UNITED STATES SCHOOL GARDEN ARMY • DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR IU'SS'G~ BUREAU OF EDUCATION WASHINGTON HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN OF THE FIFTH. SIXTH. AND SEVENTH GRADES By ETHEL GOWANS SPECtALlST IN F1EJ..D DEMONSTRATIONS \ 'FOLLOW THE PIED PIPER Join the United States School Garden Army • - CONTENTS. Dr. Claxton'llletter to parents _.. _ ~_ _ _._ .. _. g Letter to euperlmeadenta, principals, and teachers .•.•.. ._ ..•.. _ . _ ...•. _ __...••••.....••.• _. _. _. 5 Letter tc gardeuera "'_.'_ _ . .••......... _••• ~ ...••.... _••.. _ 5 Projecte Ior thafinh grade _........ .._............................ 6 Projects for the sixth grade. _ _. __.......•• _ , •....... _........ . .. _..... 10 Projects for the seventh grade.. ......•... __.......• _•.• .....•••• _.. _... . ... _..••. _. 14 Preparationofthegardenforploonc.ng .............•.•................. _._ ....• ~_ ........•... Ii Organicrnatterlorthehomeguroen ...............•... _.. ..•••.. _.......... ..•. __ 19 Fall cleaning up of the garden. . . . . .. . . . . . . _ ' .. .. 20 Planting calendar ............................................................•. _ __.. __. 21 Planting chart. . . . •_ 22 Planting schedule................................ 23 Seeds for the garden _. .. ... ..•... . . . . •••... .....••...... . .. .•••... . .. •...•. 21) Thegaroenplan.t.................................................................. 2& Raisiog vegetable plants, .. . .. . . . ..•.•.... .. ....•... .. . 29 Late Iall end winter gardens _ _..•.........•..•....... _.. _". .. . . .. . . .. ...•.... 34 ThewinterCll.bbagecrop........................................................................ 35 Growing of bead lettuce ••.......•... "' .. "'" .......••..........•.•........ ' ••. ". .. ..•.••.... ... .. ... . 36 Planting lriah potatcee ' . . . . . . . • . . . . • . . . . . . . . . • . .. . . . . . • . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . .. . . . • • • . . . . 37 GrowingofWma.toee ......................•.........•.. _ _..................................... 38 Growing of beaua ..•...•..••...........•........••••••.........••... _ ._ ~ _... 40 Growing of eweet potaioes... .. .. . .. . . .. .....•.... .. . 40 CnreofgrowingvegetabICll _ _.~.. H Cultural methods of garden vegetables •................. _...• _. _.... •............••. ••............ 44 ID..I!CCt cbo.rt •.•...•...•............• _........... .•..•... •......•.............••........... •••...••... 40 Control of garden in&ect!l _.. __'. _.. _. . . . .. . . .. ......•.. . .•••.•... . . ...••... .. . .17 Protecting the I!ummer vegetables from early full troete "..... .••. . ..•... .......•......... 52 Stepsincanning _........ 53 Ma.rketing the surplu8.. •••••...... 55 Storing of vcgetablM. .••............. . .. . . . .•..... •.•..•. . . . .. . . ..•...... .•.. .•••.•. 56 Thestmwberrybed ........................................•.......... _.................................. 57 Growing of raepberriee, bleckberriee, and dewberries ..........•.........•......... __.•............• _.. . 58 Pruning of flowering ehru be, vines, lLod matluo vtnee •. _....•••.........••........•..•..•..•.•...•.•• _... . . 59 Raising lIWeet peas .. _ .•. _....•... _........•............. _••..........•............•... _.. .. ••••...... 61 Flower growing _. ...•.... _.....•..•..... __ _. _....................... •••....... 61 PJa.n.n1ng and pllWting front yarde , _ __ _ _ ............•••... __ _.. .. ••• .. .. .. 67 'I'he Iawn .• _..• _.•...•.••.....•..... _•.....•.•..........••. _.••..•.•. - •............•............•• _.... 68 Celeadae of c1lU!l!1'OOm work in gardening .• __.. _.. _. -.'" . - .• -" •. "." .••... _ ".",., _...•.. _... . .• 69 2 • LETTER OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION. To P~\RENTS: To nll parente who see this bulletin I wish to sny n word about the very great value of the school-directed home gardening which is ndvoea.ted by the Bureau of Education and to esslst in which these lessons and directions have been prepared. r know of nothing which cnn be made more valuable for children in cities, towns, and industrial villages than this form of gardening. It is valuable for physical development, for the formation of moral habits, for the development of the power of observation, of careful thinking, and of practical application. It also 1M considerable economic value. While children under 14 or 15 should not have hard or difficult tasks imposed upon them, requiring constant effort under adverse conditions, it is nevertheless true that for them to week outdoors/ 'with their feet in the soil, their heads in the sunshine, and their lungs filled with- good fresh uir is good for them, It is good for them to work until they nre so tired and hungry tbllt they will eat heartily and sleep soundly. It develops muscle, establishes the strength or vital organs, and contributes to length of life and to joyous living. 1UI children like to know, or at least to believe, that they are doing useful work and con- tributing toward their support. For them to d.o so helps to establish the fundamental mornl principle that every person should pay his own WilYby some form of useful work ruther than consenting to live at the e..-xpenseof others. .. City children do not ordinarily have so good oppor-tunity to gain first-hand knowledge of nature as country children do. This form of gardening brings them into close contact with tbe soil, makes them observe the changes of the weather, gives them a knowledge of growing plants; and teaches as nothing else can the relation of cause find effect. The fact that they must wait. through weeks and possibly months for the growth and mnturity of crops teaches a cer-tain kind: of patience which is very valuable and which can not be learned so well in flny other wily. This year the 21000,000 children in the United States School Garden Army IIIe produc- ing approximately 850,000/000 worth of vegetables and smell Iruite-c-food products to be con- sumed where produced, 'without loss in handling 01' cost of trensporteblon. Many children in North Oercliue and Virginia have produced more than $50 worth-c-eome have produced as much na $100 worth. In several cities the average, last year, was more than $50 for each child. It is to be hoped that vary soon this form of gardening will become established as en essential part of the public school work and of the education of all city children. May I ask your cooperation in bringing this about t Yours/ sincerely, P. P. CLAXTON, Oommissioner. JUX.li: 26, 1919. 3 • • • • HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN IN THE FIFTH, SIXTH. AND SEVENTH GRADES • • The writer wishes to make the following acknowledgments (or valuable help in the preparll.~ tion of these courses: Evelina O. Wiggins, teacher in high school, Lynchburg, Va.; Lucy Davis, supervisor of primary and grammar grades, Lynchburg, Va.; Jessie Peters, departmental gram- mar grade teacher, Lynchburg, Va.; Mary Morris, supervisor of gardening, Goldsboro, N. C.; Gertrude Wright, supervisor of gardening, Chattanooga, Tenn.: L. W. Purdum, truck grower, Danville, Va.; S. M. Kevan, manager of outside work in Erlanger Cotton Mill Village, Lex- ington, N. C.; T. O. Johnson, director of the truck experiment station, Norfolk, Vn.: Nettie Wynn, teacher in grammill' grades, Danville, Va.; L. B. Fitts, supervisor of gardening, School- field, Va.; Margaret McCreight, supervisor of gardening, Knoxville, TeM.; and the grnmmnr grade teachers in Lynchburg, Schoolfield, and Danville, Va., and in Greensboro, High Point, 'I'homnsville, Concord, Durham, Goldsboro, find Kinston, N. C. To SOPERIJ\'"TENDENTS, P.lUNCIPALS, AND TEACHEUS: The following courses are the outcome of three years' work in both the teaching or garden- ing in the classroom and the directing oC gardening in the homes. The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grade teachers and their supervisal's in Lynchburg, Danville, and Schoolfield; Va.; Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham, Raleigh, Goldsboro, High Point, Concord, and Asheville, N. C.; and Chattanooga and Morristown, 'I'cnn., have worked directly under the supervision of the United States Bureau or Education, nnd as a. result of their work these courses have been evolved. The purpose of these courses is to make tho 'children familiar with 1111 the garden • nctivities used in the planting of mi ordinary city borne lot. The classroom lessons are planned so that they will precede the bome-gnrden activities. An effort bus continually bean made to teach the children in the classroom the Jactcra that prevented successful gurdening in the homes. If this plan is continued, the courses will necessarily change from year to y(JIl,I'. Most of the projects outlined in these courses have boon successfully carried out by some child in one of the above-mentioned cities, and, in Ject, there are ohildrea who are now cnrrying out successfully ell of the projects outlined for their grade. Experience bne shown that children can be taught to become good gardeners. To accom- plish this, however, gardening shouJd become a regular part of the school work, with at least three lessons each week throughout the school yellr, end the home gardens should be directed by supervising teachers who visit the gardens regularly. Garden problems Me too large for children to solve without assistance. To TIn::: GAJWENEns: The success of tbo garden depends chiefly upon how conscientiously the gardener works. Gardening is a real industry, involving many forces, and demanding intelligent menegement and persistent labor. The old maxim, "Don't delny until to-mOfTO\Vwhat should be done to-day/, needs to be continually prllcticed. Forces that control the success of the garden are as follows: 1. Location.-The vegeto,ble garden should be located where the pln.nts will receive suffi- cient sunlight nnd air. 2. Soil.-The soil shOllld be deep, rjcb, mellow, and wcl.l dmined. , • 6 HOlltE GARDENING FOR CITY OHILDREN. 3. Seed -Only the best vegetable seed, purchased from reliable secdsmcn, should be plnuted. 4. Pla'll.ts.-All vegetable plants} such us cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, pepper, egg: plant, and celery, etc., should be grown, not purchased. 5. Fertilizer.-Make throe light applications of commercial fertilizer at intervals during • the growing season ruther thnu one heavy application of the entire amount. 6. Ou.ltivation.-The soil between the rows should be kept. well hoed. The garden should be free of weeds. 7. Insect enemies ancZlllant disws6S.-The garden plants should be protected from their insect enemies nnd plant diseases. 8. Intensive gardening.-Use every square foot of garden space. As soon t18 one crop is harvested, plant another. A well-managed garden is never "laid by." 9. Hal'vesting.-Allow no vegetable to go to waste. Oen, dry, 01' sell what can not be used fresh by tho family. 10. Seas0718.-Practice all-year-round gllI'denlng. 11. Records.-Accuro.te records of expenditures and receipts should be kept, as well as the dates of planting find of harvesting each crop. PROJ"ECTS FOR TUE FIFTU GRADE. In order to receive credit for the fifth-grade course in garden- ing, 10 projects must be completed to the satisfaction of both the garden teacher end the garden supervisor. Projects In, VII, x, XV, and XV! are required. The gardener may select any five of the remaining projects. Project I. Grow at least 20 keade oj winler ca,booge. (See The ! winter cabbage crop.) 1. What is the best variety of cabbage for the winter crop ~ The I"IlWng oJ vcgef.llblos teoohos the 2. How fire the plants grown ~ When should bhoy be ready chlJd haw tc ceotnbute to the 1nm1ly for transplanting into the gerden t support, alld /s e bea/Wel OOClUputloll. 3. How should the soil be prepared for these vegetables 1 4. How are they planted in the garden 1 5. What care do they need during the winter months 1 6. What care do they need during the spring months 1 (1) Domestic science, 20 per cent.-Food value, cooking, making eelads. (2) Gardening, 80 per cenl.-Growing the crop. Prr>ject 11. Prepare the soil for a winter garden at least 20 feet by 20 feet. (See Fall nnd winter gardena; Preparation of the gat-den for planting; Organic mutter for the home gnrdens.) 1. How is the soil made mellow nod deep 1 2. How is it made warm enough for the winter growing of vegeoebles 1 Manual !raining, 20 per cent.-Marking off the garden, marking off the drains, laying off the beds, laying off the rows. Gardening, 80 per ce71t.-Preparntion of tho soil Project Ill. Grow a winter garden at least 20 by 20feet ojalleast 3 vegeta.bles. (See Lata fall .and winter gardens; Planting cnlenclllr; Planting char!.; Schedule.) 1. What vegetables grow well during the winter months 1 2. How tue these vegetaL.1es planted ~ . 3. What care do they need during tho winter months 1 Sardming, 100 per cent.--Growing the crops. PROJECTS FOR THE FIFTH GRADE. 7 Projea IV. Make a compost hectp at le(1,st5 by 5 feet and 3 feet high. (See Organic matter Ior the home garden.) • 1. Of what is a compost heap mnde t 2. How is it constructed ~ 3. Where should it be erected 1 4. What care needs to be given it during the winter t 5. Why should every garden have a compost heap 1 6. TeU how it would be possible for cities to make compost heaps. What use could be made of the organic matted Gardening, 100 peT cem.-Making the compost heap. Project V. Make a hotbed/or spn'ng vegetable plants. (See Ruiaiug vegetable plants.) 1. Where should the hotbed be located 1 Why 1 2. How is a. hotbed made 1 3. When should the pit be filled 1 Why~ Manual training, 50 per ce-nt.-Mnking frame. Gardening, 50 per Mm.-Making and filling pit. Project 171. Plan and chart a home garden to include enough Irish potatoes, sna.p beams, bvuer be'ans, corn, tomatoes, beets, okra, salad,,fitild peas, pepper to supply yo'UrjamiZy. (See The garden plan; Seeds for the garden; Planting cnlendar; Planting chart; Planting echedule.) 1. How should the vegetables be grouped ~ 2. Estimate the quanuity of the vegetables needed to supply family. 3. Beuimate the total length of l'OWS necessary. 4. Estimate the quantity of each kind of seed required. 5. What are the beat varieties to purchaee t 6. What is the earliest date these vegetables can be planted ill the garden ~ • 7. How are these vegetables planted ~ Aritlnnetic, 75 per cent.-The mathematical part of project. Gardening, 251Je1' eent.-The gardening pnrt of the project. Project T1TJ.Raise at least 20 tomato plants that are at least 6 inehes tall, stocl1JI and iJarlc green. The pla'Tl.:l8 should be ready to put into the garden as soon as the soil is warm awl all danger of froet is ()ver. Th.e last transpla7l1ing ,It'ust bej1'Qln ind'ividuaZ pots. (See Raieiug or vegetable plente; Schedule.) 1. What varieties, if selected, would provide the Inrnilv with tomutoee from July to No- vember t 2. How are the plants grown i 3. Why should every gardener grow his OW11 pion te ~ Manual training, 30 per cent.-Making flats, hotbed, cold Frame, sonde protectors. Ga.rde'ni-ng,70 per eent.-Growing the plants. P1'oject 17111. Make a flower border at ll'.ast 16 fed long amd 4- feet wide, to contain (j,t least 5 diferent kinds of flowers. (See Flower growing.) 1. Where should the border be loc.ated 1 2. How should the soil he prepared 1 3. Whilt selection of flowers would furnish blooms all summer and fall? 4. How would you place the flowers in the border-s 5. How arc the plants grown 1 .Art, 50 per cent.-Grouping flowers artistically in border. Arranging flowers artistically in vases. Gardening, 50 per cent.-Making the flower border. • 8 HOME GARDENING :FOR CITY CHILDREN. Pro-ject IX. Prepare the soil for a garden at least 20 jed, by 20 feet. (See Preparation of the garden for planting; Organic matter for the home garden.) 1. Wbnt is It good garden soil 1 2. What Deeds to be done to change your garden soil into a good vegeteble producing Boil~ .Manual training, 1]0 per cent.