milk and beef-producing districts of the Middle States, Turnips can be grown with profit for Winter and Spring feeding of stock. Sheep will thrive well when fed in part with Turnips through the cold weather. We are inclined to believe that the time is not far distant when the good husbandman will be forced to accept this proposition, and devote more acres to the production of this root for stock-feeding. Within the last dozen years the culture of Tur- nips has very considerably increased in this country ; it will, no doubt, go on steadily from year to year, but more rapidly when farmers will make use of some of the improved horse-tools. These, when properly applied, will reduce the expense of culti- vation at least one-half. The main crop of Turnips is grown in the Fall, and very commonly as a second crop. Those who grow Early Potatoes for market harvest them in time to sow Turnip-seed, and, by this method, pro- duce two crops from the same ground in one year TURNIPS. 945 In locations where this plan can be carried out, the crop of Turnips will often give as much profit as the crop of Potatoes. We have frequently grown a crop of Strap-leaf Red-Top Turnips on the same ground with Corn, by sowing the seed broadcast in July, just before the Corn was cultivated the last time. We have often had, in this way, three or four hundred bushels of good-sized Turnips in November, from sowing only one pound of seed to the acre. Som.—The Turnip will grow freely on any kind of soil—from a light sandy loam, to a heavy clay— provided the ground is mellow and fertile when the seed is sown. This is the important point in grow- ing Turnips. As a matter of course, those kinds that have to be cultivated in rows can be grown with much less expense on a free soil without stones, than on a heavy clay soil with stones. Nor does the soil need to be very rich to produce a full crop. When sown on rich soil, the growth of tops will be too large, without a corresponding growth of the roots. On ground well manured in the Spring, for Early Potatoes, and after these have been dug, in July, ploughed and harrowed, a crop of Turnips can be grown without any additional manure. But we usually, before harrowing, spread broadcast two or three hundred pounds of superphosphate to the acre. In garden-culture, on ground where Potatoes, Peas, Beans, &e., &c., have been taken off, some wood- ‘ashes, bone-flour, or superphosphate, may be applied in the same way with advantage, before sowmg the Turnip-seed. Qurture,—The ground should be well worked 246 HEXAMER PRONG: HOE. TURNIPS. before sowing the seed. When a Summer crop of Potatoes has been grown, one ploughing, in most instances, will suffice; but, otherwise, two ploughings will be found to give the most sat- isfactory returns. The time of sowing for the main crop will depend on the location and the kind to be grown. At our farm in New Jersey, we sow the Ruta Baga from the 20th of June un- til the 15th of July, as the case may be. With the Yellow Stone, Aber- deen, Long White Cow-Horn, and Strap-leaf Red-Top, we sow them in the order named; in relation to time, from the middle of July to the 1st of September. The last-named sort, which is very extensively grown, will, on well- prepared soil, attain full size in much the shortest time. In 1866 we sowed a field of this kind be- tween the 10th and 15th of Sep- tember, and in ninety days we gathered a fine crop of Turnips. In growing Turnips for mar- ket or for feeding-purposes, the Ruta Baga is most highly valued. This variety is always grown in rows; in field-culture they should TURNIPS. 247% be two feet apart, so as to admit of horse-tools in cultivation. We ridge the ground before sowing the seed, in the same way and for the same reasons as recommended for Carrots. The seed is sown with a machine, using one and a half pounds to an acre. If the seed is fresh and the weather favorable, in twelve days from the date of sowing the plants will be up; then a “root-cleaner” should be run be- tween the rows at once, running twice in each space. This should be repeated in ten or twelve days. The cost of cultivation is trifling, if the ground between the rows is disturbed often enough to pre- vent the weeds from starting. “A stitch in time saves nine ;” for, if neglected at this stage of growth, the expenses will amount to five times as much, and, at the same time, the crop will be lessened. When the plants are two or three inches high, they may be thinned out to four inches apart in the row. The thinning can be done more quickly by one person going in advance of the others, with a hoe four inches wide, and chopping out the young Turnips, leaving three or four in a bunch every four inches apart. These are removed by hand, allowing only one to remain in a place. When timely care is taken with Ruta Bagas, this is the only hand-labor called for during their growth. It is frequently recommended to sow the Ruta Baga in seed-beds, and then, at the proper time in favorable weather, transplant into rows at the distances named. We have tried this method time and again, and always with the same result; that is, an increased expense in growing this crop, under our management. 248 TURNIPS. The Yellow Stone and Aberdeen we sow two and three weeks later, treating them in the same way as Ruta Bagas. On very mellow ground we sometimes sow the seed on the level, marking the rows three inches wider, so as to give more room for the horse- tools. The Cow-IIorn and Strap-leaf will yield more to the acre when sown in rows; but, as a rule, farmers sow these two kinds broadcast, because there is no “bother” in cultivation. Last year a friend of the writer raised eight hundred bushels of the Cow-Horn on an acre. The seed was sown broadcast during the first week in August, using only three-quarters of a pound of seed. When sown broadcast and scat- tered evenly, three-quarters of a pound of fresh seed will be found a full complement for an acre. In garden-culture, Turnip-seed should always be sown in rows twelve or fifteen inches apart, and the plants thinned to three or four inches apart in the row. For table use, a medium-sized Turnip is pre- ferable. Two ounces of seed, comprising two or three sorts, will give enough for family use during the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Harvestinc.