The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-09

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seeds are preferred is shown by the fact
that the birds begin to eat them In
August, when grain is still readily OBJ
tainable. and continue feeding on them
even after insects become plentiful in
April
Growing Pepper Plants.
The conditions the pepper plant de-
mands for favorable development are
very similar to those OF the tomato,
except that when young the peppers
are more sensitive to cold, wet or un-
favorable conditions Of the SOIL Pep.
pers, like many other crops. bring the
best results when their growth is I'M
checked from the starting seed to the
ripened fruit Possibly the pepper Is
a little more sensitive to cold, hard,
ill-drained soil than many other plants,
as when the growth is checked often
very little fruit is borne by the plant.
Therefore, one of the essentials is
well-drained soil put in the best me-
chanical condition, and a delayed
planting until reasonably sure OF con-
slant warm weather with the least
possible danger from cold or wet. Like
the tomato, the plants may be propa-
gated by planting the seed In the field,
but better yield is usually obtained
where the plants are started in beds
or boxes and transplanted to the open
field. Often the profit on a pepper crop
is determined by the character of the
plants set.
Soil for the Seeded.
In preparing the soil to be put in the
seeded for starting the pepper plants
good mixture is made OF one-third
black garden soil, one-third well-rotted
manure and one-third coarse-grained
sand. These proportions, however.
vary with the character OF the soil,
whether heavy and compact or sandy;
IL the former, use less soil and more
sand; IL the latter, less sand. II the
manure is light, poorly rotted, take
pains to make the soil as light as pos
sible and use larger proportion. 1t is
important that the ingredients be we'll
mixed which can be best accomplished
| by throwing them into conical heap,
| shoveling this over and then passing 1t
through coarse sieve of about one
half-inch mesh. Carefully level about
two to three inches depth of this soil
| In a shallow box and water as thor
| oughly as possible without making 1t
| actually muddy. Let it stand for at
least an hour and then add about one
half inch of fresh soil. and in this
plant the seed either in drills about
one-quarter inch deep or scattered over
the surface and evenly covered with
| from one-quarter to one-half inch of
| fresh earth.
| If the box is to be exposed to the
sun it is well to cover with paper.
Care must be taken to remove this be-
fore the young plants appear, which
they should do in from seven to twelve
days. The box should be kept where
the temperature can be held as uni
formly as possible at go to 80 degrees.
1t might run higher in midday, but
termination win be checked in proper
ton as 1t runs lower. The young plants
il crowded become bleached and ten
der. Better pull and transplant, or
even throw away some of the seed
lings rather than have the whole plant
ing permanently injured. AS soon as
the central bud Is well developed the
seedlings should be transplanted, set
| ting them from one to three inches
apart. according to the size at which 1t
is planned they should go into the per-
manent place in the field.
The soil of the plant bed should not
become compact and hard. Keep 1t
friable so as to enable the plants to
be pulled for setting with the least pos
sibie injury to the roots. During the
termination of the seed and the
growth OF the young plants carefully
avoid overwhelming. Don't water I'M
less the plants show by tendency to
wilt that they need It; then give an
abundance. applying 1t In the morning
or evening rather than at midday. For
Ave or six days before transplanting
allow the beds TO become as dry as
possible without the plants whiting.
then, eight or twelve hours before the
plants are to go to the field give the
bed an abundant watering.
In order TO facilitate the gathering
OF the peppers with the least possible
injury TO the plants. II is advantageous
20 leave every fourth row vacant II
necessary. crowding the plants which
should go into the fourth with the
other three rows.
After setting the plants give the field
thorough cultivation. which should
be repeated as often us practical with.
out iniuripg the plants