-Lll.ying off the garden, drains, rows. Oardening, 80 per cent.-Preparation of the soil. Project X. GTow a spring garde'll,at least 20 by 20 feet qi at least 3 vegef.aUes, not including Irish pow,wes. (See Planting calendar; Planting chart; Schedule; Seeds for the garden; Care of growing vegetables; Insect chart; Insect control; Protecting the garden from the early fall Iroate.) 1. How are the crops planted ~ 2. Wbtl.t are the best varieties to eelect t 3. Where ccu these seeds be purchased ~ 4. What ClU'6 will the growing crop require i Manual tra,ining, 20 per cent.-Laying off the garden, drains, rows, making trellises, making frames to protect vegetables from late spring frosts. Gardening, 80 per cent.---Growing the crops. Proiea XI. Raise Irish potatoes from at least 10 seed 1/0/(£1068. (See Planting Irish pota- toee.) 1. What are the best varieties i 2. When should the potato crops be planted i 3. What potatoes should be selected for seed 1 4. Bow should they be cut ~ 5. How should the soil be prepared 1 6. What attention should be given to the growing crop 1 7. When should the crops be ready to harvest 1 8. How are potatoes stored 1 Domeetic science, 20 pf1l' cent.-Food value of potetoee, ways of cooking pocutoes, selade. Garileninfh 80 per cent.-Growing the crop. Project X ll. Keep a garden a.t least 20 by 20 feet free- from. weeds, wert hoed, (lmd j'ert'i1.i.z.ed frqm, ltfarch to Oatober. (See Oare of growing vegetablee.) 1. Why should It. garden be kept well hoed 1 Z. How often should a garden be hoed ~ 3. How deep should it he hoed 1 4. What are the most troublesome weeds in the garden ~ 5. How are they controlled ~ 6. How of teo should growing vegetables receive n light dressing of commercial ie.t·tilizcd 7. 'When is the best time to apply this fertilizer 1 8. How should it be applied ~ Gardening, 100 1}C1'cenl.-Keeping the gnrdea weeded uud hoed. P1'OjectX Ill. Gr()W tomawes :fhYm at least $]4 plants. The plant8 7itUSt be grown by the gardener. Each plant must 1J1'oiluce80 cents' worlh qf tomatoes. (See Growing of tomntoes.) L How deep should the plants be set1 Why ~ Z. Wlu\.t should be the distance apart of the rows ~ Of tbe plunte 1 3. How are they staked 1 When 1 4. How ere they pruned 1 WheD 1 5. What provision could be made for watering the plants 1 PROJt1CTS FOR THE FTFTff GRADE. 9 6. Would it be better to hoe or mulch the orop ! 7. What care should be given the growing crop? 8. How are tomatoes prepared for marketing ~ Marwualtraining, 10 pel' cent.-Making trellises. Domestic science, 10 per cent.~Food value of tomatoes. Cooking tomatoes, tomato salads. Ga,rde:ning, 80 per cent.-Gl'owing crop. Projea XIV. Protect the vegetables from their insect enermes. (See Insect chart; Insect control.) 1. In what ways do insecta injure vegetable 1)11l11l.:3~ 2. W1w.t ate the most troublesome insects in the garden l 3. How are they controlled 1 Gardening] 100 per cent.---Spraying the vegetables . • Both the ooucatlDn1l.IlUld eultuml Vllluosshould be bl1lUghtout In th~ tcoclrlng olgvtlcn1llg. Proiea XV. Grow a 8"ummer garden to contain tlwugh of at lea&t3 vegetables to suppl'y tM family. (See Preparation of the garden for planting: Planting calender: Planting chart; Schedule: Cure of growing crops; Insect chart; Insect control; Protecting tho summer garden from early fall frosts.) 1. What IMOOrs should be considered in selecting these vegetables 1 2. What are the best varieties to plant1 3. How are they planted 1 4. How should the soil be prepared 1 5. Whal; care will the growing crops require! 6. How can the late summer garden be protected from the early fall frosts' 'Manual training, 20 per unt.-Laying off the drains, rows, making frames to protect vegetables from enrly fall frosts. Ga7'iIening, 80 per ce1~t.---Growing tho crops. 12<\928°-19----2 • 10 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. Project XVI. Grow a fall garden at least 20 by 20 feet of at least 3 vegetables. (See Prepara- tion of the garden for planting; Planting calendar; Planting chart; Schedule; Organic matter for the home garden; Care of growing vegetables; Insect chart; Insect control. 1. What vegetables should be selected? 2. When should the vegetables be planted? 3. How are they planted? 4. How is the soil prepared ? 5. What care should be given the growing crops ? Manual training, 10 per cent.—Laying off the rows, drains. Gardening, 90 per cent.—Growing the crops. Project XVII. Can at least 12 quarts of tomatoes. (See Steps in canning.) 1. What causes canned tomatoes to spoil? 2. How can tomatoes be canned successfully? Domestic science, 100 per cent.—Canning tomatoes. PROJECTS FOR THE SIXTH GRADE. In order to receive credit for the sixth-grade course in gardening 10 projects must be completed to the satisfaction of both the garden teacher and the garden supervisor. Projects IV, VII, XII, XIV, and XV are required. The gardener may choose any 5 of the remaining projects. Project I. Raise at least 24 heads of lettuce or at least 12 heads of cabbage for the November market. (See Growing head lettuce; Planting calendar; Planting chart; Schedule; Raising vegetable plants; Care of growing vegetables; Insect chart; Insect control.) 1. What are the best varieties of lettuce to grow for the November market? Of cabbage? 2. When are the plants needed ? 3. How are they raised ? 4. How are the plants transplanted into the garden ? 5. What care should be given the growing crop ? Domestic science, 20 per cent.—Food value of lettuce and cabbage, cooking cabbage, salads of lettuce, salads of cabbage. Gardening, 80 per cent.—Growing the crops. Project II. Root 25 cuttings of roses. (See Flower growing.) 1. What wood is selected? 2. How is the cutting made? 3. How is it rooted? Manual training, 30 per cent.—Making the frame. Gardening, 70 per cent.—Making and rooting the cuttings. Project III. Clean up a section of the garden at least 25 by 25 feet. (See Fall cleaning up of the garden.) 1. What should be done with the rubbish? 2. Why should the garden be tidied up in the fall rather than wait until spring ? Manual training, 10 per cent.—Making frame to inclose compost heap. Gardening, 90 per cent.—Cleaning up of the garden. Project IV. Grow a winter garden at least 25 by 25feet of at least 4 vegetables. (See Late fall and winter gardens; Planting calendar; Planting chart; Schedule; The winter cabbage crop.) 1. What are the most profitable vegetables to select? 2. How should the soil be prepared ? 3. How are these vegetables planted? 4. What care should be given the growing crops ? Gardening, 100 per cent.—Growing the crops. PROJEOTS FOR THE SIXTH GRADI:. 11 Pmject Tl. Grow a green man'u7·ing crop in a section of the garden at least '26 by 25 feet, (See Organic matter for the home garden.) • L How should the soil be prepared i 2. What C1'Op could be grown ~ 3. How much seed would be needed 1 4. How is the selected crop planted 1 5. When should it be burned under? Whyi 6. How will a green manuring crop help the garden 1 Garr.lening, 100 per cent.-Growing the crop. Project VI. Plan and chart the home garden to include the first amZ second pZantin.qs. (See Tho garden plan; Seeds for the garden; Planting calendar; Planting churt ; Schadule.) 1. HoW' should the vegetables be grouped ~ 2. Estimate the quantity of vegetables needed to supply the family. 3. Estimate the tctcl lcagch of rows necessary. 4. Estimate the quantity of seed required. 5. What are the best varieties to purchase i 6. What is the eerlieet date these vegetables can. be plnnted in the gurdon i 7. How are these vegetables planted ~ 8. What should be the money return l Consult lest yenr'e market prices. A.'rith'ffl,t.tic,75 per cent.-The matbemntical part of project. "Gardening, 26 per cent.-The gardening part of project. Project Vll. Raise at least 50 toma.to planfJJ and 100 lettuce p'la.rns, also to pepper plants or 25 cucumber plants. (Se6 Raising of vegetable plunts.) 1. Why should gardeners grow their own vegoteblo plants ~ ,. 2. What is the best variety of each of these vogetables to be grown 1 3. When should the plants be ready to put into tho garden i 4. When, where, and how should the seed be sown 1 5. How arc tho plants grown 1 6. What is the market value of first-class tomato plants 1 ~Manual !ra.ining, SO per unt.-Making flats, hotbed, cold frnme, find shade protector. Gardening, 70 per cent.-Gl'Owing the plants. Project VIII. Make a flower border at lea~t 16 feet long and 4 feet wide to ClJntain ai. kJust 6 d"ijferent kinds of 'flouxre. Snap dragon a'llelld thinly in rows in garden September 1 to 15. FQ/"S8t,g.-SOW seed thickly in rows in garden in Murch-White Pou!'l, Prize Taker. PEP1'En. For the summe1' crop.--Sow eecd in hotbeds in February for plants to put into the gordon Ill> soon us danger of frost is over nod the soil is warm-Ruby King and Sweet Pepper Glory, for stufflug: Pimento, for canning; Chili, for hot peppers for pickles. l'ARSLI'lY. Forl/,ll year croP8.--S0W seed in garden from February to May and ugnin in Augusb-c-Mose Curled, Double Curled. PARSNIP. For the winter crop.--Sow seed in garden from March 1 to May l-llollow Crown. l't:"?1LPKIN . For the .fall crop.--So\V seed in garden from May 1 to June 10-Connecticut Pie, Potato. nAPE. For the 8p,-ing (;rop.--Sow seed in garden February 10 to Mnrch 15-Dwnrf Essex. For the.fall crop.--Sow seed in gurdon August 15 to October I-Dwarf Essex. SAJ..SIFY. For the winter crop.--sow seed ill garden Murch 1 to May I-Mammoth Sandwich Isl!Ul(l. SUELL l{EAl"$. For the. 7na,in lJ"rop.--sow seed in garden May 1 to July 15. Bush varioties-Red Kidnoy Midligno, Navy. Pole vurlctioo, Cr(.'SsBuck. 26 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. SNAP BEANS. For the summer crop.—Sow seed in garden May 1 to July 15. Bush varieties—Red Valen- tine, Burpee's Green Podded Stringless, Henderson's Bountiful. Pole varieties—Kentucky Wonder. SPINACH. For the spring crop.—Sow seed in garden February 15 to March 15—Savoy. For the summer crop.—Sow seed in garden April 1 to May 15—New Zealand. For the fall crop.—Sow seed in garden August 15 to September 15—Savoy. SQUASH. For the earliest crop.—Sow seed in garden March 15 to April 15—Cymblmg and Crook Neck. These may need to be protected from cold. For the fall crop.—Sow seed in garden in July—Hubbard. SWISS CHARD. For the summer crop.—Sow seed in garden in April—Lucullus. TOMATO. For the earliest crop.—Sow seed in hotbeds in February for plants to put into garden April 1 to May 7—Earlianna, June Pink, Chalk's Jewel. They may need to be protected from cold. For the main crop.—Sow seed in hotbeds in February for plants to put into garden May 1 to 15—Ponderosa, Brimmer. For canning purposes.—Sow seed in seed beds in April for plants to put into garden in June— Stone. TURNIP. For the fall crop.—Sow seed in garden July 15 to August 15—Purple Top. For the winter crop.—Sow seed in garden August 15 to October 15—Seven Top. NOTE.—These planting dates for the vegetables mentioned are for the Piedmont region of the southern section of Virginia and the northern section of North Carolina. For other varieties, consult "seed catalogues." For how to plant these vegetables see "Planting chart." SEEDS FOR THE GARDEN. Fifth grade, Project VI. Sixth grade, Project VI. Seventh grade, Project XI. What does a seed contain f—A seed contains an embryo plant and sufficient food to nourish the plant until it has grown enough roots and leaves to nourish itself. The kind of plant the seed will grow into depends upon its parentage. Beet seeds look alike, yet one kind will grow into beets that are ready to harvest in 90 days, and the other kind will not be ready to harvest for 120 days. This difference is due to the selection of the seed plants. Factors to consider in purchasing seed.—-(1) Freshness; seeds purchased in bulk are always more likely to be fresh than those in small packages. (2) Variety; the most desirable varieties of seed are purchased from reliable seed farms. Too much emphasis can not be placed upon the importance of purchasing seeds from reliable seed farms that make a specialty of selecting SEEDS FOR THE OMmEN. 27 seed plants acd fumiahing seeds of high quality. Consult "Schedule" for good varieties to plant for the different seasons. Also consult" seed catalogues" for good varieties. Seed 9'fowing.---Secd growing has developed into a. special class of farming. Seed ffmIls are located where the soil and climate arc especially favorable for the best development of the particular vegetable to be grown. For instance, cabbage thrives well in a cool climate, and thereforethese seed Me best grown in the North. Many cabbage seed farms are located in Connecticut aud Long Island. Watermelons, on the other hand, are a warm weather crop, so these seed farms arc located in Georgia. Lima bean and field pca seed farms are located in California, where the soil and climate are especially favorable for growing these crops. The seeds are produced from carefully selected seed plants. A stunted pleat is likely to produce poor seeds, and so these plants are given special attention throughout the growing SA1180n and provided with all conditions favorable for a continuous healthy growth. Any undesirable plant is pulled up before it blossoms, and only perfect plants are allowed to blossom end produce seed. All this requires much individual attention from experienced persons. This is the reason selected seed are more expensive than other seed. The quality of the crop raised from such seed, however, more than pays for the additional expense. Since seed growing is a specialized bueinesa, requiring much skill and experience, it would be far better Ior the average borne gardener to purchase his seed from reliable seed farms than to try to raise them himself. Reasons for poor seeds.-Seods may be too old to germinate. Lettuce seed CRn be kept for four years and still germinn.te, while onion seed cun not be kept more than one year. The seed crop may have been grown WIder unfavorable conditions. The seed may not have been ripe when they were gathered. They may not have been properly cured or stored. Infected seed should not be planted; for example, pen seed containing weevils or bean seed with anthracnose. Why do good seeds somel:i/mesfail to come. Ul)1-They may not have been planted at the proper depth, which depends upon the kind of seed. Small seed like lettuce should not be planted over one-fourth. of an inch deep. Large seeds fire planted at varying depths, depending on whether the food is stored, on the endosperm or on the seed loaves, and also on whether the seed leuvsa are lifted ubove the surface or left in the soil, Corn in which the food :iJ:J stored in the endosperm may be planted 4 inches deep. PeRS in which the food is stored in the seed leaves that are left in the soil may be planted 2 inches deep. Beans in which the food is stored in the seed leaves that are Hfted above the surface should be planted only 1 inch deep. Other- wise the seed leaves will he torn off in trying to force their way through the soil and tho plant will be stunted. Tho depth to planb seed also depends upon the condition of the Boil, the fineness of the soil particles, tho amount or soil moisture, and the temperatura of the soil. Tho soil in the seed bed should always be made fine and mellow and all tho lumps crushed, for seed do not need to be planted so deeply in such a soil as in a lumpy Boil. The seeds also germinate more quickly in a fine, mellow soil. If the soil is moist and cold, the seeds should be planted shallower than if it is dry and warm. Seed vary in the soil temperature requirements for germination, and no time is gained in tho spring by planting summer vegetable seed before the soil is warm enough to cause them to sprout. For instance, garden peas, which are distinctly a spring vegetable, ruey be })hillted much earlier than beans, which are a summer crop. It is also true that the seeds or cool weather vegetables will not germinate in 8. soil tba.t is too Wtl"!'ID, and this is why tbe seed beds [or raising August collard, cabbage, lettuce, and onion plants should be located in the coolest seotion of the garden, and es fal' es possible in a section where it will be convenient to wa.ter theru occasionally. Ordinarily soil that has been freshly worked will contain enough moisture to soak the seed thoroughly and cause it to germinate without extra 28 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. help. If, however, the soil is dry when seeds are planted in late July and August, first thoroughly water the soil in the row, then plant the seeds and cover them with soil. Large seeds with hard seed coats should be soaked in water for 24 hours before they are planted. Quite frequently seeds fail to come up because commercial fertilizer was put in the rows when the seeds were planted. Commercial fertilizer should be spread evenly all over the soil when the garden is being prepared for planting, or it should be spread and worked in between the rows of the growing crop. But it should never be put in the rows when the seeds are planted. For depth to plant the different garden seeds, consult "Planting chart"; for time to plant the seeds consult "Schedule." THE GARDEN PLAN. Fifth grade, Project VI. Sixth grade, Project VI. Seventh grade, Project XIII. Purpose.