The Arizona copper camp. [volume] (Ray, Ariz.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-02
LATER VEGETABLES
SHOULD Be PLANTED
DUR ING MARCH
BY Mrs. j. T. More.


The time is ripe to consider the
later vegetables which we have men
toned in preceding articles. These
require a quick, uninterrupted growth.
1t is true that they will grow if plant
ed early in the season, but they will
not thrive so we'll as when planted
later. To this class belong beans, to-
matoes, eggplant and peppers, also
the vine crops, squash, pumpkins and
cucumbers. All these seeds will pro-
duce satisfactory results if they are
not planted until March, preferably
the latter part.
Beans should be planted in rows,
10 inches apart for the brush variety.
Place seeds, with the "eyes" down,
in trench one to two inches deep
according to the amount of moisture
in the soil; soil should be warm to
promote rapid growth.
The seeds of tomatoes, eggplant
and peppers are small; place these
on the ground and cover with one
quarter of an inch of fine soil. Look
for the small tomato plant sto appear
in about a week; they are distinctly
hot weather vegetable and need no
protection from the summer sun. A
we'll protected southern exposure will
give them a good start. Cover the
small plants with glass-a jelly glass
will serve the purpose provides
protection from the cool nights, con-
serves moisture and intensifies the
heat of the sun. This simple method
of forcing may be practiced on all
young vegetables to advantage Toma-
toes do not require a rich soil and
grow we'll in heavy soils; save the
lighter soils for the vine crops. A
dozen we'll cared for plants will sup
ply the table throughout the summer,
furnish a small surplus to can, and
provide good quantity of green fruit
for pickles in the fall. A space of
three feet each way should be al
lowed between each plant. Perhaps
you have the seedlings started in
boxes-small plants may be purchas-
ed from seed houses; these may be
set out late in March; this is the
season between the rains and the
first hot days of April.
The culture and habits of eggplant
and peppers are similar to those OF
tomatoes Of the three, the eggplant
is the most sensitive and should be
planted last. Four plants will be. suf-
ficient for the family needs. The pep
per plant is especially attractive in
the hot weather with it's shiny foil
age: it requires little care and the
fruit lends a pleasing variety to the
diet. Eggplant, with a little atten-
ton to pruning, will continue to bear
until the killing frost in December.
The vine crops require light,
sandy soil for proper development;
they are usually planted in hills"
about four feet apart, rather than IN
rows. The "hills" are made by dig
cling hole about eighteen inches
deep and placing eight inches OF well
rotted manure in the bottom, on top
of which is placed soil well mixed
with manure to within two inches OF
the surface of the ground. On this
soil place six or eight seeds, press
down into the soil and cover with
half-inch of dirt, frming the whole
down. This will leave a slight de-
preston marking the "hill' that will
hold the moisture. The retentlve
quality is also intensified by the bed
of manure under the seeds.
May is the best month in which to
plant squash, casaba melons in June
and July. These late vine crops may
occupy the places formerly held by
peas or some of the early vegetables.
They require a great deal OF space.
If this is not available, the vines may
be trained over a fence.
The Assyrian or Italian summer
SQUASH is we'll suited to this climate
The fruit is light green in color and
averages ten inches in length by eight
inches in circumference and weighs
a pound or more. 1t is very prolific
and thrives in the heat.
The early vegetables may be plant
ed to advantage throughout March,
sometimes in April, depending on the
weather. Lettuce and radishes should
be sown every two or three weeks TO
insure a continuous supply. 1t is
very difficult to grow lettuce in May
or throughout the summer, SO pro-
vision should be made for this
Choose a shady, we'll protected spot
for late paintings.