—In the latitude of New York, Tur- nips are pulled in November, by hand, throwing three or four rows together, the roots all one way. The tops are then cut off and the Turnips placed in a root-cellar, or pitted, in the same way as Carrots and Beets. If grown for stock-feeding, the white kinds should be used first. The yellow sorts and Ruta Bagas can be kept, if necessary, until Spring. TURNIPS. 949 Prorits.—These will depend on the locality and the purposes for which Turnips are grown. Where we are located, Ruta Bagas and Yellow Stones are worth, by the quantity, from forty to sixty cents a bushel, and sell readily at these prices. All through the past Winter, Yellow Stones sold for one dollar and seventy-five cents per barrel, and Ruta Bagas for two dollars. At these rates Turnips pay handsomely, when grown as a second crop, with a yield of from four to six hundred bush- els to the acre. Vanieties.— Of these there can be found a long list on seedsmen’s cata- logues, but, like most other kinds of vegetables, only a few kinds are grown by .those who have experience. Among the best is the American Iwprovep Rvura Baea.—This variety is cultivated both for mar- ket and stock, and is the AMERICAN TMERON ED best on the list. eae The flesh is solid, tender, and of delicate flavor when cooked. Larne’s Improven is a more vigorous grower than the foregoing, and, if on strong ground, the roots 250 TURNIPS. will average a third larger in size. They are purple above ground, and yellow below. The flesh is solid and yellow. YELLow Stone is one of the most profitable and popular varieties that we grow for market or for table use. The root is nearly round, medium-sized, color light yellow. The flesh is yellow and sweet. YELLOW ABERDEEN grows to a large size. It is generally grown for feed- ing cattle; for this object it is a valuable variety. Cow-Horw.—This kind grows rapidly, forming a long root, not unlike the White Carrot. The Cow- Horn is cultivated exclu- sively for feeding stock, and when sown in good ground, the yield is very large—from eight hun- dred to one thousand bush- elsare frequently produced from an acre. Srrap-LEAF Rep-Tor is well and favorably known in almost every part of the country. It is purple above and white below. The flesh is white, and very tender when cooked (p. 252). Frat Durcn, or Sprine.—The Flat Dutch is sown in the Spring, as an early variety for table use. It is grown on a large scale, by gardeners, in the vicinity of a market. YELLOW STONE, TURNIES. 251 It is a white Turnip, and when of medium size the quality is good. Turnips are subject to the ravages of the same kinds of insects that injure Cabbages. We have known instances where the whole crop was badly injured by club-root. The black flea (Haltica striolata) destroys the young plants when they ap- pear above the surface. The same remedies recom- mended for Cabbages will an- swer for Turnips. HERBS. The vegetable garden is not / complete without its stock of the sweet herbs. The treat- ment of all that are commonly grown is so nearly the same, it is hardly necessary to give separate directions for the va- rious kinds. A seed-bed should be pre- pared early in the Spring— made rich, loose, and mellow, raking the surface and remov- ing all stones, lumps, &c., &e. Then open shallow rows one COW-HORN. foot apart for the seed. A small package of each kind, costing ten cents, will give an abundance for 952 HERBS. family use. The seed is sown in these drills, each kind by itself, and covered by raking the bed in the direction of the rows. The seed-bed should be kept free from weeds by frequent disturbance of the soil. When the plants are an inch above the surface, they may be thinned out to four inches apart in the row. STRAP-LEAF RED-TOP, A larger yield will be obtained by transplanting into another bed in June, setting the plants one foot apart each way. The only care will be to prevent the weeds from gaining any headway. In the Fall, the tops should be cut off, tied in HERBS. 253 small bunches, dried, and then carefully packed away in boxes until wanted. Among those in general use, may be named Ba- sil, Caraway, Marjoram, Rose Mary, Sage, Summer Savory, and Thyme. 12 CHAPTER XIV. FORCING-HOUSES FOR VEGETABLES. The culture of special crops, on an extensive scale, is now the policy of the most successful gardeners around New York, and the tendency of the entire trade is gradually working in the same direction. For many years past there has been, in New York and Boston, a large and growing demand, dur- ing the Winter and Spring months, for what garden- ers call, Frame Lettuce. As managed at present, with bottom-heat, growing this kind of Lettuce is a large, and, when properly understood, a lucrative branch of gardening. Until recently, this Winter Lettuce was brought forward in hot-beds, started in the Fall. If found necessary, the manure was renewed during the Win- ter, after the first or second crop had been sold, so that three crops of Lettuce and one of Cucumbers were, with close attention, taken off from these beds between the first of November and’ the fifteenth of June. Within the last three years a number of forcing- houses, heated by hot water, have been built in the vicinity of New York, by gardeners, for the purpose of growing vegetables (Lettuce, Radishes, and Cu- cumbers), during the Winter. Some of these houses FORCING-HOUSES FOR VEGETABLES. 