—In a carefully worked out plan every square foot of garden space should be utilized. Provision may be made to furnish the family with a continuous supply of fresh vege- tables throughout the gardening season. The surplus space may be used for vegetables to be canned, stored, or marketed. The vegetable families should be rotated in order that the mem- bers of the same family will not occupy the same section of the garden for two successive years. The entire supply of seeds should be ordered early, so that there need be no delay when the planting season arrives. The materials used for spraying purposes should also be purchased in advance. Factors to consider in 'planning a garden.—First, the tall growing vegetables, such as pole beans, corn, tomatoes, and okra ought.to be placed where they will not shade the low-growing vegetables. Next, the low-growing vegetables should be grouped according to the time they need to mature. Those that mature in 50 to 70 days should be planted together in one section, those that mature in 70 to 100 days in another, and those from 100 to 150 days in still another section. This makes it possible to respade any section before the next crops are planted. To get the best results the soil should be respaded before each planting. The "Planting chart" will tell the time needed for the different vegetable crops to mature. Making the garden plan.—First make a chart of the vegetables to be planted in the garden. The chart should consist of the following headings: Vegetables desired. Yield required. Total length of Quantity of and rows needed. necessary. Variety. • Under the first heading group the list of vegetables to be planted as follows: Place the tall vegetables together, and the low-growing vegetables together, according to the time needed to mature. Under the second heading estimate the yield required for each vegetable. Having this data, the total length of the rows needed, and the quantity of seed necessary, can be easily obtained by consulting the "Planting chart." 29 After this chart of the garden crops has been made, draw fI. plan showing the number of rows necessary for each vegetable named in the chert, Indicate the distunce ItpUl't of tho rows, and the distance be'tweell the plants in the l'OW8. The "Planting chart" will give the iufcrmn- tion necessary for this. 1'11e"Scbcdulo" will tell which varieties to plant in the different seusona. VegetableJamiz.ies.-Mustard fnmily: Mustard, kale, rape, turnip, radish, cabbage, collard, cauliflower, Brussol sprout. Goosefoot family: Beets, spinach, Swiss chard. Nightsbnde family: Potatoes, tomatoes, pepper, egg plant. Thistle family: Lettuce, endive, salsify. Cl1rrot family: Carrot, parsnip, celery, parsley. Gourd family: Ououmbera, squash, pumpkin, muskmelon, cymbling, onntaloupe, watermelon. Beall family: Garden peas, field pees, SDflP beans, butter beans. RAISING VEGETABLE PLANTS. Fifth grade, Project vrt. Si'\lh grade, Project VTT. Seventh grade, Project A'lV . .I1d'oon,tages.-Thcro nrc several ndvnntegee in raieing from seeds such plants M lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, find eggplnnts. In the first place, it is muoh cheaper to miso th0 plants than it is to pnrolmae them. One ounce of Il.ny of tho seeds menticmed will usually produce enough plants for the home gardens in nu entire $ch091 district. AgtUn, in purcbneing pluuts there is danger of intro- ducing into the garden soil oertcin . diseases, , -. such asclub roctof oabbnge orwiltcf tomatoes, Both of theee diseaees uce widespread} and care needs to be taken not to inoculate the garden soil wi th them, Once these diseeeea become established, a. long time is needed before the soil cun produce a successful crop of the same vegetable. Infected plants may also intro- duce nematode worms into virgin soil, These Ptn.ntlnga !lnt. worms live in tho roots of lettuce, tomatoes, end cucumbers; they CI111Se swellings that interfere with the passage of water and stunt the growth of the Cl'O p. Another reason fer raising plants from seeds is that scleot vnriouoe call be seem'cd ill this wILy. There is /lIsa the ndv!1.ntage of ]UWillg the planl.s on lllWd w.hen the g:1rdan soil is warm CLIOugh to receive them and tlle weatbor conditions are favorablo. Further, the gnrdener has the pJe~1Bureof watchillg tho growing of the c.rop from tho t,ima of pln.ntillg the seod to tho t,imo of harvesting Lhe products. This is 11factor not to be minimized, for tho 8ucees.'3.fulgludmler enjoys wntching the growing pItUIta and studying Lhcir c\ilturl11 C1-\vironments iU.l(llH1l'vesting possibilities. When and whC1'eseeds ",'e pZa,1J.tM.-CabPttge, lettuce, aad l)ccts in hotbeds in Jll.UUlU'Y; let- tuce in flats, in hou!;e, in Februt~ry; tomntoes and peppors, eithor inhot.bcds in Fobn1lL.l'Yor in flats in tho house in Fobruary; cuoumbers find melons in strnwbcrry boxes, in hotbeds in February; sweet potlttocs ill hotbeds in March; celery, conard, lUld late tomatoes in seed bods in A])J'il; collards in seed bedS in May; fall cabbage in seed be~ in Jl,loe; ooions nod lettuco in seed bods August 1 to ]5; endive iu seed beds August 15 to 30; winter cabbage in seed beds September]5 to 30. For varieties Lo plant, scc "ScLodule." 30 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. FLATS. Preparation of fiats.—A flat is a box 3 to 4 inches deep by 12 inches wide and 16 inches long. It is filled with a layer 1 inch deep of leaf mold, topped with 2 to 3 inches of sifted wood soil. If wood soil can not be secured, a good soil can be made of one-third mellow soil, in which no vegetables have been raised, one-third medium sand, and one-third leaf mold. These ingre- dients should be thoroughly mixed, then sifted to remove any stones. A soil sieve can be made by securing any strong wooden box whose sides are 8 by 10 and depth 4 by 6 inches and Tomato plants raised in a classroom window. replacing its bottom with wire mosquito netting, or one-fourth-inch galvanized-iron mesh. To prevent drying out the sifted soil should be pressed down to within 1 inch of the top of the flat. A board 4 by 6 inches can be used for the purpose. Planting and care of fiat.—As soon as the flat is prepared the seed should be sown thinly, not over 24 to the foot, in rows one-fourth of 1 inch deep and 2\ inches apart. The soil should then be leveled, a sheet of newspaper placed on the surface, and lukewarm water poured on it. The paper holds the soil in place and allows the water to pass through gradually. The paper should be left on the soil until the seeds have germinated, for it serves to check surface evaporation and makes watering easier. During this time the flats can be kept in any warm RATSThTG VEGETABLE PLANTS. 31 room at home or school. When the seeds have germinated they should be placed near 11 warm; sunny window and turned each day to prevent the plants being drawn toward the sunlight. Water.ing should be done with a brush broom or a fine spray, so us not to break or bend the tender plants. When the plants are 4 inches high and begin to crowd each other they should be transplanted into other flats or into pots. nO'IBEDS. Loea.tion.-Hotheds should be located where they will not interfere with the regular garden operations, uud care lUU8tbe taken that they receive the maximum amount of sunlight and have sufficient drainage. They should be protected from the cold north wind by a hedge or building, but they should never be located so close to a building that snow falling from the roof can break the glass. CQ7UJtroction.-lli the ground is too wet in the early spring, when it is time to plant the hotbed, the frames should be made, the pit dug, and the top soil provided in the fall. The size of a frame will depend upon the number of plants needed for- the garden and the kind of sash used, whether a window sash or -• -r-r- 1 .j f a regular hotbed sash, 3 by 6 feet. The frame is f ' ,iI I I. made 01 2-inch hoards, ! 1'1 ' well seasoned. It is 12 to l-I ~. 15 inches high on the north , , \.1 side end 8 to 10 inches high all the south side. " The slope insures removal of rain water and allows sunlight to reach more parts of the frame. The length end width of the frame depend upon the size of the sush seemed for covering. 'I'heexoavation Frome /nr rolSlng IJI~nt.li. is 18 inches deep, with 0. length and width corresponding to the inside measurements of the frame. The frame should be placed on top of the pit and the outer sides banked with soil. The pit should then be filled with leevee and the frame covered. At tho aame time pile near the pit enough rich mellow soil, in which no vegetables have been grovm, to make n leyer 6 inches deep in the hotbed. This will be the top soil lor the hotbed in the spring. If mellow garden soil can not be procured a good top soil may be made its follows: One-third soil in which no vegetables have been grown, one-third well-rotted manure, aud one- third coarse sand. In January, about foul' days before the hotbed is to be used, the leaves should be removed and the pit should be filled us follows: Three inches of coal cinders, 2 incbee of leaves, 8 inches of freeh horse manure thoroughly packed and well watered, 6 inches or rich top soil, well packed and watered. The COllIcinders and first layer of leaves provide drainage uud prevent the filling resting on the cold subsoil. 'I'he decaying manure will Iuruish the bottom heat needed to make the plants grow. Alter the pit is filled the sash should be placed on the frame and allowed to remain three or four days or until the temperature has dropped to between 75 and 80 degrees. If the bulb or a thermometer is buried in the soil the temperature can be 32 HQl\lE GAl1D.ENINC"FOR OITY CHn~nRF.N. watched. To develop stocky plants the space between the gloss end the surface of the hotbed shoulcl be within 15 inches. Planting.-The planting will vary with the crop. Seed should be sown thinly, not OVGJ' 24 to the foot, in rows one-fourth of linch deep and 2~ inches apart. Plants, like tomatoes, if transplanted directly into the hotbed soil should be put in rows 4 inches apart find should be placed 4 inches ape . l't in the row. while plants like peppers need be planted only 3 inches apart in each direction. Pots, 01' berry boxes, to be used for transplanting tomatoes or peppers, or for planting cucumbers or melons.should be filled with top soil, then placed closely together and completely buried in the top soil or tbe hotbed, find cure should be taken to pack tbe soil well between the pots nod to form the soil well in them. Oare qj' the 7wtbed.~A piece of shingle 1~ inches wide is a good tool to make a soil mulch. An occasional thorough waterlog is fal' better than e sprinkling each day. Vcutila- tion .ia the big problem. A beginner is likely to keep the frame covered too much. .At first tbe upper end of the sash should be propped up during the sunny POIt of the day. The llCight of the propping stick should be gredunlly incronsod until flnnlly the plenta nrc covered only on cold nights nnd mornings or during e, drenching r-ain. Hardy 'plants stend trans- planting better. On cold nights it ml1y be necessary to cover the sash with leaves and burle.p. '1'0 protect the plants from English sparrows the hotbed should be covered wiLh e. screen when the sash is removed. OOLD FRAl\fES. Loco,tion.-Snme as hotbeds. Consll'lwtiQn.--8amo us hotbeds except that fresh manure is not used. The spuce be- tween the glass and tho surface of the cold A slIlllJlhotbedrunlklhy It.llnga wlndow,sagh!orn OOYI!l'. fl'f1.1UO soil should not be over 12 inchee. Pkz.ntin!7.~The distance between the rows will vary with the crop to be planted. Ca1'e.-8n.:m6 as hotbeds. SEED BEDS. Locatw1li.-The seed bed may be simply a section of a l'OW or it may be a 1)10(.3 by 6 feet inclosed in n frame 4 inches high and covered with a wire screen La keep out enemies. For Apl'il,May, nnd Jllne, and September plnnting o.sunny section of the garden should be selacwd for the seed bed, For August planting l1 seed bed made between rows of taU vegetables such /1.S tomatoes and pole beans gives the best satisfactiou. The soil he.re is cooler owl t40 scedsgct'nU- nate morc rendily. Theshlldc of the tilll vegetables protec.ts tho young plant.s from the hotsun. Preparlllion of the 80il.-The soil should always be rospacled and whenever possiblQ mi..-..;:cd with sufficient saud to produce a sandy Imun. To germinate well seeds need enough moist.ure to beeomc thorollghly soaked, They ulso neod aiJ' and a certain nmouut of hent. Such COll- ditions Cilll be pl'oduccd in n sondy louro. Secd~bcd soil used for rnising cabbage plants should be frce of manure. Plantillg the seed8.~'l'Jle secds s,bould be planted thinly, not over 2·:1to the foot, in rowa one- fow·th of 1 inch deep (md 3~ inches apart. The aced and the ent.ire surface of the seed bed should be covered with It layer of sand or wood soil one-hnlf of an inch deep. RAISING VEGETABLE PLANTS. 33 Oare of growing plants.-When the plants 111'6 2 inches high [L complete ferbilizor should be spread over the soil just thick enough to be seen, end then raked in. Care should be taken not to get any on the plants. The fertilizer used for young tobacco plunta is good. .During droughts the hod should be thoroughly watered. 'Jlransplanting of plants.-The fundamental principles of transplanting are: (1) Tho plants should be lifted with as much soil as possible, so tho.t the roots will become quickly established in the new soil. Watering the plants two hours before transplanting will insure sufficient soil ChtIdl'llll who EU'O eaughthow to makoau,d II\3lliI.llc ho~bol19lU1.dooldtnr.ll1IllIl>t the school wru ulsoltlIl.ke and usc thom ct their homes. adhering to the roots. (2) The bole must be deep enough to place tbe plant at the same depth it was before and largo enough to spread the roots out well. (3) When the garden soil is too dry for successful transplanting, put Bornewater in the hole and then put in the plant. This is better than pour.ing the water in after the plent has been transplanted. (4) The soil should be placed a little at 0. time around the roots, cure being taken not to get £my in the crown; it should be lHGSSed down evenly, not squeezed against the stem of the plant. (5) The trans- planted plants should he shaded in such 0. WB.y as to exclude the sun and n.t the same time provide for vcutilnticn. 124928°--19----5 34 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. Potting of vegetable plants.