Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-06-05
FARM AND FAMILY GARDENS.

The Native American race is one of meat
eaters, and our clrnivorous propensities are
quickly adopted by citizens whom we adopt.
There is no reason why they should accept
our vices with their naturalization, and there
is every reason why we should engraft their
virtues upon the Native American stock.
Germans, French, Italians, and Swedes, are
all famous for having good vegetable gardens,
The majority OF our best gardeners are
English and Scotch, and s0us Of Erin set up
for gardeners even before they have had
time to shuttle off the Old Country brogans
If the good wife knows how to use vegeta-
bles, she win accomplish a great saving Of
meats, both fresh and salt, and the meals viii
be much better relished and more healthful
If she does not know, there is the more
necessity for providing an abundance of all
sorts Of delicious vegetables to put her up to
doirg her part well. At all events, then,
plant garden-giye it the best manure, well
rotted, and plenty of it. Put it on three
inches thick, and spade. fork, or plow it in.
1t will not make big hole in the manure
pile unless one sets out to raise vegetables
enough for all the neighborhood, which
might pay very well. 1t is not too late to
begin gardening early in May, though April
Is the proper time 20 lay out, manure, and
plow, to say the least. Those who begin
now may with very little more labor and
the use Of liquid manure have their tables
supplied quite as eally as many whose gar
dens were planted month earlier. Garry
good farm practice into the garden, and use
good garden practice upon the farm. AS a
rule, short rows are a nuisance. A twelve
or sixteen foot board Is frequently used in
sowing the seed. and its length may some
times determine the width Of the beds and
length OF the rows. The use Of the board is
twoiold-as guide to the rake stale in mark
ing the drill IN which the seed is to be sown,
and as walk while sowing and covering by
hand. Of course, it is not used when a seed
drill is employed. The secret of good gar
dening is thorough tillage combined with
clean culture and high manuring. This can
not be II the soil is wet, and it can hardly be
the hrst year, if the soil is very stiff clay,
drst brought under culture, but almost any
other ground may sustain a fine garden if la
Dor and manure be uugrudgingIy applied at
first. The amount of labor is really no tax,
II the garden only gets the odd minutes which
might otherwise be lost. The women of the
family, from the wife to Bridget or Dinah,
VII. reJo'oe m an occasional opportunity to
gather up their dimity and do little wedding.
Bridget and Katharine will probably show
unusual aptness at hoeing cabbages, cauli-
flowers, and Kale. Only take little pride
IN starting the garden well, and the result
will be favorable; for the excellence of its
products, as soon as lettuce, early beets,
green peas, and little sweet carrots, make
their appearance on the table. will supply a
motive to dilgent continuance in we'll doing.
The Hints about Work in the Garden, on the
third and fourth page Of every number of the
AgTaeitLartst, are fresh every month, and
constitute safe guide foy either the novice
or The experienced gardener-Aneyioan Ag-
Ttealiuria.