The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-04-17


In the question of how to plant generally
lies the secret of failure Or success. II the
soil be but impertcctly prepared the crops
will tell the tale, no matter how favorable the
season may be We find it, therefore, of the
most importance that the ground be worked
over until it Is fine loose; the clods or Jumps
need thorough breaking IN and the earth
made mellow for a good depth so that nc
warmth may penetrate, and also that the III
tic seeds may find tit place for their almost
invisible roots.
Radishes, onions, bects, carrots, parsnlpS
cabbage and celery: The seed should be
sown in rows fifteen inchest apart, and about
ten seeds TO the foot Lettuce may be soWn
in rows IN like manner, or on border ana
more thickly. If plants from cold frame or
hot-bed are at hand plant them III rows nj
teen inches apart and one foot distant III the
row, and give plenty of good manure, Tor let
tuce needs to be grown quickly in order 10
have it really tender Onions or sets should
be planted in rows fifteen inches distant and
at two inches apart in the row; If seed, SOW
in rows as above about one dozen plump
seeds to the foot and n large number If the
seed be light or of doubtful vitality. Sow
spinach same as onion seed. Sow peas in
rows three feet apart and one quart of seed
to each 100. Plant potatoes IN rows three
feet distant, nine inches apart to the row,
Reans-if of the bush order-should be drill.
ed IN rows about three feet distant, and three
or four seeds to the foot in the row; if of the
kind requiring poles they should be planted
IN hills three feet apart, five or six beans to
each hill For early cabbage, If plants be at
hand let them be put out as early as possible
twenty inches apart in the row and rows
thirty inchest apart If seed only be ayaila-
-, 4 4
above when the plants gets into its sixth
leaf. Beets should be sown III same manner
as spinach, and thinned out to three inches
apart IN row. Carrots and parspips same as
bcets Parsley and celery must be sown
early like lettuce, and celery will need trans.
planting in July in rows mot trenches) about
four feet apart, two plants to the foot. Plant
cucumbers in rows four feet apart, and four
or five seeds to the foot, not letting more than
one plant remain to each foot in the row.
Plant melons and squashes same as cucum.
beers.
Tomato seed should be Sown under glass
early or outdoors As soon as frost is oyer;
and when plants are in sixth leaf or still fur
ther advanced transplant in rows three feet
apart each way Treat peppers in the same
way, only set them two feet apart. Plant
seed-corn in rows three feet distant and two
or three grains to the foot This crop should
be planted at intervals of about two weeks
until three or four paintings are made, so the
season of its usefulness may be well extend
ed. Late cabbage seed should be sown in
rows about fifteen inches apart and two dozen
seed, to the loot-about the middle of May
will do-and transplant early In July, in rows
threet feet apart one way by two and half
the other. Cucumbers for pickles should be
planted about July l, and turnips sown either
in rows fifteen inches distant and a dozen
seeds to the foot, or Notwithstanding how
ever, not more than two or taree plants to the
square foot Herb seed, as parsley or celery
may be SOwn and transpanted about July |,
IN rows two feet apart one way and one foot
the other.
In ;ransplanting anything select "A damp
air if possible, or perform the same at night
fall and or fresh upturned soil. Sow seed
always in dry ground. Cover lightly If seed
is small, but deep If in quite dry ground,
Melons, squashes, beans, tomatoes, sweet corn,
cucumbers and peppers are really tender
plants and must net be either sOwn or plant
ed If cold nights still ocCur. In preparing
the ground for seed bed, or for planting, |
would recommend the use of drag instead
of a harrow. A drag will level the ground,
leaving it smooth, and breaks up Jumps bet
ter than the borrow II is easily constructed
of plank or stick Of old timber or a fence
rail-ten or twelve feet is long enough-and
fasten the draft-chains at the ends.
BE sure to use plenty OF the best manure
available, and | advise the application of
some part of the manure upon the surface
after the crop is planted. When applied in
!, this manner it acts beneticially to hold the
moisture in dry time, and to aid in keeping
the surface open and loose when it tends TO a
crust from beating rains and sudden changes
to baking sunshine. Spinach lettuce and
cabbage seeds may be sown in early Septem-
ber to winter over under protection of glass
and other covering. Radlshcs, peas, sweet
corn, cabbage, etc, may be made doubly use
full by including early and late varctles-A.
! Il & In EnllntrN GEntlelnnN.