—To insure continuous growth when the plants are placed in the garden, the last transplanting should be from individual pots. While this applies especially to tomato plants, it is equally desirable for others. When tomato plants are 4 inches high they are ready to transplant into pots. Five-inch flower pots, berry boxes, tomato cans, or paper pots can be used for the purpose. If paper pots or tomato cans are used, provision should be made for drainage. A good potting soil is made of one-third well-rotted manure, or wood soil, one-third sand, and one-third good mellow soil that has never produced vegetables. The soil should be pressed firmly into the pot and should come within 1 inch of the top. If only a few plants are needed, they may be placed in pots in a sunny window and given the same attention as potted flowers. If more plants are needed, they should be grown in pots in a hotbed. LATE FALL AND WINTER GARDENS. Fifth grade, Projects I, II, III. Sixth grade, Projects I, IV. Seventh grade, Project I. Soil requirements.—A mellow, warm, well drained soil is essential for winter gardening. A clay soil is made mellow (1) by deep, thorough tillage; (2) by a liberal dressing of well- rotted manure; and (3) by adding sand or fine coal cinders as well as wood ashes and bone meal. A soil is made warm not only by the sun's rays, but also by the decay of organic matter and by drainage, which removes the surplus water and checks the loss of heat used in evapo- ration. To insure drainage for a winter garden it is frequently necessary to prepare beds 8 feet wide, 3 inches high, extending the length of the garden. These beds are made by placing ditches every 8 feet and throwing the soil with the beds on each side. The top of the bed can be leveled with the back of the rake. Schedule of planting.—The planting of the winter garden commences in April, when salsify, parsley, and parsnips are sown. The first of June collards and fall cabbage are sown in seed beds to be transplanted into rows in the garden the first of August. In July carrots, turnips, and beets are sown. From August 1 to 15 endive, rape, kale, spinach, and mustard are planted in the garden, and lettuce and onions are sown in seed beds to be transplanted into the garden in September. From September 15 to 30 winter cabbage is sown in seed beds to be trans- planted into rows in the garden in October. The October onion plants and sets may be planted in the garden. For a wider range of planting dates consult "Schedule." Varieties.—The success of the winter garden depends upon good seed quite as much as upon mellow soil. For this reason it is recommended that seeds bo purchased from reliable seed firms that make a specialty of selecting the seed plants. Salsify—Mammoth, Sandwich Islands. Lettuce—Simon's Cabbage Head. Parsnips—Hollow Crown. Endive—White Curled. Parsley—Moss Curled. Rape—Dwarf Essex. Carrots—Chantenay. Kale—Siberian. Cabbage—For fall crop, Henderson's Succession; for winter Spinach—Savoy. crop, Charleston Wakefield. Mustard—Giant Southern Curled. Collard—Southern Short Stem. Onion seeds—White Pearl. Turnips—Purple Top, Seven Top. Onion sets—White Pearl, Richmond Hill. For a wider range of varieties see "Schedule." Time of harvesting.—The time of harvesting of the fall and winter vegetables depends upon the richness of the soil and weather conditions. Under the most favorable conditions TB"B WL."";'TER CABBA.GE OROP. 35 the dates are us follows: Parsnips, ealsily, carrots may remain in the ground during winter and be dug na needed. Parsley will stay green all winter. Turnips and beets should be covered with soil or etored in pits in November and December . • Cabbage and collards sown in June and traneplnnted with garden in August will mature in November. Cabbage sown in September and taausplanted in garden in October will mature in the spring. Lettuce sown in August is harvested in November. Lettuce sown in September should be transplanted into cold Iremes in October and harvested in December. Endive will stand more cold tban lettuce find can be burvested throughout tho win tor. Mustard SOWll in August can be hart'este.d in November. Rape, kale, spinach, and Seven Top turnip sown in August ere harvested during the winter and early spring. Onion plants and sets planted in September nud October will mature in the spring. How are Ow crops plank..df (See Planting chart.) Oare of tlw crop d'/,/'ring the 1vinter.~The stems of the oubbege plants should be completely covered in soil. This is true also of the collard plants. Some gardeners pile leaves and strl1w around the stems of the collard plauta, while others bend the plants over and cover the stems with soil.. Beets and turnips should he covered with soil or stored. in pits lIS soons es cold weather comes. Tho tops of parsnips and carrots will be killed) but new leaves will grow when tbo warm spring days como. For protection of endive and lettuce see "Lettuce growing" or "Storage of vcgetll.bles." THE WINTER CABBAGE CROP. l'i1tlt grode, 'Projects T, III. Sbah grade, Pmject IV. Seventh grade, Project I. Varieties.~The truck grower'S consider Charleston W/l.kefield t.he best. vurieby for the winter crop. It tekee 0. few days longer to mature than the New Jersey Wakefield, but on the other hand it develops a much larger head. How to raise ale p7,a.nts.-The spores of some of tbe worst diseases of cebbngc arc distributed on the cabbage seed. For this reason 1\11cabbage seed should be disinfected before they 8J'e planted. Dissolve 1 tablet of corrosive sublimate in 1 pint of water. Use either a glees or earthenware dish Ior the purpose. Leave the seeds in the solution 10 minutes und thon put. tbe seeds ill pure wetec to wash o:fi the poison. When taken from tho water the seed should be spread out to dry. Oorroeise gubli'm,ale is cz, deaiIlll poiSOfl> amd 8n.cJ'llldbe handled 1vith VC/'Y great care and only by grO'W1/. people. For plants to t1"£LllSplfLllt.into the garden in November tbo seed should he sown, not over 24 to the root, in II. /'ow in the gardon 01' in rOws in the seed. hed, in Lhemidclle of September. If the plants are set ou.t too curly in. tho fall, they will:run to seellstalks inst.ead of fonning solid heads. Tho soil in the seed hod should he froe of any cabha.ge diseaso. It should also be freo of mn.nuro. This is to protect the plo..I1tsfrom maggots, which are always morc nhundant. in yctJ" rich soil. The soil in the seod hed cnu be made mellow by spadin.g in su.nd. Pllllit food cnn he supplied by commercial fertilizer. For the pl!lJltiug of the seeds consult. "Pla.nting chart." For tbe location of the seed bed and care of t.he growing plfl,uts consult "Raising of vegetable plant," "Insect cbart/' flJld "Insect control." Preparation of the 80'il.-To protect the plantsfl'oDl diseuse, a section of the garden should be chosen that hftS not previously grown c!~hbo.ge. Cabbago needs a deep, rich, mellow well- 36 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. drained soil. Well-rotted manure should be thoroughly mixed through the soil by deep plowing and harrowing and by spading. In addition, tobacco stems at the rate of 3 tons per acre should be mixed through the upper soil by harrowing or raking. Tobacco stems are especially helpful to the cabbage crop, not only as a source of potash and nitrogen plant food, but also because of their insecticide value. For further preparation of the soil consult " Winter gardens" and "Preparation of the garden soil." Transplanting into the garden.—For the distance apart of the rows and of the plants in the row see "Planting chart." For the directions for transplanting see "Raising vegetable plants." Winter protection.—In transplanting the cabbage plant into the garden, care must be taken to cover the entire stem with soil and at the same time not to get any soil into the head. Experi- ence has shown that it is the stem of the cabbage plant that freezes during the winter. Some gardeners place the cabbage plants in a trench that has been hoed out 3 inches deep. The sides of the trench protect the plants from the winter winds. Care of the crop in the spring.—For fertilizing and hoeing consult "Care of growing vege- tables." For spraying consult " Insect chart" and " Insect control." The first insects to appear are the cabbage aphis, then the imported cabbage worm will come, and possibly the harlequin bug. The first two insects can be controlled completely and easily by the right kind of spray mixture applied as soon as the insect appears. The harlequin bug should be picked off and destroyed. Harvesting.—The crop should be ready to harvest in June. Why is the winter crop the most profitable to grow?—In the first place, cabbage is a cool weather crop and grows best in the cool spring months. It is difficult to get a good late fall crop because the seed is too warm in June, when the seed need to be planted to raise vigorous plants to trans- plant into the garden in August for seeds in November. For the same reason it is difficult to get a good summer crop. But in addition to the soil being too warm for the plants to grow well during the summer months the cabbage has during this period six different insect enemies, any one of which if not controlled could completely destroy the crop. GROWING OF HEAD LETTUCE. Fifth grade, Project X. Sixth grade, Projects I, XI. Seventh grade, Project III. Varieties of head lettuce.—For the spring crop use Tait's Giant Forcing. These seeds can be secured from George Tait & Son, Norfolk, Va. For the fall crop use Simon's Cabbage Head. For the hotbed crop use Simon's Cabbage Head. These seeds can be secured from I. N. Simon & Son, 438 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. For the growing of crops throughout the season see "Schedule." Growing the plants.—For the spring crop the seeds should be planted in February either in flats in the house or in hotbeds. When the plants are 2 inches high, they should be trans- planted with individual pots. These pots should be 3 inches in diameter and can be made of paper. Holes should be made in the bottom of the pot to insure drainage. For the fall crop the seeds should be sown in seed beds from August 1 to 15. For the hotbed crop seeds should be sown in seed beds in September. The seed beds should be located the same as for June planting. "Raising vegetable plants" will tell how to make and care for flats and hotbeds and how to pot the plants and care for the potted plants. It will also tell where to locate the seed PL ....NTrNG mISE POTATOES, 37 bed, how to prepare the soil, and how to care for the plants, "Planting chart" will tell how thinly to sow the seeds. Transplanting leuuce pla,1!i.sinto the ganle-n.-"Raising vegetable plants" will tell bow to transplant tho plants. "Planting chart" will tell the distance apart of the rows nnd of the plants in the rows. Lettuce transplanted into cold frames should be placed 1 foot apart in both directions. Oare of the growinfJ crop.-"Care of growing vegetables" will tell how to apply commercial fertilizer and how to hoe the crop. During freezing weather in November and December the lettuce that is headed will need to 'be covered with It layer of straw 6 inches deep. The straw should be removed as soon as the weather becomes warmer. Experience is necessary to grow lettuce under gIllS!.'>.A beginner should continually watch the methods used by a person who is growing lettuce successfully under glass, 'The following suggestions may be helpful: The space between the glass and the surface of the cold frame soil should not be over 12 inches. If this space is too lnrge, tbe lettuce plants will. grow toward tho light und not form into compact heads. A piece of shingle 172 inches wide is a good tool to use to stir the soil about the plente. An occasionally thorough watering is fHr better then a sprinkling each day. The plants should always be covered in cold nights and mornings or during a drenching rain. They should also be covered during freezing weather. Occnsionally during extremely cold weather they will need an additional covering of leaves and burlap spread over the sash. 'Wben lettuce is headed it freezes very easily. At all other times leave the frame uncovered. "Raising vegetable plants" will tell how to make the cold frames. PLANTING IRISH POTATOES. ]"iftb grade, ProjClcl.!!X, XI, XV. Sixth grade, Project XI I. Seventh grade, Project )..""V. Varieties.-Plnnt Irish Cobbler for the first crop and (Ireen Mcuutnin for the second crop. For bouli plantings use lust year's potatoes. Time to l)lant.-Irish Cobbler, March to April 20; Green Mcuntulu, Jill), 1 to 15. Potatoes to select for planting.-(]) Plant potatoes free from disease. Diseased potatoes are chnreoterized as follows: The skins contain scabs or sunken, discolored nreee: the stem end of the fleshy pnrf contain black specks, rings, or discolored nrena. Potato diseases are widespread, and when the soil. becomes infected it is rendered unsuitable for potato production for a number of years. (2) Use, for planting purposes, potatoes that have been taken from high yielding hills, Through careful selection of high yielding hills the yield of potatoes has been increased from 50 bushels fill acre to 700 bushels per acre in four years. This result WItS secured without much increase of labor/ seed, fertilizer, or spraying. Oerefully selected potatoes cun be pur- chased from reliable seed firms. (3) The eyes should be shallow and few in number. (4) The potatoes should be medium in size and true to type. (5) They should be mealy and of good color and £!.aVOI' when cooked. Treatment of seed l)otatOe8.-Purchase from the drug store 1 ounce of formuliue nnd put this with 2 gallons of water. Soak uncut potatoes in this solution for two hours; remove and sprout! Ollt to dry immediately. Formalinc is irritating to the eyes and to cuts, but not poisonous. Cutting t.o plant.-In cutL.ing the potatoes reject u11 those thnt are discflscd. Gardeners diller in the method of cutting potatoes. A good way is to cut {,he potatoes so that each piece 38 ROME GARD£:l\'TNG FOR crcv OmLDREN:. will weigh about 3 ounces and will have 3 eyes. 1'1c pieces should contain enough of the fleshy plU:t to furnish starch and other plant food to nourish the sprout through unfnvcruble weather conditions and until the roots become estebllshed and the leaves m-e well grown. 'Whenever possible cut Rod plant the potatoes the same day. The tendency of planting small potatoes ie to be condemned. The tendency of such a method is La gradually eliminate the high yicld.ing hills. Soil requirem-ents.-The potato crop responds quickly to good preperntion of soil. If the soil is deep, mellow, and rich, make trenches 6 inches deep and 3 feet epnrt. This should be done on the.day of planting. Bprcacl commercialfertilizer thinly 8ml evenly in the trench e.t the rate of 8 pounds for every 100 feet oC row. Rake the fertilizer well into the soil, Then drop the seed pieces 12 inches apart and COVel' with 4 inches of soil. As the plants grow draw n little soil into the trench at each hoeing. By the time the vines ['\.1'0 4 inches high the trench will be entirely filled. At this time apply commercial fertilizer Il.t the rete of S pounds for every 100 feet of row. Spread it evenly in both sides of the row of potatoes and take cere that none gets on the vines. Rake it into the soil until none cnu be seen, Planting the crop.-8ee "Planting chart." Oare of the crap.-Beforo the plants come up rake the soil to prevent the forming of u crust and to keep down the weeds. The best time to kill weeds 'is just niter t.he)~have sprouted . ..As soon us the plants are up keep the soil between tbe rows nlwaye well hoed to a depth of 2 inches. When the vines are in bloom draw the soil slightly toward tbe plants to form a small ridge. This is to prevent tbe potatoes growing out of the ground. Since tho potatoes nre planted 5 inches deep very little hilling will be required. As soon as the plants come through the soil they should be kept sprayed with eraenute of lead and Bordeaux mixture un til the vines mature. 