255 in our neighborhood, have now been in operation two years. We have watched their workings with a con- siderable degree of interest, and we have concluded that this style of structure, for the purpose named, is more economical, and for those who can command the means requisite for building, it will eventually su- persede the old hot-bed system. With one of these houses, a private family Por, RIDGE-POLE. could have the table well supplied, at a comparatively trifling cost, with fresh vegetables through the whole Winter; besides such a building could, at any time, be turned into a green-house or conservatory. With the commercial gardener, this is a new branch of the business, and many mistakes will probably be made at the outset, both in construc- tion and in management, while the crops are growing, by allowing the temperature ‘o be regulated by inex- perienced persons. When forcing Lettuce or Radishes, the temperature, during the cold weather, should be® through the night about forty-five degrees, and du~ “MaIA AUNE—SHSNOH-YNIOMOT 256 FORCING-HOUSES FOR VEGETABLES. ing the day not above seventy degrees—ranging be- tween these two figures. These houses may be built any desired length from one to three hundred feet and from two to eight in width, or connected, as shown in the end view, p. 255. Each house is eleven feet wide, with a table on either side and a passage-way twenty inches wide, the floor of which should be six and a half feet clear from the ridge-pole. These buildings are heated by hot water, a double row of four-inch pipes, under each table, supported every ten or twelve feet by brick pillars, eighteen inches high, which will bring the pipes within fifteen inches of the tables. There are quite a number of these patent heating apparatuses, now in general use, near New York. As far as we have been able to examine them, there is very little difference, either in the expense or in the working of some of these various patents. Of those most popular among gardeners, are Hichings & Co’s., C. R. Ellis’s, and Weathered and Chesevoy’s any one of which will answer the purpose. The outside walls should be put up as follows: a post is set every four feet and weather-boarded, then a space on the inside of two inches, and an eight- inch brick wall, on which rests the outside gutter plate. The ridge-pole is five inches by two and a half, cut in on either side three-quarters of an inch (as seen on p. 255), to give a bearing for the upper end of the sash to rest on. The gutter plates are twelve inches wide, four inches thick, and supported by posts FORCING-HOUSES FOR VEGETABLES. 257 every ten or twelve feet. A narrow board is nailed inside, on each side of the plate, for the lower end of the sash to rest on. The sashes are 3x 6 and made of glass 8 x 10, on account of giving more light. Every alternate sash is permanently fastened by three large screws on either end. The others can be raised up on top to admit air, when necessary. This is con- veniently done by having a piece of flat iron fastened to the sash, and three or four holes in the iron. The sash is raised to the height required, by this piece of iron and secured by a pin driven in the ridge-pole, which holds the iron in place. On the inside of the lower end of the frame of each of the movable sashes, is screwed a piece of inch stuff, three and a half feet long. Two inches of this narrow strip of wood, on either side, will project under the permanent sashes and thus prevent the movable ones from being lifted off by a gale of wind. All through the Winter, and more especially towards Spring, a considerable amount of water is needed to keep the plants in good condition. This water is saved from the gutters of the houses, led by pipes into a cistern, which runs across the houses. A neigh- bor who has three houses, one hundred and twenty feet long, each, has a cistern, twenty-seven feet long, eight feet deep and seven feet wide, which holds a sufficient supply of water. Another grower, who has five connected houses, each two hundred feet long, has a different arrangement. At about one hundred feet from either end of these houses, the pitch of the roof is changed, running across from east to west, the main -houses run from north to 258 FORCING-HOUSES FOR VEGETABLES. south. This is intended for economy in time, in being able to go from one house to another, without having to go to either end. At the west end of this cross-pitch is a one-quarter horse-power Ericsgon’s caloric engine, attached to a small pump, throwing an inch stream. Above this apparatus there is a tank, made of two-inch chestnut and lined with lead. Around this tank, which holds four hundred gallons, there is a brick wall, leaving a space of three or four inches between the outside of the tank and the bricks. In less than two hours, and with an expense of about eight or ten pounds of coal, this little engine fills the tank with water. The hose, one and a quarter inches, for watering, is attached to the tank, and by ERICSSON’S CALORIC ENGINE AND this means one man PUMP. or boy can water the beds, instead of two, which the hand force-pump re- quires. The total cost of this engine and pump is two hundred and fifty dollars—it more than pays for itself in a year. The caloric engine needs no en- gineer to attend to it; there is no danger of an ex- plosion, and it does the work of pumping this daily amount of water at very low cost. At the southern end of these houses, every inch of space is utilized, and economically laid out, by continuing the glass roof around the end, leaving a FORCING-HOUSES FOR VEGETABLES. 