The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1913-05-30


drainage under three inches Of soil,
make fine beds for the tiny seedlings
when first transplanted. These deep
er ones also make good trays in which
to set thumb pots, il these are used,
as the soil, sand. or whatever is used
around them may be kept moist, and
so keep the soil in the pots from dry
ing out by evaporation.
Fill the fiat; dampen the soil; press
1t down firm and smooth, and set
aside until the next day before sowing
the seed. Warmth preferably bot
tom heat) and slightly moist bed
are the only essentials for seed germ
ination, but as soon as the little plant
lets are developed, they need plenty
Of light, though not wilting-hot sun
light, until they get stronger. II the
plantlets come up badly crowded, pull
up few, as crowding, next to over
watering, is the most common cause
of "damping off" Transplant as Of
ten as is necessary to keep the plants
strong and stocky, until they can be
planted out. Usually, a couple of
times is sufficient, but If the seeds
were sown very early, or the season
proves cold and backward. third
shift my be needed; but my word for
1t, the final results will pay we'll for
the trouble.
When the time comes to put the
plants in the beds, be sure that the
soil is well raked, free of Jumps and
stones; make the holes or trenches;
fill water into them, and then set the
plants with as little disturbance of the
roots as possible. Bring the wet
earth around the ball of roots, and
then draw mulch of dry soil over it.
The dry soil holds the moisture under
it, and when treated in this way, the
plants rarely need shading, especially
if the transplanting can be done to-
wards evening.
BY the time 1t Is safe to set the
plants out the first crop Of bugs will
be found ready and waiting for them.
The experienced gardener is expect
ing them, and has put in supply of
ammunition, and has the guns loaded
ready for the fight, realizing that the
ounce of prevention Is worth pounds
Of cure. Order supply of insecti-
cides with the seeds, for there is abb
solutely no chance of their not being
needed.
If striped beetles attack the cucum-
Der and other vines, and no other
remedy is at hand, sprinkle the plants
and the soil all around with pepper
mixed with flour or fine dust. 1t Is
wiser plan to use the remedy before
the enemy appears. When plants wilt
down without apparent cause, exam
inc the roots of few and see If blue
or black aphis can be found. II so,
make a strong tobacco tea and pour
around the plants until the soil Is
soaking wet to the depth of the long
est root. After a day or two make
another examination, and il found
necessary, give another dose Of the
tea.
Cut-worms are quickly located by
the work they do, and are easily
found by digging around the stalk of
the injured plants. The big, greasy
things are about the color of the soil,
but one looking for them will not miss
them. If hunting and killing is too
tedious, then soak the ground with
kerosene emulsion. Early morning is
the best time to hunt them, as they go
deeper into the soil during the day.
When weeds have been fought all
summer, it is poor policy to stop
and let them run riot to fill the soil
with seeds to be fought the next year.
When the last table crop has matured
and been used, rake the soil level and
SOW COW peas, turnips, rye or any
thing that can be turned under in the
spring and be help to the solitary
thing to crowd out weeds.
Moisture Is another consideration
with the gardener but the soil that
is we'll underlaid with fertilizer will
Withstand a dry spell" that would
ruin a poor, dry one; for plants groT'
ing in it strike their roots deeply, and
so draw their supply from deeper
down. When the hot, dry days OF
midsummer come, stirring the surface
soil frequently prevents evaporation,
and saves the moisture in the soil for
the plants.
Grass clipping or similar stun
spread as a mulch will serve the same
purpose. but II the time comes when
the applying of water is positively
necessary, don't, as you value the gar
den. do any shallow watering. Give
each row a soaking, or let 1t alone,
for the surface watering that calls
the roots near to the top Of the soil
is worse than none at all
Have plenty OF tools and keep them
all together II regulation tools are
not easy to work with. think out some
thing that will be more So
Copyright. 1914 shults Syndicate Press)