'I'he spray should be thrown in It very fine mist end tbe vines completely covered. To protect the planes from their insect enemies consult "Insect chart" and "Oontaol of garden insects." GROWING OF TOMATOES. Pitth grade, Project .XfH. Sixth grade, Project XV. Seventh grade, Project :A'""V. Varieties.-To insure a supply of tomatoes throughout tho growing eeuson, three pllllltings fire necessary. The first planting should consist, of a few plants of Flnrlianu. These plants should be in bloom by the time the soil is warm enough to transplant w.ith the garden. Tho second plnnting, which is the mnin crop for table use should be Pouderoan, The third 01' last planting is used for canning purposes. Stone is It aatisfuctcry variety for this pluming. For other varieties of tomatoes consult "Schedule." Growing the plants.-A gardener in Hal·tsyille, S. C., planted seeds of ElU'liullR jn fiats in t.he house on Ja,nUlll')' J. ""Vhrmthe pll1nts had fou.r to six leavcs, t.hoy WCl'a transplfl..Oted into pots. By April 1 Utey were in bloom, Rnd \vera tronsplanted into the gl1l'deu in t.bree !'OWS 250 feet long. On J'une 1 ripe tomatoes were gathered. Be5ides supplying two I!Ul1ilies with tomat.oes, tile gn.rdener renlized $54..25 in Gnsh. The seeds ror t.he secoud planting should be sO\n.\ in February, Githo'!' in Oats in t.he house or in hotbeds. );'01' t.he third planting the scods should be sown in s . OROW[NG OJ!' 'l'OMA'£OES. 39 Transplanting the plants into the 'larden.-.A section of the garden should be chosen thnt has not previously grown tomatoes. This is to protect the plants from tomato diseases. The 1101e8should be large enough to place the plants deeper jll tho soil than they were in tho pots, and should be filled with rich mellow soil If possible mix one-half cup of commercial fertilizer thoroughly in the soil ill eeeli hole. As the plants grow the soil elm be dru wn toward them until the holes are completely filled. The lower leaves that touch the soil should be removed. For principles of transplanting see "Raising vegetable plants." For the distance apart of rows and of plants in the row see "Planting chart." To prevent the plnnte from cutworms see "Insect ehut-t, and Control of garden insects." To protect the plants with water during n. drought, a tomato MIl hom which the bottom has been removed may be sunk into the soil nenr ench plant. These should be filled with water during n dry spell. Stalting.-There are two methods of staking tomatoes in. general use. One is to prune the tomato vines to one main stnlk nnd tie the stalk to the support, usually a post 2 inches in diameter. The post could be 6 feet long end should be driven It feet into the soil. The other method is to prune the vines to 0,110 or two strong shoots end tie the plant to a trellis. .A trellis may be made as follows: For the upright pieces use 2 by 2 inch material 6 feet long. 'I'hese are placed 4 feet apart and driven It feet into the soil. ]'01' horizontal pieces use laths. These are placed about H Ieet apart end nailed to the upright pieces. Strips of cloth 1 inch wide can be used to tie the vibes to the sup- port. The etakee Or trellis should be in place before ilia tomatoes are transplanted into tile garden. Pruning.-The.re are two methods of pcuuing tomatoes. One is to prune ull the side shoots before they nre 2 inches in length, leaving just the main stem to bear Irulc. The other method is to allow the shoot directly below the first blossom bud to develop and prune nll the other shoots. 'Ibis leaves the main stem and one side snoot to bear Iruit. Some gardeners select n two shoots nud the main stern to bear fruit. The plants will require pruning throughout the grow- ing season 101' they will continually send out side shoots. These shoots should he removed before they nl"e2 inches long. TODlll100JwollpruDe~. CaTe oj the growing crap.-To keep the tomato diseuses in check, growers feel that it is necessary to spl·ay the plants with arsenate of lead IUleJBordeaux mixture every ten days throughout their period of growth. Some tomato diseases can only be controlled by plnoting the seeds, nod raising the plants in soil thil,t hus nc\'er produced tomatoes, and by traosplnnting the plttnl-s into a section of the gllTden that has not grown tomatoes. 'rhe state e..xperiment sta- tions are trying to produce a tomlLto that will be immune from disease. For prepfM·ing lutd il.pplying n.rsenate of leil.d a,nd BordeltU-.x mixture consult Ileonlrol of gurden insects." '1'0 protect the plants from tJleir insect enemies consult insect chart and insect control. Ha1l,dli1l,gl71,e swrplus.-IlSteps in c.fU1ning)'will tell how to can tOOlutoes. llMarketing tho 8UTplus>lwill tell how to market tomatoes. 40 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. GROWING OF BEANS. Fifth grade, Projects X, XV. Sixth grade, Project XIV. Seventh grade, Project XV. Varieties.—The pole varieties yield more abundantly and for a longer period than the bush varieties. This is true of both the snap and the butter beans. For varieties see "Schedule." Time to plant.—Beans can be planted in the garden as soon as all danger of frost is over and the soil is warm. To have a continuous supply of beans several different plantings should be made. For planting dates see "Schedule." Planting.—The "Planting chart" will tell how to plant beans. Care of the crop.—"Care of growing vegetables" will tell how to hoe, weed, and fertilize the crop as well as how to make the support for the running varieties. "Insect chart" will tell the insect enemies of the bean, and "Control of garden insects" will tell how to control these insects. To check the spread of a disease called anthracnose that is common among beans the plants should never be disturbed when covered with dew or rain. This means neither pick the beans nor hoe between the rows. When the plant is disturbed the spores of this fungus easily float about in the dew and infect new areas in the plant. Handling the surplus.—"Steps in canning" will tell how to can beans. "Marketing the surplus" will tell how to market the surplus. GROWING OF SWEET POTATOES. Fifth grade, Project XV. Sixth grade, Project XII. Seventh grade, Projects XIV, XV. Advantages in raising sweet potato plants.—The chief advantage is in securing plants free from disease. This is done by bedding healthy seed potatoes in freshly prepared beds and placing the plants in a new patch. Sweet potato diseases are widespread, and all potatoes used for bedding should be carefully selected. Any potatoes showing diseased areas, or having wounds should be rejected. Time to bed potatoes.—Bed in March and April for plants to put into the garden in May and June. Potatoes should be bedded from four to six weeks before it is time to put the plants into the garden. Varieties.—See "Schedule." Preparation of bed.—The size of the frame will depend upon the number of slips desired. It may be 8 inches high on the north side and 6 inches high on the south side. The excavation should be 8 to 16 inches deep, with a length and width corresponding to the inside measurements of the frame. The frame should be placed on top of the pit which is filled as follows: 4 to 12 inches of fresh horse manure thoroughly packed and watered, 4 inches of good garden soil, 3 inches of sand. Place the potatoes 1$ inches apart in the sand and cover with a layer of sand 4 inches deep and water the bed. Care should be taken to secure manure that has had no diseased potatoes thrown upon it. The soil should be taken from the woods or from the garden where potatoes have not been grown. Care of the bed.—The bed should be covered only on cold nights and during drenching rains. At all other times leave the beds open. CARE OF GROWTNG VEGETABLES, 41 Preporaiion. oft11.(jsoi.l.-I'Prepitl'ation of garden soil I' will tell bow to prepare the soil Ridges arc made by throwing two or three furrows together and leveling with n harrow. Wido ridges are preferred for they do not dry out quickly. Just befort) the plants are set out top drCS8 I the soil on the ridges by Ill) application of a high grede commercial fertilizer used ot the rntc of 4 pounds to 100 feet of ridge. '}'his fertilizer should be mixed well into the soil. Tm,1J..S1l7tJ/n-lii-ng into the ga·rilen.-For distance epert of the plants see 'I Plan ting chart." For directions for transplanting SGeIIRnising of vegetable plants." The plnnta should not be m-ans- planted into the garden until all danger of frost is passed. Oare oj the crop.-Until the vines begin to runl the soil should be hoed froquentJy enough to prevent the top soil forming a crust, Somo gardeners tum the vines from one side of tho row to the other to prevent thorn taking root. Digging.-They should be dug in the fall before the frosts come. A sunny day should be selected when the soil is dry so the potatoes can be le.ft out three or four bow'S ufter being dug. A spading fork can be used to dig them. Groat cure should. be taken not to injure or bruise the potatoes. Storing.-To keep well, sweet potatoes need to be kept in n WItI'm, dry, well-\TelJtiln.ted place. They CM be stored the day after llhey nra dug. "Storage of vegetables" will tell 110W to construct end fill the pit. The varintioae are as follows: Build the pit on top of the soil and pnck ell'.\' send between the layers of potatoes. Provide extra ventilation b~rplacing ven- tilating sharts Itt. the bottom of the pit directly under the straw. The shaft can be mads of bonrds end should extend tllrough the bottom of the pit;. The top bonrd should havo holes bored into it to let the nil' out into the pit. Tho end O]laning need not be over 6 by 6 inches, IUH! should be protected with 11 soreCll. .Allow ono vontilatutg shutt to overy 7 bushels of potatoes. If there nre 15 bushels lise 2 shafts. There should !too be a ventilatllig shn!t leading from the Lop Of the potuOOl$ through tile straw. A () by 6 inch openulg would be suIlicient. Tho top of tbe shtlJt should be covered to keep out the nun o,nd nt the sttme time o..uow for circulation of air. 'Wboo the wcuthffi' gets cold the vcntihtol'8 ShOllld be closod. CARE OF GROWING VEGETABLES. Fifth grade, Projocts X, XI, XII, XlJI, XIV, x-V. Siltthgmde, Projects Xl, XIl, XTlJ, XIV, XV. SevcnUl gl'llde, Project x\r. To give tho necessfl.rY' attention to the growing vegetable crops the glU-dcner should be (fimj}jlu' with \,he foUowing gn,rdcn activities: Fertilizing, thinning, weeding, hoeingl watering, spraying, stnkingl prUlting, and blaJlching. FI~R1"iT.lzrNG. W71y s7wlLlr.ljerlilizer be applied to the grO'lUingcropf-The plant food ill commercial fertilizer is morc quickly made aVll.ilo.'bJcthnn the plant food in the soiJ 01' jJl stahle mmIUJ'O. Fo!' this reUSc)llcommercial fertilizer is used for all quick-growing crops, flSvegetables. An npplication of fertilizer lLot only makes tJle vegetables form more quickly, but also prolongs the benring period. Fertilizer applied to snap nnd butter beiUlS will cause the plOJlt to acnd out more blossoms and more pods will be produoed, W7um aM ·h.owshO'Ulilfertili2c1' be CJ1)pliedto the gl'mJJi1l.gcrop1-Because fertilizer is so easily rnn.do n.vn.ilable gfU'dene.rs ltmke two or three applications at ,inrorvnls of two to tb:roo weeks during the growiug period. Each application should be made at tho l'IlW of 3 pounds for every 42 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. 100 feet of row. I t should be spread thinly and near the plant, and should be hoed well into the soil. Care needs to be taken not to get any fertilizer on the leaves of the plants. No fertilizer should be applied to lettuce after it starts to head. Kind to use.—The fertilizer used for tobacco plants is good. It is a high grade fertilizer. THINNING. When should thinning he done?—In order to insure a good stand most vegetable seeds are sown too thickly. This necessitates thinning when the plants are 1 inch high and again when they are 2 inches high. If thinning is done as soon after a rain as the soil can be worked the remaining plants will not be disturbed. These unnecessary plants if left in the row are as harmful to the growing crop as so many weeds in the row. How much thinning should be done?—The amount of thinning will vary with the kind of vegetables. With root crops, such as turnips, carrots, parsnips, and salsify, the diameter of the fleshy root governs the distance apart to leave the plants. The plants should be left just far enough apart for the mature roots to touch. With plants like lettuce, mustard, and Swiss chard the size of the top governs the distance apart to leave the plants. The mature plants can touch each other. For distance apart of plants see "Planting chart." What could be done with the jylants that are taken out?— Beets, lettuce, mustard, and Swiss chard plants can be trans- planted into new rows. Beet, turnip, mustard, lettuce, and Swiss chard plants can be cooked for greens. For principles of transplanting see "Raising of vegetable plants." WEEDING. Necessity.—To secure the best results a garden should be kept free of weeds. Weeds rob the vegetable plants of sunlight, air, moisture, and plant food and take u p room that could be used for the growing of vegetables. They also serve as a substitute food plant for m a n y of the garden insects as wheel hoeing. w e u a s hibernating quarters. When should the garden be weeded?—Every time the gardener goes into the garden ho should do some weeding. T h e best time to kill the majority of the weeds is just as the young plants come through the soil. Wild morning glory can be completely controlled b y porsistontly pulling u p t h e young plants. The gardener should be continually on the watch, for young weed plants will b e coming u p throughout t h e growing season. Biennial weeds, with long roots, and weeds belonging to the grass family should be removed from the soil when tho garden is being spaded or plowed. The gardener should give just as much time to removing these weeds as to pulver- izing tho garden soil. The grass roots should be p u t in a pile and burned. HOEING. Reasons.—Hooing kills weeds, saves soil moisture for the growing crops, and insures a better supply of air. When the top soil is compact, soil water is lost by evaporation. Hooing savos moisture by making tho top soil loose and porous. This prevents (ho soil undernoath drying out. Every gardener should learn tho value of hoeing, for it increases the yield of a crop at least twofold. In many localities it would bo far hotter to hoe a crop than to water it artificially. Occasionally gardeners use straw between rows of such crops as tomatoes. In such cases the straw is removed once in three weeks, the soil hoed, and the straw replaced. OARE OF GROWING VEGETABLES. 43 How and.when should the 80'i.lbe hoedf-The upper 2~ inches of soil should be kept loose end dustlike. Hoeing should be shallow end level, otherwise the roots of !.he crop will be cut. A sofa rule is Dever to nllow a. crust to form in. the surface of the soil. A crust indicates thnt the soil moisture is corning to the surface, evaporating, and leaving the plant food on the top to cement the soil particles together. The soil should be hoed as soon as possible after overy rain, after watering, and at least twice II week during a drought. 'rho prncuce of hoeing tho 1'OWSof vegetables into ridges is to be condemned. The ridg- ing precess cuts off the roots of tho vegetables and at the same time exposes more surface for evaporation. "...,.- A well hoed garden is never "luid by," WATERL~G. The usual method of wn.tecing a garden dooe more harm than good, for it simply pucks the top Boiland allows tbo soil water to reach tho surface and evaporate. How to water.