The Newark journal., 1922-03-09
WHEN AND HOW
 TO PLANT CROPS
U. S. Department of Agriculture Gives Advice to the Home
 Gardeners.
DIvIpED INTO FOUR GROUPS
First Vegetables That Will Withstand Frost; Second, Semi-Hardy Crops;
 Third, Those Easily Killed;
 Fourth, Aeat-Loving Plants.

Common garden crops are divided by the United States Department of Agriculture into four groups as re- gards the time Of planting them in the open ground.
 The first group includes the vege- tables that will withstand consider able frost and which may be planted two or three weeks before the danger of frost is past in the spring. The second group, or semi-hardy crops, may he planted n few days before, or about the time that the last killing frost is likely to occur. The third group, those easily killed by frost, should not be planted until all danger of frost is over. The fourth group. the heat-lov- Ing plants, should never be planted in tie open until both the soil and the air are thoroughly warm.
 Among the crops of the first group tEft may be planted before frests are paSt-are Irish potatoes, smooth peas, onion sets, cabbage plants, kale, tur- nips, beets. lettuce, and mustard. They may be planted early because they re- quire some time 10 come up. While the young plants are injured by frost, by the time they sprout and come to the surface, frost danger is likely to be past.
 Don't Follow Moon Rule.
 Some gardeners formerly believed in planting Irish potatoes and certain other garden crops according to the signs of the moon. No one seems to know how the old moon theory origi- hated, but it seems to date back to prehistoric times and probably was based upon the method of keeping time by moons rather than by months. There Is no definite experimental data to show that the moon has any iniiu- ence one way or the other upon plant growth, and experienced gardeners pre- fer to plant their potatoes at time when the weather and soil conditions are right rather than according to the phase of the moon. Experience has shown that the point of most impor- lance is 10 have the land in frst-class condition for planting, then proceed to plant as soon as weather conditions permit.
 The dwarf or smooth varieties Of English peas may be planted about the same time as Irish potatoes, or inst as soon as the ground is dry enough to work In the early spring. Here again soil preparation Is impor- tant. and the ground should be made fine and mellow before planting. Opinions differ as 10 the depth 10 which the seed peas should be GOV cred Some authorities claim they should be covered as much as inches, while others maintain that or inches Is sufficient Much will de- peiN, however. upon the character or lie soil in which the crop Is planter. If the soil is light sandy ioam anu inclined to dry out quickly, the peas should be covered 3 10 inches. But If the soil is rather heavy and inclined 10 pack closely. they should not ne covered more than to . inches. me varieties of peas having wrinkted sePo coats should not be planted until about two weeks after the smooth varieties. They are lust little more susceplib'e to injury from frost and Will mature about as carly If planted when me ground lias slightly warmed.
 v.'hen 10 Tax. Chances.
 In the case of certain garden crops,