259 passage-way inside connecting all the five houses, with a forcing-table on either side of this passage. A shed made of wood or brick is necessary at the north end of the houses. This will serve a double purpose—as a market-house for preparing the “ stuff,” and it will prevent the snow from drifting into the alleys. A board fence running along the west side, will also be found of service for this purpose. The tables should be three or four inches below the lower edge of the gutter plates, to prevent rot- ting of the timbers. All the boards of the tables should be painted with tar, before putting them in place. There is nothing gained by boarding up the sides, along the passage-way—a single board five or six inches wide, nailed along the outside edge to keep the earth in its place, will be quite sufficient. A rich soil, about six or seven inches deep, made up of one-third well-rotted- manure and two-thirds garden soil is put on the tables. The first crop of Lettuce, thirty-five plants to a sash is planted about the 20th of October. Very little heat is required before December. This crop is ready for market about Christmas. The soil is then worked over and planted again. This crop will be ready in about nine weeks more—then a third planting is set out, to be followed by cucumbers. At first, gardeners depended on plants grown in the Fall, for the several crops, but during last Winter, a few, who fell short of old plants, sowed seed in the houses at the time of planting the Lettuce. These plants were large enough for the next crop, and did much better than the older ones, 260 FORCING-HOUSES FOR VEGETABLES. It will take about four tons of coal to heat one hundred feet of house, and one boiler will heat three hundred feet with twelve tons. The total expense of building this kind of house will average from ten dollars to thirteen dollars a foot, according to circumstances. This includes not only the houses, but all the forcing-pumps, &c., &e. The gross receipts from the four crops, will amount to about five dollars a sash; from which two dollars may be deducted for expenses, leaving a prof- it of three dollars a sash. We have known fre- quently of profits being double this amount, but some instance shave also come under our notice where they were not as large. A crop of Radishes will pay about the same as Lettuce, per sash—the only advantage is, that Rad- ishes will be ready for market in six or seven weeks, while Lettuce will take nine. James Muir & Sons, who have seven hundred and eighty feet of this class of forcing-houses, which cost them for construction ten dollars a lineal foot, now, after two years’ experience, make the following ex- hibit of one year’s crops: Gross receipts from four crops............4+ $2,562 41 Interest on $7,800, at 10 per cent.... $780 00 Coal caveman diver aainie sve ne oe ainsi 200 00 Labor: ti 62454 Gs oroiteaeu sdene es 300 00 Manure: 2: ceniscveo cies ne ceed say 50 00 1,330 00 Neb: profits, cc. .heiccc cand eues oun wena $1,282 41 Let no one flatter himself that this business is ali * sunshine.” There are serious obstacles .constantly FORCING-HOUSES FOR VEGETABLES, 261 presenting themselves, very discouraging to those who have already built this kind of house for forcing vegetables. The greatest drawback is the damping off of the plants in some parts of the beds. This oc- curs at any stage of the growth, and without any ap- parent cause. Sometimes when the Lettuce is half or two-thirds grown, in certain spots, the plants look wilted, the leaves droop, and they might just as well be pulled out at once and thrown away, for they only get worse the longer they remain. A friend, who is largely engaged in this business, told me a short time ago, that in one of his houses at least a third of the crop was worthless from this cause, while in the other two houses along side, planted and cared for in the same way, there was not an injured specimen to be found. In some cases the roots are rotted off, in others the outside coating of the root seems loose and comes off very readily, no insect marks of any kind being discernible in either instance. Again, the roots may be sound, but the leaves lose vigor and droop when the sun shines. I am inclined to think that this condition or disease is brought about by keeping the temperature of the houses above fifty degrees with fire-heat. The aphides, or “ green fly,” are very troublesome ; if neglected they will soon get the better of the gar- dener and destroy his crop of Lettuce in part or en- tirely. They are very destructive, and multiply at an enormous rate. To guard against these little pests the houses must be fumigated with Tobacco stems twice a week. For this purpose a number of sheet-iron fur- 12* 262 FORCING-HOUSES FOR VEGETABLES. with a grate placed near the bottom, and an opening below to give draft, are very serviceable. Some shavings and Tobacco stems are put into the fur- naces, which are placed in different parts of the houses, then lighted, and the work is very soon ac- complished.. To prevent the Tobacco from burning too fast a cover is placed on each furnace ; this checks the draft and increases the quantity of smoke. As stated in the chapter on Hot-Beds, the curled varieties of Lettuce will not answer for forcing. The most reliable kinds for this purpose are the Tennis Ball and Boston Head, or White-seeded Butter Lettuce. In planting three or four houses with Lettuce it is advisable not to plant the whole at the same time; it will be better to have some difference in the date of ripening. The space under the tables can be used in grow- ing Rhubarb, for which there is a demand, early in the season, at high prices. Chives can also be forced in the same way, or, better still, they can be put into thumb-pots and set on the ground under the tables. Asparagus can be forced in these houses, with more economy than in hot-beds, from roots five or six years old. Also, Strawberries will do well, if plant- ed on the tables, at any time during the Winter, eight inches apart each way. In conclusion, any kind of “stuff” that can be grown in a hot-bed or green-house, can also be grown in these forcing: houses. CHAPTER XV. A LIST OF VEGETABLE SEEDS FOR THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. For those persons who are not familiar with the best kinds and quantity of garden Seed necessary to supply a family of eight or ten persons, I append the following list, which may help béginners, or those who may want to stock their gardens with an abund- ant supply of the leading kinds of vegetables for home use. With Radishes, Peas, and Bush Beans, there should be a succession of plantings, say every two or three weeks, from April until the middle of July. This will give a supply of young Radishes, Peas, and Beans until late in the Fall. DWARF BEANS. Early Valentine, Refugee or One Thousand to One, and White Kidney; two quarts of the three sorts. POLE BEANS. Large White Lima, and Horticultural Cranberry ; mne pint each, will plant one hundred and fifty hills. BEETS. Early Blood Turnip, Bassano, and Long Smooth Blood ; two ounces of each. 264 A LIST OF SEEDS. ~ CABBAGE, Jersey Wakefield for early, Large Flat Dutch and Drunihead Savoy for late. A small package of each kind, or one hundred plants of each sort, will be an abundance. SWEET CORN. Two quarts of a couple or three varieties, planted at different dates, will be enough. CUCUMBER. White Spine and Long Green ; one ounce of each will be enough for early and late CARROT. Long Orange, or Bliss’ Improved Long Orange, are the best varieties for the garden; two ounces of either will be enough. CAULIFLOWER. Ilalf Early Paris, and Early Erfurt, are the most reliable ; half an ounce of either will give plenty of plants. CELERY. White Solid, Dwarf Incomparable, or Boston Market ; one ounce will give three thousand plants. EGG PLANT. The Improved New York is the best. A small paper of seed will give enough of plants, When A LIST OF SEEDS. 265 they grow well, they will produce from six to ten egos to a plant—twenty-five plants. LETTUCE. Simpson’s Curled and Black Seeded Butter; a small paper of each. MUSK MELON. Skillman’s Fine Netted, and Nutmeg ; one ounce will plant fifty hills. WATER MELON. Mountain Sweet and Mountain Sprout (and Cit- ron for preserves) ; one ounce will plant thirty hills. ONIONS. Wethersfield Large Red, Yellow Danvers, and White Portugal; four ounces of seed will produce enough for table use. PARSNIPS. Long Smooth ; one ounce of fresh seed. PEAS. Philadelphia Extra Early, Tom Thumb, Cham- pion of England, White and Black Marrowfats ; one pint of each, sowed in the order named. PEPPERS. Large Squash and Bull-Nose; a small paper of seed will give plants enough—twenty-five plants. 266 A LIST OF SEEDS. RADISH. Early Turnip Scarlet, Short-Top Long Scarlet, White Spanish, Black Spanish ; one ounce of each, sowed in the order named. SPINACH. Round Smooth-leaved ; four ounces sowed in Sep- tember and two in April. SALSIFY. This vegetable should be included in every well stocked garden ; two ounces will be enough. SQUASH. White Bush, White Summer Crook Neck, Boston Marrow, and Hubbard; one ounce of the early varieties will plant forty hills, and the same quantity of seed will plant only twenty hills of the Boston Marrow or Hubbard. TOMATO. Smooth Round Red and Trophy, a small paper of each, or fifty plants, will give an abundant supply. TURNIPS. White Dutch, (for early), Strap-leaf Red-Top, Yellow Stone, and Improved American Ruta Baga: one ounce of each. A LIST OF SEEDS, 264 THE QUANTITY OF SEED TO AN ACRE. Beans (bush, , ‘ ds ‘ : 14 bush. “ Pole, . ‘ Fi : ‘ . 12 qts. Beets, . F F - ’ 5 Ibs. Carrots, ‘ é ‘ , F . 4 Cucumbers, ‘ ‘ j : : Bess Corn (in hills), 3 : : : . 8 qts. Musk Melon, . , : : : 2 Ibs. Water “. . . ‘ : . 8 to4 lbs, Onions, : ‘ - : 7 . 4to5 “ Parsnips, ‘ j i . é go “ Peas (in drills), . ‘ 3 F F 14 bush. Radishes, : “ : : . 5 lbs. Salsify, . : . F : : 5 Spinach, é . : , ; Sac Gi Squash, . : F ; : ‘ 3 Turnips in drills, . : . : ey 1g“ «“ broadcast, . ‘ ; : 1 * The quantities given are often varied. In case we have any doubts about the seed being fresh, the quantity is increased, &c. &e. VITALITY OF GARDEN SEED. The vitality of many kinds of garden seeds will depend on the temperature in which they are kept. As fast as the different kinds of such are gathered, properly dried and cleaned in the Summer and Fall, they should be put in cotton bags, and tied up to the rafters in the seed-room or garret, where the dry air can circulate about them freely. When stored in a damp, close atmosphere, garden seeds will very soon lose their germinating power. 268 DISTANCE TABLE. As a rule fresh seed are best, but there are a number of kinds that are just as good at three or four years old as they were at one. Asparagus and Beets are good at two years. Carrot, Egg Plant, Parsnip, Salsify, Onion, Peas and Beans, should always be of the previous year’s growth. Cabbage-seed, is good for five years. Celery, Parsley, Spinach, Turnip, Radishes, Cauli- flower and Lettuce, are good for two years. Cu- cumbers, Melons, Squash, and Pumpkins, are better at six years than one. DISTANCE TABLE. The following table will be found useful in eal- culating the number of plants that can be set on an acre, also for the distribution of manure, laying out, beds, &e. &e. There are forty-three thousand five hundred and sixty square feet in an acre of ground, and when set at the respective distance apart, will contain the numbers designated. Distance. Number. Distance. Number, Potty by iteennawtace 43,560 | 6 ft. by 6 ft... 00.0.6... 1,210 Be ES IN ae tee 19,3860} 9 * QD Lol. e eae 537 Bi NE BO apace de ae LO;S90 | 12: 8 92 gicess ces wes 302 2 ne) a eae ee 6,970 | Ts 8 1S sanwer eeu 194 Bo RO YL” ne alettena cds 14,520 | 18 “ 18 Jol... 134 ER DY Aelia leauaintdes W260, 20 98 20 aseeeaecries 103 i an re renee 4,840 25 2 eee 70 Be A | clan lee: B30" 8 B0 ine eeemines 40 BD. sau teaemos 1,742 140 “ 40 11... paKaieas 27 STANDARD BOOKS ORANGE JUDD COMPANY NEW YORK CHICAGO ASHLAND BUILDING Propte’s Gas BuILpING 315-321 Fourth Avenue 150 Michigan Avenue Any of these books wiil be sent by mail, postpaid, to, any part of the world, on receipt of catalog price. We are always happy to correspond with our patrons, and cordially invite them to address us on any matter pertaining to rural books. Send for our large illustrated catalog, free on appli- cation, First Principles of Soil Fertility _ By Atrrep Vivian. There is no subject of more vital importance to the farmer than that of the best method of maintaining the fertility of the soil. The very evident decrease in the fertility of those soils which have been under cultivation for a number of years, combined with the increased competition and the advanced price of labor, have convinced the intelligent farmer that the agriculture of the future must be based upon more rational practices than those which have been followed in the past. We have felt for some time that there was a place for a brief, and at the same time comprehensive, treatise on this important subject of Soil Fertility. Professor Vivian’s experience as a teacher in the short winter courses has admirably fitted him to present this matter in a popular style. In this little book he has given the gist of the subject in plain language, practically devoid of technical and scientific terms. It is pre-eminently a “First Book,” and will be found especially valuable to those who desire an introduction to the subject, and who intend to do subse- quent reading. Illustrated. 