-Remombcr that the roots of plnnte need tho water end not the leaves. Prectacclly ell tho water the plant requires is taken in through the roots. If the water is applied directly to the soil between tho rows of crops, less water will be required and less time needed to do the work. Watering should be done as follows: Remove the nozzle from tho hose, turn on tho water, find draw tbe hose slowly down the rows. The amount of water applied should equal a long soaking rain. It should moisten the upper foot of soil. An ceca- sionul thorough application of wnter does far more good than a sprinkling each daj , Tho intervals of watering will depend upon the rains lind tho mellowness of tho garden soil. Over- head watering wi th a. hose i!l a long end tedious process. It takes much time and wat-er simply to wet tho leaves. To prevent the loss of water by evaporation tbe soil should be hoed after watering the same as after tL ruin. SPRATIXG, Reu8ons.-II we do not protect our plants from insect enemies wo need not. expect to get a good crop, for the plant to grow well needs the work of each particular pra-t-e-roots, stems, leaves, and blossoms. The roots take in food and moiaturo, which the sterns convey through the plant. The leaves arc the muuufacturing parts, and the blossoms make tho fruit. If we allow the pete.to bugs to eat the 101:\\'05of our potato plants, we neod not e::q)oct to get potatoes, for the starch in ilie llotato is mllde in t,he leaves. When and how tD sprall.-Coru;ult l'Insect chart" and "Control of garden insecLs,P STAKING. Garden peas, pole beaus/ nnd tomatoes need to be staked. Row is this dQ1W1-Brush Ci1.111)0 st\lck in lbe rows of gl1l'don pens for the vines to climb on. If tL 0101'0 permllllout trollis is desired, chiokon wire 4 feet wide can be used. Sticks woven through the ",im overy 4 feet and d1'i"~on into tho soil 1 foot. will servo to hold tlle wire . swn' and OJ'oct. At oneh and of Lbo row the wi.re sholJld be fastened to posts. .AfOOrthe crop is harvested, tho vines should be .removod and tbe wire wi t.h tho sticJm rolled up and stored in a dl'y plaeo. The wire will thim be roady to use another yeaI'. At first a little attention will be neoded to train tho vines in the Wll'C. A trellis for pole beans' can bo lDl\.da IlS follows: Strong poles 6 feet long ll1'e drivon into tho soil ttl. each end of the row, If the row is long, extra poles may be l1ol,lded. Two wires are then stretched hori:r.ontnlly between the poles---ouo at the top find the other 4 incbes from 44 .ROME GAJ:DBNJ1>,~GFOR CITY CHILlJHEN. the soil. String is then laced between t.hn wires. At first. the vines will need to be trained in tha trellis. For tho staking of tomatoes eoe «Growing of tomatoes." When shouliJ,it 'bedoner-For garden pOM and pole beans tho trellis should be put up before the crops are planted. The stakes or trellis should bo in plnce before the tomatoes IL1'O tr-ans- • planted into tho garden. PRU:-ITXO. If tomutoos are brained to a stukc or a trellis, they will require pruoing. For dlrectdous of pruning, sec "Growing of tomatoes." P1lrpose.-8taking and pruning makes it, possible to produce more and bettor quality touiatoee in It given area, liLA::';OlII.N~;. Celery and endive m-e the two garden vegetables that require blanching. Purpose.-Blanching improves the f1J1vQrnnd mnkse the part tend or and crisp. Ikro 0,1'6 the pl(l/n/s bla,nched~-lulY device thn~ will exclude the light will cause the atoms and leaves of celery and endive plau ts to blanch. There nrc two methods of blanching celery. One is with paper tubes fwd tho other is with soil. Celery blanched wilili soil hns n. sweeter flavor than when blanched by other methods. Soil, however, cnn not be used for blanching early full celery, as it bus 1'1. tendency to cause the stalks to rust. For this reason gardeners use paper tubes or beards for blanching tho early crop and sell Jor the winter crop, Ptl:PCI' Lubes CIlU either be made or purchased. When the plants lUG about J5illches high the tubes are placed about them so that only the leaves project. Tho tubes UTe beld in place by soil drawn nrOUlHItho 111lSC. Six-inch tiles cun l)c used in place of paper tubes. Some varieties of celery blanch so easily that 12~jncJ] boards placed on each side of the row are nll that ore necessary. The bottoms of the boards are placed as closely as possible to the roots and the top edges [fro gradually drav.'ll.togethcl' until the boards are perpendiculcr. They IHe then held in place by driving ill stakes. If soil is 1190(1,CAre should be taken not to get lilly into the growing center of the plant, This call be done by holding the outside stems c.losely toget.her with the htilld, then drnwing the soil around tJl.e plant until the stems m'e completely covered. Ban.king with snil should be started whell the plants fl,re about S inches high. As the plants growl morc cflrthis c1rn\'lD. around them. The pl~mts "hould be completely covered when liho cold weather comes. I.Riohmoud, Va. 'l!"'irst,send for t.he list of publications Jrom each of these sources. Then study the Jist carefully nud apply for only 1.h0:;36bulletins that are vitally needed to help solve the present garden problems. OOTUNlJ If'OR STlJD1."l:NG VEGETABL:E,s. A better crop ceo be produced if the gcrdeuer knows, before planting time, the scil rcqulre- mente, cultural methods, and barveeting possibilities of each vegetable grown in the garden. I. Name cud variety of the vegetable to he planted: Consult "Planting calendar" and II Sched ole." II. Soill'equiremcllt.s: Consult "Preparation of garden soil." III. FW"Liljzer requirements: Consult "Pl'cpIlJ:ation of gardeu l:lOj)" llnd uClll'G of growing vegetubl{~s." IV. Method of propngation-sccds, bulbs, 01" I,ubcl's. V. SeasoDs of plnnti.ng: Consult "Ca!BDdaf", tI ScheduJc," I1nd "Hois.ing vcgetuble phWLs." JJ VI. Methods of plauting: Consu.lt "Chort." 1. How fill' apl:l.l"tare the rows ~ 2. How f DI apart UTe LIla plall ts in the rows' 3. How deep is the seed, tubor, or plant planted 1 4.. How liay seeds uro needod for 100 feet of row ~ VII. Location. of the vcgotal)le in the gi\rde.n. 1. Is the 'Vegetable sun loving in its habits ~ 2. Is the ,',agetnble shude loving in its habits ~ 3. Will the vogetlll)le shade or crowd other vegetuhles ~ VlII. Care of the crop: Consult "Planting chart," "Cll.re of growing YogetttlJles," "Inseot chlll't," und HControl 01 garden insects." 1. Row often should tho erOl) bo cultivated ~ 2. What is the Teq uit'(~ddjstance of thinning for' full developmc.nt of ilia vegetable ~ 3. Does this vegetable need to be trausplilllted 1 4. Does t.bis vegetable need to be staked 1 5. Does this vegetable need to be blanched 1 6. Does tbjs vegetable need to bo sprayed 1 (a) Wlmt is the purpose of the spray ~ (b) What is the best spray to use 1 (c) How often should the crop bo sprayed ~ 46 HOME (fARIJ8N1NG FOR CiTY C.BlLDREN. IX. Harvesting: Consult "PIll11tlng churt," "Steps in canning, n H Storing of vegetables," and H Marketing the surplus. >I 1. When should this vegetable mature 1 2. How is it prepared for borne use ~ 3. What is the canning possibility ~ 4. Is there a market demand for this vegetable 1 (a) Row should it be prepared Ior market ~ (b) What price should it bring ~ 5. How is the fresh vegetable stored for winter use t INSECT CHART. Fifth grade, Projects X. xr, XIV, XV, XVI. Sixth grade, Projects 2...'lI,XIV. XV, Xv I. Seventh grade, Pecjeot Xv. JJI8oo~enemr. Vesotablel! InJurod. \I'bcn fnilOOl new rllCogn!zocl. NUIDhm" of appcs"". .MoJthod of jnJury. Control. broods. CUlomt!o rotQ- l'olAto, toll1ll.(j'I, pep- Early apr/nl: Q.Il YllllowJ~h red w,lU1 E .. lJll""vt:II ..• __•.•.... Parls~orll.rJllI'!k lWlrkingll. ~fleud. w .... lll&'es come throllghUHl ""il. FInJ,l.lly boon, ~I<"" melrm, "lflJl'll!' ""!lUmber, ~W"~ I»- .W. Clltw~l1llS .•... Cabl;,q:e, tcuullo, pep. III spring when Uarr16!1~ 6I.llt bodied Cun oil' pln.ul elow to Bmn mII!Ih, paper c0" in 10",wlng. mll!tW family, DalI- Lan'tIl "eh'eiy tunlum,m.lgtlonett0- greenwOTm. Cll.llbnb"'··········· .. • Mil}' . AdllR-re.",mhleshut· ••••• do ••••••••••• __...•..• do .•........•...•• JF1""~ brood terRy of IlIlptlrllld mQ!lt lI.... ~u"bllgeWllrm. I'ElI"' ~trUQtI ... ll, "Ill atrl)1Cd, With blao::k !t>ok. DElI"lequln bug. Cllbbull\l,1alJe,l'(lllarU, Aprn ....•••••••• lll~,* with red murk. S\lcllutumn. kIlling [root In antumn. frost III spring . Lynchburg .. .......•..••... Oct. 2 . Oct. 27. . May 17 . Apr. 2~. Asheville . Oct. S .•..•......... Oct. IS . Mayl() . May 10. Chllpcl Hill . Oct.!. . Oct. 2[1. •• Ua)·10 . Apr. 7. Charlotte •............... _. _ . Oct. 8 . Nov.4 . Apr. 26••........•.. Mar. 29. Goldsboro •.........••............••.. Oct. 12.••. _......•. Oct. 30 ........•.... Apr. 22 .•..•..•.•... Apr. 4. Greensboro _•• _........•.•.•.. Oct. 11 . Oct. 20 ......•...... Apr. 26....•.•...... .Apr.7. Kinston ............••............ -. Oct. 12 . Oct. 29 . Apr. 2(; ••.••.•.•...• Apr. 6. Rllleigh _. Oct. B •••..••.•..... Nov. 2 •..•........• Mlly6 . ne.ai. Rf'iclsvi.lIe .•.. Oct. 2 _ . Oct. 22 : . May 10 .••......•.•. Apr. 13. Salisbury..... . . . Oct.3_. .. _ Oct. 21. . ![ay15 _ _ Apr. fl. Wilnllngton ...........•..•.....•...•. Oct, Hi ............• Nov.IS . Mayl ......•....... Mar. 23. Winston·Salem ....•...•.............. Oct. 2 . Oct. 23 ........•.... May}!) ..••..••.•.•. Apr. 15. '.-. Filth grade, Project, J.."YTT. Sixth grade, Proje~t8XIV, XV. STEPS IN CANNING. Seventh grade, Project XVI. All sur-plus SUillInGI' vegetables that can not be dried should be cunuod. Vegetables keep best when cnuned in spring-top jars. L Test jars to see that they are free from leaks. To do SOl fill jar throe-fourths full of wil.tor, put en rubber, screw on top, nnd invert. II. weab jars endlids in bot soa;py water. If jure have been 115e<1 before, put a teaspoon- full of baking sodn ill each, fill with wnrm water, and Iet It stand Icr half an hour, m. All utensils should be ready to lise before vogembles nre gnubered. IV. Select for oanniug purpose.'> those fruits and vegetables thn.t are best suited to cook- ing. They should be fresh, crisp, and free from decoy, nod fl.'; nearly uniform in size, color, and ripeness as can be obtained. They sbculd be canned as soou after picking as possible. The rule is "oue hom from the garden to the oau.' V. Wash the vegeteblee and fruit carefully. VI. From here on the directions chnugc with the vegetable 01' fruit. to he canned. A. 'j'omruoes-e- 1. l)tJL uicrcmraoce into boiling water for one. minute. Thht mak('lj them peel easier. 2. He.moye skins, 3. QlIt \Ill !Ill if tbo}' were to \)0 cooked, or, if preicu('d, they mny be ('ll.nnCil whole. Ii muned whole, remove nll Jam! core . .1. Fill tile j:u,,"to within 1 illCh of the top. Add to eM:h quart n 10\'01 twspoom'ul of snIt. Do lwt ~c water, juko is ~ulliciQDt. 54 ROME GARDENING FOR OITY CHILDREN. 5. Carefully dean rim to remove all juice and seeds. 6. Place rubbers and cover on jar and parfial.ly seal. Use now Good Lucie rubbers thJ.lt have just. been boiled for one minute. 7. Place on rack in ll. boiler. A good rack may be made of elate. "lIj. 8. Fill boiler with enough water to como to within 2 inches of top or jar. r 9. Cover boiler. 10. Bring to a boil, then boil for 20 minutes. 11. Remove jars, tighten lids, and invert. to 1::001. Do not place janl in a dr~rt nor on a bard cold surface. •• Lee.mlng 1.0 call VflG(lta.blos anlllrult in tho sclJool kitchen. Fruit, such as peaches, pears, plums, apples, and berries, may be canned the same as toma- toes, except II hot sirup is used instead of salt. The sirup may be made as follows: 2 cups water. 1cup sugar. The length of time for cooking also varies. It depends !1pon the kind nnd ripeness of the fruit, . Berries, 15 mteutee. Plums. 20 minutes. A pplca, 20 minutes. Peaches, 30 minutes. Peers, 40 rnluutea. < MARKETING TITE SURPLUS. 55 Tomatoes, peaches, pears, plums, apples, find berries may be canned by the open pot method, and put while hot into hot clean jars. Place on rubber, SCiU and invert to cool. B. Beans-e- 1. SM;p or cut the beaus the same as lor cooking. n beans are very young and louder they may be canned whole. 2. Put into a. cheesecloth square, wire basket, or tlrin muslin bag, nud lower into boilb.1g water for 10 minutes. 111m is to shrink the beans 80 more can be put into the jar3. 3. P1ungointo cold v..ater for half a minute. 01. Put the beans into jam, .filling to within I inch of the top. Add one level teespconful of fllllt to nacb qunrt, and fill to within 1 inch or top with water the eame tempera.ture lIIlthat into which tho jSIH nre to be pllLCed. 5. Clean rim of jar carefully. 6. Place rubber on [ue end purtlally seal. Use new Good Luck rubbers Hint have just been boiled for one minute. 7. Place iu boiler 011rack made of slats. B. F'ill boiler wi th enough wa.tor to come to within 2 inches of top of jars. D. Cover boiler. 10. Bring water to a boil. Boil for one hour on each of three eucceselve days. 'rho covers should be tightened after the boiling has been finished the first day, and should not he opened R,!,'ilill. ·li o .. -:. • This OlIIlIlingQut:/.l~ Qwlll1lJ by IIIQllChOOllllloon;d t.o tho !lCbOOl.gnrd~1lOTlifor pn:acrving tbi.llrBurplu.~. MARKETING THE SURPLUS. Seventh grAde, Project XVI. Tho garden should bo planned, first, to supply the family with it variety of fresh vege- tables throughout the gardening season, and, secondly, to provide for additional rows that cnu be canned, stored, or lett ill 1.1:1.0garden for winter lise. 'I'lie remnining space can be planted in crops to market. The variety of these crops and tho quantity to plant will depend upon whether the vegetables are to be sold to neighbors or to local dealers. Before n selection is made the gardener should consult the neighbors, or the loon] dealers, and find out what vege- tables would be purchased nnd tile amount of ecch. Grading and displaying the vegetables uttrucbively IIrC csecatinl to all successful market- ing. A high quality of vegetable, carefully pecked in a clean basket of suitable size nnd shape will attract the eye of the customer. It will also insure n future nuu-ket. Remember that fresh vegetables wither very quickly and should be marketed !IS soon as possible after they are gathered. 56 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CJ;l.1LDREN. The vegetables should be graded with reference to size, shape, color, and degree of ripe- ness. They should be clean, fresh, and free of any blemish or bruise. Tomatoes, for instance, should be wiped, end only those of the same size, shape, color, and the same degree of ripeness should be packed together. One overripe, leaking tomato will take away the attractiveness of the entire basket. Do not mix: large find medium sized boons together, but instead place the large beans in one pile and tho medium ones in another. Sell the large beans to the customers who wish large beans, and the medium ones to the customers who wish this kind. Beans graded like this will require the snme amount of time far cooking. Butter beans should be graded in the same way. Corn should be graded as to size of ears and degree of ripeness. Some customers will want the corn while the kernels are in the early milk stage, while others will want corn when the milk in the kernels begins to thicken. Beets should be graded first as to shape, then ItS to size. All beets that arc bruised, irregular in shape, or that have deep furrows filled with littJe roots should be discarded. The remaining ODes should be grouped ns follows: Place all those that are 2 inches in diameter in , one pile, those 3 inches ill another, find those still larger in a third pile. The beets should then be washed and bunched. There will be customers who will wish each of these grades of beets. Beets 2 inches in diame- ter nrc preferred ill most markets. Other root crops, such as radish, turnips, cnrrcts, nud parsnips should be graded, in the same way. Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes should be graded, but not washed. Onions are marketed in either the green Or the mature stage. Green onions are sold in bunches. As the onions are being bunched f the outer skins are removed and nll but ;I- inches of the tops is cut off. Usually there eU~f\l1 mnrk\rrNG ron CITY CRILDRt~N. should be spread over and between the rows in December. This layer should be thin enough for the pleuts to grow through it the following spring. Ha'I"Vest·ing.