Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1870-07-22
SUMMER CARE OF GARDENS.

SUMMER CARE OF GARDENS
WE premise that every farm has its
garden, for the reason that portion
of farm can in no other way be put
to so profitable use. Even a small !
garden, but indifcrcn!ly titled, will !
enable the good housewife to furnish |
many q savory meal that cannot 9th
crwise be so readily and economically |
obtained. With early lettuce, radishcs,
peas, beans, cucumbers, spinach, to-
matoes, turnips and cabbage, to say
nothing of the small fruits, every far
mer may have a supply of fresh vege-
tables,-luxuyies which to the dweller
of the cities, are almost unknown.
These are not to be had without q
good share of care and labor. Plant
ing and early culture usually receive
fare share Of attention, after which,
with majority of farmers, the garden
suffers from neglect, materially cur
failing its usefulness.
The little labor given to 1t is usually
done on rainy day, or in early
morning, while everything is wet with
dew. This, in many respects, is poor
economy. Vegetables are injured by
working among them while wet. The
foliage got soiled, rusts, and goes to
decay, sapping the life Of the plant (;
weeds are cut up only TO grow again,
and the soil soon becomes harder than
before the labor was performed. Hoe
ing, with view TO improve the crop
and destroy weeds and grass, should
be performed at midday, when the
heat of the sun will at once dry up
and destroy them. This will leave
the soil loose and mellow, to absorb
the evenings dew and furnish mois-
ture and nourishmeat to the plants,
and will be found more effective than
any reasoablc amount of watering.
A little forethought in the prepara-
ton and planting would render after
culture comparatively easy. The
ground should be plowed and worked
dee, md thoroughly. Nowhere is sub
soilhig more necessary. The manure
should be old and well decayed, that
the seeds of noxious weeds may be
destroyed, which cannot be the case
in the application Of fresh manure.
Crops of all kinds should be planted
in rows, Mt sufficient distance apart to
allow the use Of the horse cultivator.
which should run through the rows
as often rs the weeds get started. OF
the surface becomes hardened by
rains or from laying lmdisturbed.
Those who cultivate smaller gar
dons, or cannot avail themselves OF
horse labor. can substitute light
hand-plow, made in the form of a
shovelplow, with a large wheel in
front, and which is easily worked by
one man, eaecting q saving of time
and harder hand labor. These are
made with steel share attachments foi
wedding and killing, though we woult
not recommend killing 20 any extern
in garden culture, even for potatoes
Hand cultiyators may also be had
that win be found material aids. +,
devoting an hour, two or three day,
in week, with the help Of the hired
man, even in haying time, the farmer
will find it easy to keep the garden il
the very best shape, and render the
labor profitable.
One main object, in addition tC
care of the growing crop, should be
the determination of weeds. Ever,
head that is suffered to mature sceC
is hydra-heade, monster, to reap
pear and be fought in future. Ever
when the carly crops, such AS pea
and potatoes, are removed, no weed
should be allowed to go to seed. Thi
caution is of value in field culture, bu
much more so when applied to tn
garden, as so many smaller and NOR
delicate plants are to be grown therein
Farmers, give the garden good summe
care, and it will repay you many-fold
u. II.