5x7 inches. 265 pages. Cloth. Net, $1.00 The Study of Corn By Pror. V. M. SHoesmitH. A most helpful book to all farmers and students interested in the selection and im- provement of corn. It is profusely illustrated from photo- graphs, all of which carry their own story and contribute their part in making pictures and text matter a clear, con- cise and interesting study of corn. Illustrated. 5x7 inches. yoo pages. Cloth. . 2. .- 2 +67 + « ~ Net, fos qa) The Management and Feeding of Cattle By Pror. THomas Suaw. The place for this book will be at once apparent when it is stated that it is the first book that has ever been written which discusses the man- agement and feeding of cattle, from the birth of the calf until it has fulfilled its mission in life, whether on the block or at the pail. The book is handsomely printed on fine paper, from large, clear type. Fully illustrated. 5%4x8 inches. 496 pages.’ Cloth, . . ... . .'. Net, $2.00 The Farmer’s Veterinarian By CuHartrs WititiaAmM Burkett. This book abounds in helpful suggestions and valuable information for the most successful treatment of ills and accidents, and disease troubles. A practical treatise on the diseases of farm stock; containing brief and popular advice on the nature, cause and treatment of disease, the common ailments and the care and management of stock when sick. It is profusely illustrated, containing a number of halftone illustrations, and a great many drawings picturing diseases, their symptoms and familiar attitudes assumed by farm animals when affected with disease, and presents, for the first time, a plain, practical and satisfactory guide for farmers who are interested in the common diseases of the farm. Illustrated. 5x7 inches. 288 pages. Cloth. Net, $1.50. First Lessons in Dairying By Huzzrt E. Van Norman. This splendid little book has been written from a practical point of view, to fill a place in dairy literature long needed. It is designed primarily as a practicai guide to successful dairying, an elementary text-book for colleges and for use especially in short- course classes. It embodies underlying principles involved in the handling of milk, delivery to factory, ship- ping station, and the manufacture of butter on the farm, It is written in a simple, popular way, being free from tech- nical terms, and is easily understood by the average farm boy. The book is just the thing for the every-day dairy- man, and should be in the hands of every farmer in the country. Illustrated. 5x7 inches. 100 pages. Cloth. Net, $0.50. A Dairy Laboratory Guide By H. E. Ross. While the book is intended primarily for use in the laboratory, it should be of value to the practical dairyman. The ioe has come when the suc- cessful dairyman must study hic business from a purely scientific point of view, and in this book the scientific principles, upoa which dairy industry is based, are stated clearly and simply, and wherever it is possible, these prin- ciples are illustrated by practical problems and examples. 90 pages. 5x7 inches Cloth. .... . . Net, $0.50 (2) Profitable Stock Raising By Crarence A. SHamet. This book covers fully the principles of breeding and feeding for both fat stock and dairying type. It teils of sheep and mutton raising, hot house lambs, the swine industry and the horse market. Finally, he tells of the preparation of stock for the market and how to prepare it so that it will bring a high market price. Live stock is the most important feature of farm life, and statistics show a production far short of the actual requirements. There are many problems to be faced in the profitable production of stock, and these are fully and comprehensively covered in Mr. Shamel’s new book. Illustrated. 5x7 inches. 288 pages. Cloth. Net, $1.50 The Business of Dairying By C. B. Lane. The author of this practical little book is to be congratulated on the successful manner in which he has treated so important a subject. It has been pre- pared for the use of dairy students, producers and handlers of milk, and all who make dairying a business. Its pur- pose is to present in a clear and concise manner various business methods and systems which will help the dairy- man to reap greater profits. This book meets the needs, of the average dairy farmer, and if carefully followed will lead to successful dairying. It may also be used as an alementary textbook for colleges, and especially in short- _ourse classes. Illustrated. 5x7 inches. 300 pages. Cloth. Net, $1.25 Questions and Answers on Buttermaking By Cuas A. Pustow. This book is entirely different from the usual type of dairy books, and is undoubtedly in a class by itself. The entire subject of butter-making in all its branches has been most thoroughly treated, and many new and important features have been added. The tests for moisture, salt and acid have received special attention, as have also the questions on cream separa- tion, pasteurization, commercial starters, cream ripening, cream overrun, marketing of butter, and creamery man- agement. Illustrated. 5x7 inches. 100 pages. Cloth. Net, $0.50 Questions and Answers on Milk and Milk Testing By Cuas. A. Pustow, and Hucu C. Troy. A book that no student in the dairy industry can afford to be without. No other treatise of its kind is available, and no book of its size gives so much practical and useful information in the study of milk and milk products. Illustrated. 5x7 inches. 