-A strawberry bed carefully prepared and cured fer should produce at the rate of D. quart of berries to the plant the following season. 'f GROWING OF RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, AND DEWBERRIES. 'V(l'I"ietWB.-Red rnspberriee-c-Outbbert, St. Reg~, or Cardinal. Black raspberries-Cum- berland, Kenses, or Cregga. Blackberries-Early Harvest or Eldorado. Dewberriee-c-Lucretin or Austin . .Time of planl'ing.-March. Securing the planls.-The plants cost [Tom 5 to 15 cents if purchased from nurseries. (See nurseries listed in "Tbe strawberry bed".) N.1)' neighbor growing these plants would huve qUl111- titiee of plants to give aWl1y. Such plants, however, should be carefully inspected to see that they are free of disease. Locatim i:n the ga7'(len.-The plants do well in it. cool shady section of the garden. They could be planted next to the fence, or in corners not used fer the growing of vegetable crops. PreparatJion of the 80'U.-Like strawberries these fruits grow best ill well drained, carefully prepared garden soil. For prepare.tion of Boil consul t "Preparation of the garden for planting," and "The strawberry bed." Setting the plants.-The rows should be 4 feet apart, and the plants placed 3 feet apart in the rows. The plants grow rapidly and would soon crowd if placed closer together. The holes should be lerge enough to spread the roots out well and should contain rich mellow soil to induce new root growth. Any bruised section of the root should be cut of! as ueurly horizontal ns possible with a sharp knlle. The plants should be set 3 to 4 inches deeper than they had prevl- ously been. The soil should be pressed firmly about. the roots . .As the new sprouts form, the soil should be pulled toward the plant until the hole is completely filled. Oare of the patch.-The patch should be hoed frequently to save moisture and to kill weeds. Shoots called Buckers, which sprout from the roots of red rnspben-iee and blackberries, must be kept under control, 01' the patch will in time become a dense thicket and the fruit will decrease in quantity and quality nod will be hnrd to pick. The rows should be kept 8 to 10 inches wide. The patch should receive a light application of stable manure or commercial fertilizer each year. It is a mistake to think these berries require no fertilizer. Immediately after the fruit is gathered, tho canes that have borne fruit should be cut out and burned. These old canes are of no value to the plant and are likely to harbor insecta and fungous diseases. In the spring reel raspberries are pruned as follows: Tho weak canes ere cut out and the strong 011CS are cut buck to 4 feet. During the early part of the summer black raspberries and blackberries are pruned as follows: '!'he tops of the new canes are cut back 2 inches when tbe canes IU'O 3 feet high. This is dono to make the canes branch. A. brunched cane will produce mor-e fruit then a straight cane. Since all the new canes will not reach tho desired height at the same time, the patch must be gone Over more than once. The canes should be thinned out to 5 canes to each plant. Very little pruning is required for dewberries. p.ropaga,ting.-Red raspberries and blackberries send up shoots from tbe horizontal roots. These shoots make new plants and can be transplanted into new rows in the garden in Scptem- her. In digging up the plants care should be taken to remove a part of the horizontal root. I! the tips of the long canes of black raspberries and dewberries are covered with mellow soil the last of August, they will t~ke roo.t and produco new plants that could be transpl11llt0C1 into rows in the garden the followmg sprmg. PRUNING OF FLOWERING SHRUBS, VINES, AND TREES. 59 Diseases.—These fruits have a number of diseases and insect enemies. These can be partially controlled by cutting out and burning all the old canes and any new canes that are diseased. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture is also practical. The first application should be made when the new canes are 6 inches high. A second and third application should be made at intervals of 10 to 14 days. "Control of garden insects " will tell how to make Bordeaux mixture. Harvesting.—Berry patches carefully cared for should bear for 10 to 15 years. PRUNING OF FLOWERING SHRUBS, VINES, AND MATURE TREES. Seventh grade, Projects IX, X. Pruning of flowering shrubs and vines.—The shrubs and vines used in the front yard to beautify the home require very little pruning. Dead, broken, or rubbing branches are all that need to be removed. Shrubs, however, that are used to supply flowers should be severely pruned. This will induce the plant to send out many branches on which flowers will be borne. a b o d e f Showing the evolution of a cavity and method of treating the same: a, Large stub left from pruning; b, beginning of decay; c, more advanced stage; d, cavity formed in the wood; e, longitudinal section of the trunk showing cavity; f, cavity cleaned out and filled with cement. Time to prune flowering shrubs and vines.—Spring flowering shrubs, such as forsythia (yellow bells), should be pruned immediately after blooming, for the blossoms for the following spring are formed during the plant's summer growth. Summer and fall flowering shrubs, such as roses, should be pruned in the early spring before the buds open, for the season's blossoms are borne in the new wood grown during the spring. In each case a severe pruning causes the plant to send up more blossom-bearing branches. Pruning of mature trees.—The only branches that need to be removed from a mature tree are those that are dead or broken and those that rub against each other. All water sprouts should be removed as early as possible. How to remove a large branch.—To prevent the falling branch from ripping off the bark and wood of the trunk, the branch should be sawed 1 foot from the trunk, first from the bottom to the center, and then from the top. The stub should be removed in the same way. The cut should be made close4 and parallel to the trunk. If the wound is large, it should be covered with zinc. The zinc should be made the same size as the wood portion of the wound. This will enable the growing section between the bark and the wood to cover the zinc. Time to prune mature trees.—Mature trees can be pruned at any time. If done in the spring the wound will heal more quickly. 60 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. Showing too common method of pruning branches, resulting in the disfiguration of the tree:, a, Tree before pruning; b, branch cut in the wrong way resulting in peeling of the bark; c, unsightly wound caused by this method of pruning. Showing the proper method of pruning large branches: a, Tree before pruning; b, showing relative distance offirstcut from the tree trunk; c, the same with branch ait close. ltLOWEn GROWING. 61 RAISING SWEET PEAS. Seventh grade, Project TV. V(L'I"ietiIJ8.-First choice) Spencer varieties; second choice) orchid flowered mixed. Henry Dreer Seed Co., Philadelphia, Pa., makes a speciality of these seeds. Time to l>lant.-Swcet peas may be planted in the full and protected with a muslin cover through the "...inter, 01' they may be planted eurl}r in the spring-February, if possible. An effort should be made to plant the seed early enough to enable the roots to become well eeteb- Iiehed in the soil before there is much growth of the tops. Tho light seeded vnrietios nre not so robust as the dark seeded ones, and for this reason 8110u1dnot be planted until the ground :is cornperatively wurru and dry. Locatio-n.-Sweet pees should be planted in a wnrrn, sunny, well-drained section of the vegetable garden. P"eparation Oft718 trench.-To blossom well, sweet peas need a deep, rich loam. This means' It soil made up or about equal parte of send, clay, end organic matter. Line oITa trench 15 inches wide, the length of the TOW. Remove the mellow top soil and place it fit one eide of the trench, to be used ill refilling. Continue removing the subsoil until the trench is 20 inches deep. Pile this subsoil on the opposite side of the trench to be carted away. Place 4 inches of cinders at the bottom of the trench. Then after the reserved top Boilhas had worked into it one-third of its bulk of well-rotted manure, return j t to the trench. If this returned soil still Seems heavy I add ennd also. Then fill the trench with soil made of one-third top soil, one-third well-rotted. manure, and one-third sand. In addition, bone meal at the rate of 8 pounds per every 100 feet of trench should be worked thoroughly through the soil. This filled-in soil should be well firmed. BlOSS01118 for exhibition purposes arc produced on a soil that bas been trenched 2; to 3 feet deep. P7.t.mtingthe seed.-'l'he seed should be planted 1 inch apart and 4 inches deep end covered with 2 inches of soil. When tho plants ar-e It inches high they should be thinned out to 2 inches apart. .As the plants grow, the soil is gradually drawn around them until the trench is com- pletely filled. Oare of the plantB.-When the plants are 8 inches high) top dress tho Boil with a. high-grade fertilizer such as is used by tobacco growers. This fertilizer should be applied at the mte of 2 pounds for 100 feet of trench. Similar applications should be made when the buds begin to appear, and again at the height of the blossoming period. The top soil should be kept well hoed. During droughts, the Boil should be watered thoroughly. '1'0 prolong the blossoming period the blossoms should be picked regularly. A trellis made of poultry wire is satisfactory and can be used year after year. FLOWER GROWING. Pilth grnde, Project VlII. Sixth grade, projects Il, VIn, ).."TX. Seventh grode, Projects V, vr, VII. FLOWER BORDERS. Location.-The flower borders should be located against the fences and close up ngnlnst the sunny sides of the house. The center of the lawn should be free of a..~yro~nd flower beds. Preparation of soil.-To grow well, flowers need a deep, meUo~, rich SOIl. In order to secure these conditions It trench should be made the length and width of the border and at least 15 inches deep. In spading the soil the bottom 5 inches should be thrown one side to be 62 IIO"Aill GARDENING r-on OITY OHILDn£N. carried I~Wi1Y and the remaining soil mixed with a l-IoOL layer of well-rotted manure a. compost. Planning the border.-'I'he attrllCt;iveness as well as the usefulness of the flower border depends upon the choice and arrangement of flowers. The Ilowera should be chosen us to height of plants, color of blooms, and seasons of blooming. The tallest flowers should be placed at the beck of the border. For D,. border 6 feet wide none of the plnnte need be over 5 feet high. There can be a riot of colors if the flowers nre errunged in clumps of two or three throughout the entire length of the border und if white flowers are used freely between shades thut olnsh. In well-planned flower borders some Ilowers should be in bloom every month during the growing season. A surprisingly large. number of individual plants. of each variety will be needed. Dur-ing ilia first year the borders may be made most a ttractive with annuals alone. II J;Vter the first, year hardy perennials migh t predom- inate with enough annual Ilowera to fill up the spaces and hide the soil. The fol- lowing well-tried, old-fash- ioned flowers will give Ute. best results: .A.nnual.flawe1's.-Alyssuml' Flowcrs well p1.Bced lDa.kethe bomo maru Mt.metl'l"c. (Cuurtesy 01"The Southern WorkWM.) Africnn daisy, annual phlox, aster, calendula, calliopsis, candy tuft, corn-flower, cosmos, larkspur, nigelln, merigold, nnetur- uum, petunia, stock, sunflower (vcut-end-come-ugain" variety) zinnia. I Hardy perennials.---Caoterbury belle, canna, hardy carnations, chryaenthemum, colum- bins, coreopsis, crocus, daffodil, dahlia, delphinium, foxglove, gaillardia, gladiolus, golden, glow, hollyhock, iris, lily, oriental POpPYI peony, phlox, piuk, plat.ycodon, tulip, acnbiose, eheate daisy, eunpdrngon, stock, sweet William wallflower, verbena, violet. l Plowt:T MaTt. l'lo",,,rs. Jlclgbt ofplanl. CoIQr lIf bloom. Semilj~l nfbloomlng. Alyssum g toatncbee . \Vh.ite . limy to October. Phlox (o.nnull.I) 1, reet ••.......... 'White, pink, salmon, ecarlct, yellow .......• June to October. Aeter.. _ I,feet .•.......... White, pink, purple . August,Octob&. CaIcnliulll. » •••••••• Ifoot. . • Ycllow,omngll •.... __ . June to October. Call:illpsis 2to3fect ......•• Crimson, yellow, orango . June to Aligust. COrni1owcr I, loot . mue, wbite, pink . Ma.y to July. COSUl05............. .. .. .. ,fj feet . White, piuk, rooe, criwoon, yellow . OoWber, November. Ltubpur .• _.............• Z feet . Blue, pink, rose, white .........•........... May, June. Marigofd _....•. _ J. to 2 foot .. _..•.. Yellow, orange ..•....... _ ,, __. Juno to October. NIUl\urlium __...• It04feet. ......• Yel.low, white, criIrulon......•......•..... May t.o OC\:(I1)er. PetuniA It feet . Whilll, pink, rod, lavender . .M,uyto October. Stock······· ·······lltfeet . Dlue, )'e11ow, lICarlet, whit.e . J~" FLOWER GROWING. 63 Flower dmrl-Continued. Flowe",. CWIIl" III bloom. Sen.",," of l>loomIIlf. Out-and-como-again eun- 4 Ie.. t _ yellow_._ ............•.......•............ .1une to October. flower. Zinnia. ..... _.. _. 1 to 2 feet . Yellow, white, orange, rose. July to October. Canterbury bells_ 2~feet . RO&l, white, blue __ . May, Juno. Canna . " Ieet. . White, yellow, red . July to October. Hardy cematicus. 1foot. . Red, white •.......•................... June to October. Chryaanihen1lLffi . 1 to 3 Ieet . . White, yellow, pink, red . September to November. Columbine ............•••. 1 to 2 filet . Yellow, white, pink, blue., . Mo.)'. June. Coreopsis .••............... 2 feet . Ycl!ow _ . " . Ma~',Juno. Crocus •..•.•.............. 3 inches .•...•.. , .. White, yellow, blue •............... February, March. DaffocUJ .. _ 1 foot ...•......••• yellow .....•......••........•.. _ February to April. Dahlia. . 31.04 leet ... _ Yellow, retl, pink. _ August, September. Delphinium . 15 inches to 4 loot. BluA .........................• , .. .liray, June. Foxglove . :Hoot, . White, yellow, purple, rod __ . May, June. (Inillardin .............•..• 1 to 2 foot . Qrimooll, yellow, omage .•. , ..••............ May to October. Gllld.ioIUll ............•... 2" feet ...•...•.•.. Pink, scarlet, yellow, white. violet •.... June 1.0 September. Golden glow _. 6 f~et.. _.•. _ •.. _. yellow ...........•.•.................. August. to September. Hollyhock . 5 to s recc.. . Yellow, pink, white, crimson, lavender. June, July. 'Iris .....................• 2 feet . White, yellow, purple __.. _ Mny. Daylily . 3fect, .....• , ..•. , yellow , .•••.•••.............. June, July. Oriental poppy . z tc s reee••..... , Scarlet, white, yellow __., June to September. Peony . ;3 foot ••.....•..... White, pink, red.. , . :May. Phlox (h4rdy) ....••.. _.•• 3 feet ..........•.. White, pink, scarlet, salmon, yellow .....•• J lint! 1.0 October. Pink (hartly). _.•......... Ifoot , .. 'Pink, scarlet, violet, ..•..........•..... Uny. June. Pletycodon .•....•......... 1~ feet ..•......... White, blue .............•................ June. Tulip (Darwin varieties). 1 fooL . Pink, scarlet, yellow. purple •...•......... April, Mo.y. Shasta dniay •.............. 2" feet . White with yellow _ . June. Snapdragon . 3 feet ...•...•..... White, pink, tolle, yellow . May to October. Sweet Willinm ..•.•...... _ 1 foot •..•......... White, scarlet, pink ...........•....•....... May and June. Wallflower . 1 foot •............ yellow ,., . Unrch, April. Violet •.....•...••........ G incites . Blue , . March, April, October. Verbena ....•............ 8 inches . Blue, purple, pink, white, red, yallcw ....• May to October. SUGGESTIVE DORDERS. Borders of annuals when white, blue, and pink calms are desired.