is garden. He knows quite well, as a general thing, what kinds he wants to grow, but when he comes to a consultation of the seedsmen

self of the very thing from which he would obtain the highest degree of satisfaction. Nine times out of ten he finds, after going through the catalogues and

rious seed firms, that there are described in most of them certain varieties of each kind of vegetable that seem common to all, along with many other varieties whose names differ greatly, though the descriptions of them indicate that there is not much difference in quality, or in other general respects. If he confines his selection to suc

y have other varieties of the same vegetable of which each makes a specialty, under names which will be found in no catalogue but their own. Many of these are doubtless possessors of all the good qualities claimed for them, but this we cannot be

pose to give with each such brief cultural directions as seem of most importance, thus making it possible for the amateur to avoid some of the mistakes that might be made if he were wholly ignorant of the requirements of his plants. After having experimented with many kinds I have pinned my faith to the kinds I

ara

es on the market in such a degree as to give it a place at the head of the list of desirable kinds for ordinary garden culture. It is tender, fine-flav

inds of neglect and abuse, it must be given plenty of strong food and good care in order to enable it to do itself justice. I would not advise attempting to grow it from seed, as it takes a long time for seedling plants to reach maturity. I would get two- or three-year-old plants. Set them about eighteen inches apart and at least four inches below the surface. Keep weeds and grass away from them. Give the asparagus-bed a place in the ga

e

d is very tender, fine-flavored, and productiv

ed variety mentioned above. It is valua

feet apart, and about four inches apart in the row, or in hills of three or four plants each. Cultivate frequently during

uttery flavor. This class supplies the table with shelled beans only, its pods being too tough to use as a string-bean. Pl

e

t as an early variety. It is remarkably tender, and has a sugary flavor that is most delicious. As a second variety I would advise Crimson Globe. This is very sweet

and use the surplus plants as greens while young and tender, ma

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ther kinds which the housewife will find more useful. The plants should stand at least two feet apart. Seed can be put into the ground about the first

d. For late use Late Drumhead or Stone Mason Marblehead

f their development. Spray with an infusion of the tobacco extract known as Nicoticide. Th

with the large leaves folded well together. Then cover with three or four inches of hay, and bank up with soil. Put a board over this to shed rain. The cabbage will freeze, but if left in the ground until the frost is gradually extracted from it it will be found cr

lif

Cultivate as you would cabbage. For early use the plants should be started in the hotbed, and transplanted to the cold-frame as soon as they have made their third leaves. Put into the open ground as soon

ing the pickling season, start

warf Erfurt. Autumn Giant i

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this plant a place in their gardens, but it richly deserves a place there because of its value as an article of food, as well as because of its health-giving qualities. It adds greatly to the variety of the bill of fa

le

width each side the row, allowing an opening about three inches wide at the top through which the plants can get a little light. For late and winter use, sow the seeds in open ground in May. Bleach by earthing up gradually, as the stalks develop, until you hav

and all, and pack close together in b

ry winter variety, but Winter Queen is a favorite with many. Both are so tender and

cu

es of sod placed grass-side down. This enables one to move them from the hotbed without any disturbance of their roots. The cucumber- or squash-beetle often destroys the plants when they are put in the open ground if close watch is not taken and prompt effort made to rout the enemy. Spray

nely flavored cucumber. Ever-bearing is an excellent sort for pickling as well as for

o

ce to two or three varieties of it. Because of its tall growth and the distance required between rows it is not adapted to culture in the very

inches in length, but what they lack in size

medium variety, very te

, sugary sweetness, and rich flavor. It does not come to maturity until quite late in the

seed often decays if put into the ground as early as field-corn. Have the soil rich and mellow, and cultivate f

di

When the plants are two or three inches high transplant to rich soil, setting them about ten inches apart. When nearly full-grown, gather the leaves together and tie them with strips of cloth, thus excluding the light from

tt

the ground becomes warm. Very fine lettuce, however, can be grown from seed sown directly in the open ground about the first of May, if the soil is warm and rich. A fertile

d head, and is very crisp and tender, with that rich, buttery flavor that the lover

lo

quite equal to them in delicacy of flavor and luscious sweetness. They require a light, rich soil. Plant when the ground is warm, and not before, in hills four feet apart. It is a good plan to put a generous quantity of manure from the henhouse in each hill, working it well into the soil before seed is planted. Put

llow flesh, is smooth-grained, is very sweet, has a most delicious flavor, and is so t

Mammoth Ironclad grows to a very large size, is solid

n

andy soil, if possible, as it s

erskin has a mild flavor, and on that account it is a favorite

rs

e for winter use. The cellar window is a good place for them. Every housewife who prides herself on the attractive appearance of her roasts and other meat dishes and many kinds of salad will not be willing to be witho

rs

hange from other vegetables. It is an excellent keeper when stored in the cellar in winter. Or the roots can be left in the ground until s

e

ieties that come into bearing a few weeks after sowing, followed by medium early kinds, which give place, a little

le during the greater part of the season, with possibly the exception of the very hottest part of summer. Best results are secured

suit this plant better than anything else. If the vines are allowed to crinkle down and come in contact with the ground the

edium variety. Telephone is a most excellent late variety, second only to Champion of England, which is ever

ta

it must receive more attention than is generally given it. It must have a

ture. But when space will admit of it it should always be grown, because it is one of the garden products tha

ye" or growing-point. The pieces should be planted in hills, four or five p

appearance. Then use Paris green, either in infusion, or mixed with land-plaster, and applied in a dry state while the plants are moist from dew. If any fungous disease is discovere

ks from planting. Early Rose is everywhere a favorite, as is Early Ohio. Rural New-Yorker is a standard late variety. Burbank's Seedling is

di

, though of course not as early in the season. A crop will develop in five or six weeks from sowing. Plant at intervals of two or three weeks for a succession. Cardinal Globe is the standard early variety. Crimson Giant is a little later. B

ub

permanent beds, about three feet apart. I would not advise attempting to gro

ls

t has a distinct oyster flavor. Many persons prefer it to the bivalve, when it is cooked properly. Being hardy, it can be left i

ua

equire a rich soil. They should be planted in hills about three feet apart. Have the soil rich. Keep watch of them, for they are liable to attacks from beetles. It

in

condition. Have the soil quite rich to force a tender, succulent growth. Sow for suc

ma

ot put into the open ground until all danger from frost is over. If you are without hotbed facilities I would advise purchasing plants from the gardener, who tries to supply his customers with strong and healthy plants very early in the season. Plants from seed