Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-03-06
GARDEN LECTURE
BY PROF. D. ". ANSPON
Fourth of Series At The Old SEN.
ate Chamber
SOME METHODS USED
How To Hasten The Harvest Bv MANY
Weeks Fifth Lecture
Tomorrow

Pror. AnspOn gave valuable instruc-
ton in the fourth lecture OF the Home
Garden Series last Thursday on the
subject of getting an early start with
the garden.
Several methods may be used to ad-
vantage to hasten the harvest by
many weeks.
The first method described was the
starting of seeds in flats. A fiat is a
box about 4 inches deep and u by %
inches. The bottom is in stats, IL
inches long, not set very tight to-
gether, but leaving a small crack be-
tween. Cinder or litter, 1 inch deep is
put in first. Rich garden soil with
much decayed humus, sifted very fine,
is packed in and quite tightly ram
med around the edges. The soil is
leyeled and rows, 2 inches apart,
marked The seeds are planted IA
inches deep and are watered daily, but
so carefully as not to wash out or
scatter and mix the seeds.
When sprouted the plants must re-
ceive sunlight. Put the fat in a win
dow but do not let air blow directly
on the plants even if the day is par
ticularly balmy spring day.
Flats must be turned around every
few days to keep the plants straight
When plants are l inch high begin to
transplant them to other flats or to
sheltered outdoor spots Plant 2
inches apart each way. When finally
planted in their location in the gar
den for the crop to mature do not dis
card long spindly plants, but bend
them, burying most of the stem hori-
of the row with the top bending
up and projecting from the soil. New
roots will start out all along the
buried part of the stem. Plants twice
transplanted as described have bet
ter root system than those not trans
planted or transplanted only once.
When first put out to harden after
the first transplanting the plants must
be protected at night and given air
gradually until they become used to
outside conditions.
The second method described by
Prof. Anspon was the use of hot beds.
The frame is usually by 3 feet and
quite deep. 1t is set-1S inches above
the ground at the north end and II
inches at the south end. A sash with
double glass saves much labor in COW
ering over with mats at night. The
fresh manure must be worked and the
thermometer watched. Only when a
steady temperature of from so to 50
degrees is reached should seeds be
planted.
The third method described was the
cold frame In this climate it is near
ly as effective as the hot bed
In addition to getting an early
start by the flats, hot bed and cold
frame, do not fail to start crops out
side as soon as soil is dry enough to
work properly. 1t must not form
compact ball when squeezed in the
hand but must fall apart again.
At about March 18th plant peas,
beets, etc.
Discussing previous lectures, Prof.
Anspon stated that lime on the soil
is supposed to last about ) years. If
a garden has a spot with only hours
sun per day use it for lettuce, kale
and chard. Most crops will thrive if
they get s hours sun.
If plant is not vigorous use
quick fertilizer like nitrate of soda in
solution. teaspoonful to a gallon Of
water.
The next lecture tomorrow will
be on What to Plant and How"