New Iberia Enterprise And Independent Observer

OCTOBER WORK IN GARDENS.

The ground ought to be occupied with all varieties of fall and winter vegetables. Unfortunately the month of August and September have been unfavorable. August was hot and dry. Seeds sown would not germinate and the latter part of September had too much rain. However all varieties of seeds sown in September can be sown again. Onion seeds can be sown until the 15th of October. After that time sow in drills 18 inches apart. Let the plants remain where they are. Do not transplant. Continue to set out shallots and Creole onion sets. Also artichoke plants, that is the suckers or sprouts. Set them 2 feet distant in row 4 feet apart. Transplant cabbage and lettuce. Put out the plants as soon as possible so they will have a chance to head before cold weather sets in. All varieties of early cabbage can be sown such as the Jersey Wakefield, Early Flat Dutch, Early Henderson and All Season Succession. It is better to sow the early sorts as they will head sooner. It would be well to sow the seed where they are to remain. Have the ground prepared stretch lines three feet apart. Drop a few seeds every 18 inches distant in line. When plants are about one month old, thin out to one plant, those that have been pulled can be transplanted elsewhere. Sow lettuce, white cabbage. Big Boston, St. Louis Market. Endive Spinach. Turnip Mustard Beets, Swiss Chard, Carrot Leek, Parsley, Rouquette, Kohl Rabi, Radish, Parsnips, Salsify. We would call the attention of families having gardens to two varieties of vegetables we seldom see in our market. Salsify and Parsnips. Why not try them? They are cultivated the same as carrots, and no more trouble. To plant salsify, have the ground spaded deep. chopped and level. Sow in drills about 12 inches apart 1 inch deep. Drop one seed every two inches when up, if too thick thin out. Leave one plant every four inches. Cultivate same as carrots. We still hear complaints of lettuce seeds not coming up. It is the same old complaint-sowing seeds in the month of August in the open ground in the heat of the sun and near ant hills. It is difficult for lettuce seeds to come up sown at this time of the year unless previously sprouted. We will again give direction for sowing lettuce seeds for August and September. If a large quantity is needed, and to be sown in open ground, soak the seeds for about an hour, take the seeds out, spread in a piece of damp cloth, tie them up, put in a cool place for two or three days until the seeds begin to sprout. Make the seed bed about 2 1/2 feet wide and as long as necessary for the quantity of seeds to be sown. Sow the seeds evenly, not too thick; water with a sprinkler; cover the seeds with pulverized dirt. use the hand or coarse sieve; shade the bed with sacks or boards during the day; uncover at night, in two or three days seeds will be up uncover; water when necessary until ready to transplant. Another way is to get a box, fill it with soil; see that there are no ants taken up with the dirt. However, to be positive scald the dirt with hot water. When cold sow the seeds. The box should be put in a cool place. Shade until seeds come up; also elevated from the ground about three feet, to keep ants off. By observing the above directions the chances are you will succeed in raising lettuce plants. During the month of October lettuce seeds can be sown in the open ground in drills about 15 inches apart. Plants are allowed to remain where they are. If too thick thin out. The last two months the weather has been very unfavorable for turnip and cabbage. The dry weather and insects have destroyed several sowings. We are now having rains. Cool weather will soon set in. If cabbage and lettuce plants are not already set out, hurry and get them out as soon as you can, so they will have a chance to head before the freeze catches them.