--Co.m1os, cornflower, as ter, larkspur, annual phlox, nnnuel stock, nigeUn., alyssum. Borders of annua,ls where white, yellow, and o-ranqe colors are desired.---Dut--D.lld-come-nga.in sunflower, zinnias, calendula, callicpeie, marigolds, and nasturtium. C!/tlUJters of annMZs for an isola·ted corneJ',-B1ua cornflower, cnlliopsis, yellow marigolds, Illl d nl.YSllum. Borders of annools to hide unp7.ea.sant mews.--0f1stor oil plant, cul;-und-come-ugull sun- flower, zinnia, dwarf mar,igolds, B01'ders of perennials where white, bl1te, and pink colors are desil'ed.-Hollyhock, shustn. daisy, snnpdragon, scabiosQ., plntycodon, hardy lISoor, columbine, delphinilun, phlox, cante.r- bury bells, foxglovcs, violats, 64 HOrYI:EGARDENTNG l'OR CITY OIDLDREN. Borders of perennw.]-8 where white, yel7nw, and orange ere desil'ed.-Golden glow, gaillcrdiu, tulip, wallflowers, dahlia, oriental poppy, snapdragon, ])cony. muster of llerennials [or an ~80l{/,t(dcomer.-Light blue delphiniums and canary yellow columbine, followed by Into flowering phlox. Bordere of pere:nnials to hide unpleasant 11iews.-A background of shrubs ,,-itJl phlox, peony, and iris. Securing plants and l)lanting borders.-In ordering Bower seed for borders of special colors separate packages of seeds of these pur ticulnr colors should he ordered instead of mixed pack- ages of seeds. Like vegetable seed, flower seed should be purchased from reliable seed houses that make II. specialty of carefully selecting the seed plants. The eununl flowers should be started in hotbeds in February and transplanted into the border'S. in April, where they should be placed fax enough apart in tJle cluster to prevent crowd- ing. The low-growing plants used for the edges may be planted directly Into the border; in order to extend the flowering period late into the fall there should be two plantings of such flowers us aster. Tho:first planting in February in hotbeds, the second in July in seed beds. For care of plants in hotbeds see "Raising of vegetable plunts." Satisfactory plent,s of perennial flowers ce» he grown more cheaply than they can be purchased. There is also the advantage of having the plants on hand when they are needed. The seed of each variety should be planted in seed beds ill August nnd the plants transplanted in rD'VS 2; inches apart in cold frames in October. The plants should be teausplanted in clusters in the [lower border in Avril. For care of plants in tile cold :f:rIlIDCS sec "Raising of vegetable plcuts." M!tUy desirable bulbs can be secured Ilt a reesonable price if they nre purchased in qunntiby. Spring flowering bulbs should be planted in flower borders in November and January. Slim- mer flowering bulbs should be planted ill the flower borders from April to June. They should be planted to a depth of 4 inches. Like the plants, bulbs should be pleated in clusters through- out the entire length of the border. FLOWER DOlmER OALE:t-'DAR. February.--Sow in hotbeds seeds of annuals such as calendula, calliopsia, cornflower, larkspur, merigold, ainnies, stock, also seeds of perennials such us single delilla, snapdragon, verbena . .iI[a.rcn..-Plant peonies and day lilies ill flower border. Prone roses. Root cuttings of roses. Sow foxgloves in cold frame. April.-Prepare the soil in the Ilower borders. 'I'runaplaut with the Ilower borders the plants started in the hotbeds in February. Sow seed of low growing .uowers along edgo of borders. Plant summer flowering bulbs, glndiolus, cannal dahlias, lily. May.-Prune spring flowering shntbs after blossoms havo fllllen. Root cuttings of spring flowering shrubs. Plnnt glMliolas, dahlias. JU1W.-Transplant into rows in the vegetable garden the foxgloves started in the cold frames in Mnrch . •July.-PIIlDtin seed beds, seeds of aster nnd cosmos for lnte blooming. August.--8?W in. sccd. beds, soods of perenni?1s such as columbine, de1pllin..iums },lnty- j codons, coreopsls, g!IJllardHls, canterbury bells ofHmtnl POpPYI scabiosll.l shasta daisy, wall- j flower, and pansies. October.-Traospllillt pereunial flowers from seed beels into cold frames. November.-Plant spring noweri.ng bulbs, crocus daffodilsi llnd iris into nower borders. Mulch flower borders with well-rotted manure. <. :1"LOWEP. CRO'WING. 65 Care of the o01'ae1'.-Ulltil the plants nrc large enough to shade the soil and crowd out the weeds the borders should be hoed just as a vegetable garden is. To produce e brushy growth the tops of such plants as cosmos and wallflowers should be pinched out. In long periods of drought the borders should be watered thoroughly. Evening is tho best time to "later. All occasional thorough watering does more good than more frequent light sprinklings. To keep the borders attractive there should always be a supply of new plants to take the places of those that die, and of the annuals that have finished blooming. Likewise all flowers should be picked M soon as they fade in 0['(101'to stimulate fur-ther bloom, for when a plant produces 'l'hn jO)l or lInw~f811l the home depond~ opno tMlr artbtl<: ol'l'nngo,monl. seed its duty is accomplished and it dies. The bulbs should be removed after the Ioliago dies down, and new plants should be put in bbeir place. Every three years the flower borders should be spaded I well manured, and replanted. The clumps of perellilials can be divided to make new plants. OUTTINGS. Ilerbaeeovs plamts1 8Ua~ as geraniums and (,"(Lrnatw'1l8.-The cuttings should bo from 3 to 4 inches long, and should be selected from the vigorously growing side brenohca containing flower buds. The outting is severed (rom the plant by l\ smooth horizontal cut, made with n sharp knife, just below a left!. In bsrbeceous plants roots develop at the nodes, and lI.I1y portion of the stem laft below this point is nonfunctional and dcmlYS. To guard against too 66 HOME GARDENING FOR CITY CHILDREN. rapid transpiration, remove the lower leaves close to the stem and cut the upper leaves in halves. The cuttings should be kept in water until they are placed in the sand. Place the cuttings 2 to 3 inches deep, in rows, in flats filled with coarse sand free from organic matter. Press the sand closely around them. Never thrust the cuttings into the sand. The rows should be just far enough apart to keep the cuttings from touching. As far as possible plant but one variety of cuttings in a flat. The sand should be kept moist, not wet, and the cuttings shaded from the direct rays of the sun until a callus is formed and roots started on each, when they should be transferred to small pots. The cuttings grow faster if they are put in small pots at first and transferred to larger pots as the roots become crowded, instead of being put in large pots at the beginning. A good potting soil is made of one-third sand, one-third leaf mold, and one-third garden soil. (For the making of flats, see School Home-Garden Circular No. 6.) Rose cuttings.—Rose cuttings should contain about four buds and should be from 3 to 4 inches long. They should be selected from wood that is nearly matured. The lower cut should be made just under a bud and upper cut just above a bud. In preparing cuttings of woody plants the lower cut should be made as nearly horizontal as possible without splitting the stem. The thorns and lower leaves should be removed and the upper leaves cut in halves. The cuttings should be kept in water until they are placed in the frame to root. A frame of any desired length and breadth should be made. I t should be 1 foot high and placed over a pit 18 inches deep. Fill 3 inches deep with coal cinders, 2 inches with leaves, and 1 foot with soil made of equal parts of coarse sand and good garden soil. Pack the soil thoroughly; then add 4 inches of coarse sand, and water well. (For location and construction of frame, see " Raising vegetable plants.") The cuttings should be placed 2 to 3 inches deep in furrows made in the sand with a dibble. The sand should then be pressed firmly about them. Never thrust the cuttings into the sand. The rows need to be far enough apart to prevent the cuttings touching. The cuttings should be shaded in such a way as to insure ventilation, and the soil should be kept moist but not wet. The following spring, or possibly the same fall (depending upon the time the cuttings were made), they will need to be transplanted to a nursery row, where they should remain for one or two years, when the plants will be large enough to transplant to permanent places. Hardy shrubs, such as forsyihia, spiraea, grapes, dogwood, high-bush cranberry.—The cutting should be from 6 to 9 inohes long and should be selected from strong, healthy, mature wood of the current year's growth. The lower cut should be made just under a bud anc} the upper cut just above a bud. To prevent drying, the cuttings should be planted as soon as they are made. Prepare the soil thoroughly; make a V-shaped trench 6 to 9 inches deep; put 1 to 2 inches of sand in the bottom of the trench, and place the cuttings 3 inches apart against the side of the trench so that only the top one or two buds of each are above the ground. Put 1 to 2 inohes of sand around the base of the cuttings, then press the soil firmly about them. The cuttings should be rooted in a well-drained section of the garden where they will not inter- fere with the regular garden operations of the following year. In some locations a winter protection of leaves or coarse stable manure will be needed. Overprotection does more harm than good. The next fall the cuttings will be ready to move to a nursery row, where they should remain one or two years, when the plants will be large enough to transplant to perma- nent places. In sections of the North, where the soil freezes to a depth of 6 inches and over root the cuttings by placing them lower end up in a trench 18 inches deep. Pack sand closely around the cuttings and fill the remainder of the trench with soil. Then mulch with 1 to 2 feet of PLANNING .AND PLANTING FRONT YARDS. 67 straw. The following spring tmnsfer the outtings to a v-sbeped trench and proceed as described above. Pime to root cuttings.-Cuttings of herbaceous plants may be rooted at Ully time; cuttings of roses from June to October, depending upon the location; and cuttings of hardy shrubs any time from August La the following spring, after the wood bee matured. PLANNING AND PLANTING FRONT YARDS. Soventh grade, Project XI. The dey has passed when !1 shrub can be planted anywhere in the front yard. There is a particulnr place ior the ehrub 01' it is out of place. L. H. Bailey says: "Where to plant is really more important than what to plant." Aside from the ever-present necessity 01 neat and clean grounds, the attractiveness of the front yard is dependent upon three principles: (1) "Tying ' the house down to the ground with occasional shrubs and vines so placed that they will not crowd each ctber but will break the severe linea between the house and the lawn. (2) Choosing and arranging these shrubs with one, two, 01' three kinds as a besls. (3) Leaving the centers in lawns free of unnecessary walks, drives, pile." of stones, or pieces of sbatuury . .A home could be nrtrncoively piau ted with either of two groups of plente-c-those that a1'O not native and therefore must be purchased or grown from cuttings und those that are native and easily cveilnble. The native plants are to be preferred, since they not only decorate tho homo but attract the birds by providing shelter and food throughout the winter months. A suggestive list of tJM plants that ere not natiue is given herewith: Shrubs.-Abelia, althaea, barberry, deuteiu, forsythia, hydrangea, Japanese quince, dwarf euouymus, lilac, privet, roses, Spll·II.OIl, snowball, syringa, weigelie. Vines.-Boston iVYI clemenls, English ivy, wistaria, climbing roses, climbing eyouymus. TIle following list doee not begin to exhaust the desirable native plantl! of the SO'uth.---SimHul' li~tscould be made for other sections. Native Dora should be studied with this purpose in VIew. Sh1"ubs.-Azalell., arrowwood, black haw, coralberry, dogwood, elderberry, high-bush cranberry, indigo, Indian currant, laurel, rhododendron, sweet shrub, sheepberry, sweet pepper bush, wild rose, witcb-haeel. Vines.-Greonbricr, honeysuckle, trumpet 'vine, Virginia. creeper, wild grape, yellow jessamine. T,'ees.-Dog\,;rQod, hackberry, Hercules club, holly, red cedar, service berry, wild cherry, wild crab, fringe tree. Tro,ll-8pl,{l;nting.-Many shrubs are stunted by careless planting. The hole in which the shrub is to be placed should be deep enough so that good loam may be :filled in for the new roots to feed UpOll and the shrub plnoed at tho snme depth it was before. H should nlsc be wide enough for the roots to be well spread out. 'l'be shrub should be placed erect and the soil thoroughly packed erouod the roots. To balance the loss cf roote, hall of tbe branches should be removed I),t time of planting. Pruning.-The shrubs and vines used to beautify the home should require very little care or attenoion other thn.n the rernovul of old, dead, broken, or rubbing branches. Shrubs in the buck yard to be used as screens or to supply flowers should be pruned as follows: Spring [lowering shrubs, such us Ioraythia, should be pruned immediately alter bloom- ing. Summer and fall flowering shrubs, such as roses, should be severely pruned in the early • spring before the buds open. See "Pruning of flowering shrubs, vines, auf! mature trees." /' '> / /6's HOl\[E GAROHl\"'lNGFOR any REFEll.ENOES. CHILDREN. United States. Department of Agriculture. Fanners' Bulletins: 157. The Propagation of Plants. 181. Pruning. 185. Beautifying the Home Grounds. 195. Annual Flowering Plants. 494. Lawn Soils find Lawns. 750. Roses for the Home. THE LAWN. Seventh grade, Project }..\T. To make and maintain It good lawn requires experience and a money outlay. The lawn contributes so richly, however, to the attractiveness of It home that au eflort should be made to have one. Law-n yrasst!S.-Kentucky blue grnSSI red top, Bermuda grass, white clover, and Italian rye are used in lawn grllSSes. Mitchell, Philadelphia, Pa., George Tait & SOllS, Norfolk, Va., and T. W. Wood, Richmond, Vu., as well us many other reliable seed firms, have given yonTS of careful study to the production 0.£ lnwu mixtures for the South. In ordering the seed, state whether it is to be used for sunny or shady positions, or on terraces, und whether the lawn is. large 01' smell. The mixture will vary somewhat according to your epecial ueede. Carefully selected recleaned seeds are the most economical to buy although the original cost is greater. A bushel oI such seed should weigh 20 pounds. Preparation of the 8oil.-A lawn can not be made Or maintained in il, poorly prepared Boil. If the soil is poor, it should be improved by growing and turning under green manuring crops of cowpens and clover. It should also receive n, libernl dressing of well-rotted ml1.llure,.thnt is free of weed seeds. Tho manure should be used at the rate of It. two-horse Iond to every 30 square feet. In addition to the manure, bone meal should be applied at the rate of 1,000 pounds per acre. The soil should be deeply plowed or spaded, then thoroughly harrowed or raked. VVhen it is in the finest possible condition it should he carefully rolled until jt is per- fectly level. A top dressing of 2 inches or good loam should be added. Just before the seeds are 50\\"11 It high-grade conunerclal Iertilizer should be applied ut the rate of 500 pounds per acre. This should be thoroughly raked into the soil. No soil cun be Loa well prepared. Fresh manure contains too tunny weed seeds to be used in a lawn. Drainage is as necessary in the making of n good lawn f1·S in the making of a good garden. If the soil remnine wet alter fL ruin, it should be tile drained. The drains should be placed closer together and nearer the surface than Ior garden crops. A carefully prepared clay loam is all ideal soil for lawns. Plamting a:n.