The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-01-29
ORCHARD AND GARDEN WORK
FOR THIS WEEK AND NEXT

attention to his orchard and garden
than to his most paying field crop?
No!
, Fall is the best time to plant sweet
peas in Ae South, but they do we'll
if planted during mid-winter. There
fore as<soon as the weather and
soil permit, put in a row of this de-
lightful spring flower.
In the early part of January it
was suggested that garden peas be
planted in the coastal section. They
may now be planted during the first
good weather in all parts of the
South except the mountain section.
. The Alaska and other round-seeded
varieties should be used for planting
at this time.
Do not set out fruit trees hastily
before the land for the orchard is
thoroughly prepared. It is better to
allow them to remain "heeled in"
all winter than to attempt to trans
plant them to wet or unbroken
ground. No amount of attention
given tree in later years will make
up for improper handling during it's
early life in the orchard.
Sow at once in the hotbed seed of
! the Extra Early Egyptian variety of
!, beet. The plants can be toughtened
and transplanted to the garden be-
fore frosts are over and they will
make beets ready for use three or
four weeks ahead of seed sowed in
the open ground. Beet plants trans
plant readily during early spring
while the weather is cool.
~ Secure seed Irish potatoes of the
Red Bliss, Early Rose or other early
maturing varieties. A good variety
& fer the main crop is the Irish Cob
sbler. and it might also be ordered at
this time. A big crop of Irish pota-
I toes should be planted this spring,
as it will not be difficult to sell all
{ that are not needed for home use.
1t is possible to have good early
spring garden only by utilizing the
hotbed and cold frame in starting
vegetables that transplant readily,
such as cabbage, cauliflower, Brus
sells sprouts, beets, lettuce, eggplant
pepper, and tomatoes. Even soft
stemmed plants like beans and Gu
cumbers can be transplanted with
proper handling, and this will be con-
/ }sidered when the time is nearer for
planting.
Watch the hotbeds as to watering
and ventilation. Water in the morn
! ing in order that the foliage of the
plants may have time to dry before
night and apply sufficient quantity
7 to wet the soil thoroughly rather
than smaller amounts at more fire.
auent intervals. Ventilate every day
unless it is cloudy and very cold.
/ The lack of proper ventilation will
cause weak, spindling plants and
they will be more subject to disease.
s While the numerous 'bugs" and
plant diseases that wage war on
crops during spring and summer are
in winter quarters, let us order guns
in the form of spray pumps ana
ammunition in the form of spray
material and be ready when warm
weather comes to meet these marau-
Eders. "Prepare for war in time of
/. peace" is good motto for the far
rer in dealing with these ever pres
ent enemies of garden, orchard, and
field crop.
There is man in my neighbor-
hood who has on hand Irish potatoes
of the Red Bliss variety from last
springs crop. He kept them during
the summer spread out thinly under
q barn and when winter came on
placed them in a cellar. Let us keep
in mind the practice of this farmer
and save our own seed potatoes ev-
cry year. 1t is unnecessary as we'll
, as expensive for any one in the
South to have to buy seed Irish po-
tatoes. 1t is a good time now to
stop this bad habit.-F. j. Crider: