Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-01
this, new potatoes do not keep firm as
long after they have been washed as
they do without washing.

this, new potatoes do not keep firm as
long after they have been washed as
they do without washing.
Many gardeners complain that their
tomato plants, after producing the first
crop of fruits. yield no more, and
number of inquiries have reached the
editor of this column as to the reasons
for this and methods Of overcoming
the tendency. The reason is plain:
The plants which cease bearing have
exhausted the fertility Of the soil in
which they grow. and naturally can
produce no more. II the plants are fed
at regular intervals with a moderately
rich liquid manure they may be made
to continue in bearing until they are
cut down by frost. The liquid ferti-
izer. to be applied directly: to the
roots of the plants; pouring it into
hole an inch in diameter, punched three
or four inches deep and as close to the
roots as safety will permit: is good
way. 1t should be about the color OF
strong tea, and preferably should De
made from. old, black and we'll decayed
stable manure Tomatoes are gross
feeders. and unless they are supplied
with additional plant food in this man.
ner they will not bear after the first
setting of fruits is matured.
1t 1t is desired to produce the finest
sweet peas in abundance, try the fol-
lowing plan: Dig a trench as long az
desired. making it about two feet wide
and two feet deep. In the bottom place
layer of rocks. broken tiles. crock
cry, bricks and anything to permit
drainage. and over these materials
place a layer two or three inches deep
of lawn clippings, straw or similar
stuff. Mix with the earth when taken
out of the trench about third of its
bulk of fertilizer-either droppings
from the poultry houses or old stable
manure-and add to it all the wood
ashes possible. Mix all thoroughly and
return the soil to the trench after
having reduced it to the fneness OF
even if it does look very much like
an elongated grave, and permit ii to
stand during the fall and winter. II
de sired, the sweet pea seed may be
covering the seed to the depth of at
least eight inches-ten would be even
better. If this plan is not followed.
a little work very early in the spring
will put the soil in the trench in good
condition for planting. and the seed
may be sown by the LIST of March,
If the season permits. covering to the
depth of four or five inches. A trench
so made will produce the very finest
sweet peas possible, and the vines viii
remain in fine condition during the
entire summer if they are literally
watered at least every second day.
For a fall crop of turnips. ruta -bagas
or "swedes' as they are called in
the west-and carrots, make sowings
any time from now up to the first
week in August. The carrots and ruta-
bagas should be sown in shallow drills.
after the ground has been plowed and
narrowed deeply The turnips may be
sowu either in drills or broadcast, the
latter being the usual manner. In
either case cover the seed not more
than half an inch deep. An old farm
proverb says. in regard to the proper
time for sowing turnips: The twenty
fifth of July, wet or dry" but little
leeway doesn't hurt.