Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1918 — HOW TO GROW [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOW TO GROW

ASPARAGUB.

This crop is one of the most enduring and satisfactory vegetables. It can be grown on almost any welldrained soil! but will do best on a deep sandy loam. There is little possibility of having the ground too rich, and liberal applications of partly rotted barnyard manure should be made before the plants are set. The seeds of asparagus may be sown during the spring in rows where the plants are to remain, and the seedlings thinned to stand 14 feet apart in rows. It Is usually more satisfactory to purchase two-year-old roots, as considerable time is saved in this way. As the asparagus bed is a permanent feature of the garden, it should be located accordingly. Before setting the plants the soil should be loosened very deeply, either by subsoil plowing or by deep spading. It is a good plan remove the top soil and spade manure Into the subsoil to a depth of 14 or 16 inches. The plants may be set in rows for horse cultivation or In beds. If in rows they should be set 14 inches apart, with the rows 3% feet apart. If in beds, one foot apart each way Is the proper distance to set the plants. In setting the plants the crowns should be covered 4 or 5 inches deep. In the North the plants should receive a mulch of 4 or 5 Inches of manure in winter. In the South the mulch is not necessary, but the plants should receive a coat of manure or an application of fertilizer, preferably in autumn. No shoots should be removed during the first year the plants are set in the permanent bed, and the period of cutting should be short during the second year.

LIMA BEANS.

Lima beans should not be planted antil the ground is thoroughly warmed up, as they are a heat-loving crop and the seed will rot if planted when the ground is cold. Most gardeners prefer the pole varieties, as they yield better than the bush varieties and are superior to the bush varieties in many other respects. One marked advantage of the pole beans is that they may be planted around the fence, utilizing the fence as a support for the vines. In this manner a crop of beans can be secured with the use of a minimum amount of spacing. When planted in rows in the garden, pole lima beans are usually planted in hills 3 to 4 feet apart and supported on poles or a string and wire trellis. —i The bush limas are usually drilled In rows some 3% feet apart for horse cultivation, or slightly closer for hand cultivation. The lima beans are a full Beason crop, that is, they occupy the ground for the entire growing season, and a sufficient amount should be planted to provide for the needs of the family for the entire season. Any surplus not used green may be allowed to dry on the vines, picked and stored for winter use. Lima beans constitute one of the most satisfactory crops for growing for winter’s use, as the only care necessary to save them is to pick the ripe pods, dry them thoroughly and shell the beans. In the northern portion of the country where lima beans do not thrive, pole beans of the Lazy Wife variety will give satisfaction.

RADISHES. The radish is quite hardy and may be grown throughout the winter in the middle section of the United States. In many portions of the South it is possible to grow it in i "the open ground throughout the winter. For the home garden the seed should be sown in the open ground about the time of the last killing frost. The seed should be sown in drills at a convenient distance for cultivation, usually about' 18 inches. To be of good quality, radishes must be grown quickly in rich soil, and be used a* soon as of sufficient size. Successive plantings should be made every few days until the weather becomes warm. They will not withstand hot weather and are suited to early spring and late autumn planting. There are autumn varieties of radishes which may be grown late in the season and stored for winter qse the same as beets or turnips. A few of these will add variety to the winter supply of vegetables.-

BRUSBELS SPROUTS. Brussels sprouts are closely related to cabbage and cauliflower, and may fee grown in very much the same manner. The seed may be started in the window box or in the hotbed and transplanted to the garden when the ground is in condition to work. Instead of a single head, Brussels sprouts produce a large, number of small heads, these 'heads being formed in the axils of the leaves. If the heads become too crowded, the leaves >diould be broken qff so as to give the heads more room] However, a few leaves should always be left In the •op of the stem where the new heads

are being formed. Brussels sprout* are more hardy than cabbage and In many sections may bp planted In the fall. They should be set in rows 30 to 36 Inches apart if for horse cultivation. The plants should be set from 20 to 24 inches apart in the rows, j Brussels sprouts may be stored for 1 winter use in much the same way as ; cabbage. The best method is to take up the plants, pack them closely together in a trench, covering them with straw or other litter to protect them from freezing and thawing.

KOHL-RABI.

The edible portion of the kohl-rabl is the thickened stem. It is closely related to cabbage and cauliflower. It should be started in the hotbed or window box and set in the open ground about the time of the last frost. The method of planting and the cultivation is similar to that practiced for cabbage. It can be planted in the open at the same time. Early sowings are made, and if thinned to 4 to 6 Inches apart the plants will soon ■ grow to edible size under favorable weather conditions. This plant should receive much more consideration, than usually is given it. It is really a poor man’s cauliflower.

COLLARDS.

The culture and uses of collards are the same as for cabbage. The plants should be started in very early spring and set out as soon as the ground is in condition. They withstand the heat better than cabbage and are much used in' the southern portion of the country. Collards do not form a true head, but Instead a loose rosette of leaves, which,« when blanched, are very tender and of delicate flavor. No southern garden is complete without this plant. Too often, however, it has constituted the sum total in the shape of garden supplies. Use it, but don’t abuse it.

PARSLEY.

The seeds of parsley should be soaked for a few hours before planting to insure germination. They are slow in germinating and should be handled very carefully. After one or two transplantings they should be set iq the open ground in rows 12 to 18 inches apart and 3 to 4 inches apart in the rows as early as the soil can be put in condition. A small area devoted to this crop will be sufficient for the average family. It is used as a garnishing and for flavoring soups. Keep a little of It growing at all times. It gives a pleasing touch to many dainty dishes.-

PEPPERS.

Plant the seeds of peppers ih the hotbed about six weeks to two months before time to set them in the open ground. They should be transplanted at least once and should not be set In the open until the ground is thoroughly warm. When grown in the garden the large bull-nosed types should be placed in rows 3 feet apart with the plants from 15 to 17 inches apart in rows. Frequent shallow cultivation should be given, and the plants will continue to bear until frost kills them.