100 pages. Cloth. . ...... Net, $oso (3) ° Soils By Chaxtes WittiamM Burkert, Director Kansas Agri- cultural Experiment Station. The most complete and popular work of the kind ever published. As a rule, a book of this sort is dry and uninteresting, but in this case it reads like a novel. The author has put into it his in- dividuality. The story of the properties of the soils, their improvement and management, as well as a discussion of the problems of crop growing and crop feeding, make this book equally valuable to the farmer, student and teacher. Illustrated. 303 pages. 5%4x8inches. Cloth. . Net, $1.25 Weeds of the Farm Garden By L. H. Pammet. The enormous losses, amounting to several hundred million dollars annually in the United States, caused by weeds stimulate us to adopt a better system of agriculture. The weed question is, therefore a most important and vital one for American farmers This treatise will enable the farmer to treat his field to remove weeds. The book is profusely illustrated by photo- graphs and drawings made expressly for this work, and will prove invaluable to every farmer, land owner, gar- dener and park superintendent. 5x7 inches. 300 pages. Cloth: 2 a @ 2 «6 # & & & @ & & « « » Net Sr50 Farm Machinery and Farm Motors By J. B. Davinson and L. W. Cuase. Farm Machinery and Farm Motors is the first American book published on the subject of Farm Machinery since that written by J. J. Thomas in 1867. This was before the development of many of the more important farm machines, and the general application of power to the work of the farm. Modern farm machinery is indispensable in present-day farming operations, and a practical book like Farm Ma- chinery and Farm Motors will fill a much-felt need. The book has been written from lectures used by the authors before their classes for several years, and which were pre- pared from practical experience and a thorough review of the literature pertaining to the subject. Although written primarily as a text-book, it is equally useful for the prac- tical farmer. Profusely illustrated. 5%4x8 inches. 520 pages, Cloth, . . . 1 «© © © « « « « « « Net, $2.00 The Book of Wheat By P. T. Donpirncer. This book comprises a complete study of everything pertaining to wheat. It is the work of a student of economic as well as agricultural condi- tions, well fitted by the broad experience in both practical and theoretical lines to tell the whole story in a condensed form. It is designed for the farmer, the teacher, and the student as well, Illustrated. 5%4x8 inches. 370 pages. Cloths «<< « «= @ + @- «wee « « Net, $2.00 4) The Cereals in America By Tuomas F. Hunt, M.S., D.Agri., Professor of Agron- omy, Cornell University. If you raise five acres of any kind of grain you cannot afford to be without this book. It is in every way the best book on the subject that has ever been written. It treats of the cultivation and improvement of every grain crop raised in America in a thoroughly practical and accurate manner. The subject-matter includes a comprehen- sive and succinct treatise of wheat, maize, oats, barley, rye, rice, sorghum (kafir corn) and buckwheat, as related particu- larly to American conditions. First-hand knowledge has been the policy of the author in his work, and every crop treated is presented in the light of individual study of the plant. If you have this book you have the latest and best that has been written upon the subject. Illustrated. 450 pages. 5%x8 inches. Cloth, .« » =< «© & # = &@ w + * » » SIL7s§ The Forage and Fiber Crops in America By Tuomas F. Hunt. This book is exactly what its title indicates. It is indispensable to the farmer, student and teacher who wishes all the latest and most important informa- tion on the subject of forage and fiber crops. Like its famous companion, “The Cereals in America,” by the same author, it treats of the cultivation and improvement of every one of the forage and fiber crops. With this book in hand, you have the latest and most up-to-date information available. Illus- trated. 428 pages. 534x8 inches. Clothe . . . . $1.75 The Book of Alfalfa History, Cultivation and Merits. Its Uses as a Forage and Fertilizer. The appearance of the Hon. F. D. Copurn’s little book on Alfalfa a few years ago has been a profit revela- tion to thousands of farmers throughout the country, and the increasing demand for still more information on the subject has induced the author to prepare the present volume, which is by far the most authoritative, complete and valuable work on this forage crop published anywhere. It is printed on fine paper and illustrated with many full-page photographs that were taken with the especial view of their relation to the text. 336 pages. 6% xg inches, Bound in cloth, with gold stamp- ing. It is unquestionably the handsomest agricultural refer- ence book that has ever been issued. Price, postpaid, . $2.00 Clean Milk By S. D. Betcuer, M.D. In this book the author sets forth practical methods for the exclusion of bacteria from milk, and how to prevent contamination of milk from the stable to the consumer. Illustrated. 5 x 7 inches. 146 pages. Cloth. ee © © © © %* © © © © Ye e © » $1 00 (5) Bean Culture “By Gienn C. Sevry, B.S. A practical treatise on the pro duction and marketing of beans. It includes the manner of growth, soils and fertilizers adapted, best varieties, seed selec- tion and breeding, planting, harvesting, insects and fungous pests, composition and feeding value; with a special chapter on markets by Albert W. Fulton. A practical book for the grower and student alike. Illustrated. 144 pages. 5 x 7 inches. Cloth, 2 « 2 « © « «© « «© «© » «© » $0:50 Celery Culture By W. R. Beattie. A practical guide for beginners and a standard reference of great interest to persons already en- gaged in celery growing. It contains many illustrations giving a clear conception of the practical side of celery culture. The work is complete in every detail, from sowing a few seeds in a window-box in the house for early plants, to the handling and marketing of celery in carload lots. Fully illustrated. 