The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1905-02-17
NEGLECTED VEGETABLES.


time for the making of early spring
gardens is at hand.
First among these crops, in adapti-
bility and possible returns, | would
place sweet, or sugar com. There is
no more delicious vegetable than
this distinctively American product.
During the long season OF its prime,
there is no article more regularly
demanded for the table. In no sec
ti0n is the demand for "roasting
ears" more insistant than in the
| south. Notwithstanding this fact.
| by far the larger part of the demand
| for this article in southern communi-
ties must be satisfied by the supply
of green ears OF common field corn.
The reasons usually given for this
condition, the Smaliness of the ears
of the sweet varieties, their suscepti-
bility to the attacks OF the bud-worm
and the comparative lack of sweet
ness of the southern grown sweet
corn, are wholly inadequate to eX-
plain the fact. There is no real rea-
son for any lack Of sweet corn in
either our domestic or our mark t
gardens. EARLY planting, and the
Of the standard varieties, place the
crop beyond the reach of the bud
worm There are numerous kinds
which develop ears larger than the
common field crop, and by procur-
ing seed from the north the lack of
sweetness is easily overcome.
The matter of selecting varieties is
of the utmost importance. First, be-
cause earliuess is vital to success.
Second, bectu many varieties en-
tirely cOmmendabIe in other local.
ties are wholly lacking in adapta-
bility to southern sections. For
market purposes only the earliest
kinds should be considered. For do
nestle use at least three varieties,
by means of which succession
which shall prolOng the season,
should beplanted.
For the former purpose kinds
which may be expected to give ears
large enough for use in six weeks
from the time Of planting should be
selected. There are several such.
we'll adapted to most localities. The
which is umquestionably fhe earliest
KNOW NdIltlN' / nave llOl lultlll TO be
adapted to Florida, and would not
include in the commoudable early
Ii t. The Cory, the Early Mime
sofa and KendalI's Early may be ac-
copied as standard. The first is the
earliest cOmnendable sweet corn.
The last is the largest cared of the
e nuinely early varieties For sec
nnd crops, the Crosby, Portland and
Evergreen are standard.
In planting it must be remembered
that the early sweet c0rns, like most
early vegetables, are distinctly
dwarf III habit. They will seldom
grow more than four feet tall under
the best conditions. Many varieties
mature well developed ears Oh stalks
less than three feet tall. The dis |
tance between rows aud hills should |
be proportional to this character of |
growth. Two and one half to three |
feet between rows, and two to two
and one half feet between hills are
the proper distances. Hill cultiva-
ton, with three or four stalks to the |
hill is preferable to drill planting |
Eally sweet corns are Hll prolific.
An average of nearly two ears per
stalk for every mature stalk in the
field may be reasonably counted on.
Earliness is the great d"Hidpratum.
This must first be secured by early
planting of early, northern grown
seed. Thorough preparation of the
ground is also essential. The matu-
'ity of the ears may be hastenrd
several days by assisting the fertili-
ling of the kernals. As soon as ripe
pollen appears on the tassels. pass
through the field and give each stalk
sharp blow with stick The re-
nlt viii be the falling Of shower
# pollen onto the silk of the ears
everal days sooner than if the act is
eft to the action Ut the breeZes or
he natural ripening and falling OF
he pollen. A week in time is not
gained in this manner.
his time may make all the differ |
nee between market uusupplied Z
nd one filled by the crops of your I
1t should be remembered that
outhern corn is naturally not so
wcet as the same variety grown H.
ne north, This explains the preemi-
ence of Maine as Il corn canning
actiOn. The disadvantage of To-
atty may be materially lesSened by
lie proper modification of the ferttli-
Pr application. Starch and sugar i