150 pages. 5 x 7 inches. Cloth, . . . . . . « $0.50 Tomato Culture By Witt W. Tracy. The author has rounded up in this book the most complete account of tomato culture in all its phases that has ever been gotten togetucr. It is no second- hand work of reference, but a complete story of the practic: * experiences of the best-posted expert on tomatoes in the world. No gardener or farmer can afford to be without the book. Whether grown for home use or commercial purposes, the reader has here suggestions and information nowhere else available. Illustrated. 150 pages. 5x7 inches. Cloth. $0.50 The Potato By SamueL Fraser. This book is destined to rank as a standard work upon Potato Culture. While the practical side has been emphasized, the scientific part has not been neglected, and the information given is of value, both to the grower and to the student. Taken all in all, it is the most complete, réliable and authoritative book on the potato ever published in Amer- ica. Illustrated. 200 pages. 5 x 7 inches. Cloth. . . $0.75 Dwarf Fruit Trees By F. A. WaucuH. This interesting book describes in detail the several varieties of dwarf fruit trees, their propagation, planting, pruning, care and general management. Where there is a limited amount of ground to be devoted to orchard purposes, and where quick results are desired, this book will meet with a warm welcome. Illustrated. 112 pages. 5 x 7 inches. ‘Cloth, « 2. 2. 2. 6 © = * « & & « © $0.50: (6) Cabbage, Cauliflower and Allied Vegetables By C, L. Auten. A practical treatise on the various types and varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, collards and kohl-rabi. An explanation is given of the requirements, conditions, cultivation ahd general man- agement pertaining to the entire cabbage group. After this each class is treated separately and in detail. The chapter on seed raising is probably the most authoritative treatise on this subject ever published. Insects and fungi attacking this class of vegetables are given due attention. Illustrated. 126 pages. 5x 7 inches. Cloth. . . . . . . . « $0.50 Asparagus By F. M. Hexamer. This is the first book published in America which is exclusively devoted to the raising of aspara- gus for home use as well as for market. It is a practice? and reliable treatise on the saving of the seed, raising of the plants, selection and preparation of the soil, planting, cultiva- tion, manuring, cutting, bunching, packing, marketing, canning and drying, insect enemies, fungous diseases and every re- quirement to successful asparagus culture, special emphasis be- ing given to the importance of asparagus as a farm and money crop. Illustrated. 174 pages. 5 x 7 inches. Cloth. . $0.50 The New Onion Culture By T. Grriner. Rewritten, greatly enlarged and brought up to date. A new method of growing onions of largest size and yield, on less land, than can be raised by the old plan. Thousands of farmers and gardeners and many experiment stations have given it practical trials which have proved a success. A complete guide in growing onions with the great- est profit, explaining the whys and wherefores. Illustrated. 5 x 7 inches. 140 pages. Cloth . . . . . . « $050 The New Rhubarb Culture A complete guide to dark forcing and field culture. Part J—By J. E. Morss, the well-known Michigan trucker and originator of the now famous and extremely profitable new methods of dark forcing and field culture. Part II—Com- piled by G. B. Fiske. Other methods practiced by the most experienced market gardeners, greenhouse men and experi- menters in all parts of America. Jllustrated. 136 pages. 5x7 inches. Cloth, . + 6 + «© © + « ¢ + +. $050 (7) Alfalfa By F. D. Cosurn. Its growu., uses, and feeding value. The tact that alfalfa thrives in almost any soil; that without reseeding, it goes on yielding two, three, four, and sometimes five cuttings annually for five, ten, or perhaps 100 years; and that either green or cured it is one of the most nutritious forage plants known, makes reliable information upon its pro- duction and uses of unusual interest. Such information is given in this volume for every part of America, by the highest authority. Illustrated. 164 pages. 5x 7 inches. Cloth. $0.50 Ginseng, Its Cultivation, Harvesting, Marketing and Market Value By Maurice G, Kains, with a short account of its history and botany. It discusses in a practical way how to begin with either seeds or roots, soil, climate and location, preparation planting and maintenance of the beds, artificial propagation, manures, enemies, selection for market and for improvement, preparation for sale, and the profits that may be expected. This booklet is concisely written, well and profusely illus- trated, and should be in the hands of all who expect to grow this drug to supply the export trade, and to add a new and profitable industry to their farms and gardens, without inter- fering with the regular work. New edition. Revised and en- larged. Illustrated. 5 x 7 inches. Cloth, . . . . $0.50 Landscape Gardening By F. A. WaucH, professor of horticulture, university of Vermont. A treatise on the general principles governing outdoor art; with sundry suggestions for their application in the commoner problems of gardening. Every paragraph is short, terse and to the point, giving perfect clearness to the discussions at all points. In spite of the natural difficulty of presenting abstract principles the whole matter is made entirely plain even to the inexperienced reader. Illustrated. 152 pages. 5 x 7 inches. Cloth . . . . . . . $0.50 Hedges, Windbreaks, Shelters and Live Fences By E. P. Powriy. A treatise on the planting, growth and management of hedge plants for country and suburban homes. It gives accurate directions concerning hedges; how to plant and how to treat them; and especially concerning windbreaks and shelters. It includes the whole art of making a delightful home, giving directions for nooks and balconies, for bird culture and for human comfort. Illustrated. 140 pages. 5x 7inches, Cloth... , . , . « « « + $0.50 (8)