Daily Kennebec journal., 1875-05-03
NO. lo5.
ABOUT THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Excellent quality in vegetables can only
be secured through rapid growth. TAX
ing this as basis of operation, the neces-
sity of rich, congenial soil becomes ap-
parent even to those who have had no ex-
perience in the culture Of the various
kinds found in our gardens. Tough,
stringy beets, bitter. leathery lettuce, and
slender stem asparagus are pretty sure
signs OF poor soil or great neglect in cul-
ture. For the first few years newly
cleared and fertile soil may not require
manure; but the richest land soon shows
signs, OF deterioration if constantly Guilt
waited and no additions Of fertilizers are
made to it, as is usual in newly-settied
portions of the country. %
1t is always better to apply all kinds OF
coarse manure, such as obtained from the
barnyard, to the vegetable garden in Au-
tumn but II one does not have it at that
time. and can supply the deficiency in
Spring. then an early application is prefer
able to a late one. The manure thrown
out from the stable during the Winter is
usually quite coarse, containing more or
less straw. corn stalks, and similar mate
rials, which are of little value as fertilizers
until thoroughly decomposed; besides. if
the attempt is made to incorporate them
with the soil, they always interfere more
or less with the proper preparation Of the
land as required for the smaller kinds of
seeds. The best way to avoid such an in
convenience is to fork over the manure
in the barnyards as soon as the weather
VIII permit in Spring. separating the finer
portions from the coarse, placing the two
kinds in heaps, each by itself. The first
can then be used for the vegetable gar.
den or other crops to which it is best
adapted. employing the latter for pota-
toes, corn, or for mulching around fruit
trees. If it is not wanted for any such
purpose. leave it in the heaps and by fork
ing over two or three times during the
Summer. it will become we'll rotted in
time for use the next Fall.
We have never experienced any diff
Guilty in thoroughly rotting the coarsest
kind of corn stalks in one Summer, by
forking over occasionally and keeping it in
large, tlat-top piles, which would take up
instead of shedding water.
Old manure is also better than new on
account of its containing less quantity of
weed seeds which are in condition to
grow but if land is made rich it is pretty
certain to produce a good crop of weeds.
whether any seeds are introduced with
fertilizers or not and we have vet to find
a soil rich enough to produce cultivated
plants that did not also produce the ever
pests.
In the hurry of spring work the prepa-
ration OF the ground to be used for vege-
tables is very likely to be slighted; and
once plowing is all that it gets, although
two or three would be labor spent. The
manure should be applied early, and if in
time to have the Spring rains carry the
liquid parts into the soil, so much the bet
ter; then plow under rs soon as the
ground is dry enough to work readily.
Harrow and cross plow, then harrow
again Just before commencing to SOW seed
or set out plants. Twice plowing and two
or three harrOwings will insure pretty
thorough distribution of the manure ap-
piled, as well as pulverization, without
which good results cannot be secured.
Clay soils which do not readily break
down under the harrow should be rolled.
in order to crush the Jumps and make the
surface friable; in fact, the more time
spent in preparing the land for crop, the
less will be required in after culture; be-
sides, it is much easier to do it with team
than by hand labor.
Ii roots are to be grown for stock, such
as carrots and turnips, which are or can
be sown later in the season, the land
should be prepared, or at least a COM
mencement made early, permitting the
weed seeds near the surface to start as
they generally will; then harrow and de-
stroy them before putting in the crop. II
land intended for late turnips can be
manured and plowed in Spring, and then
kept under cultivation during the Sum-
mer, it will be all the better for this extra
Now, to sum up this subject OF vege,a-
Bile culture. we may put the causes OF
failure under the following heads: l. A
poor soil; ?. Want of thorough prepara-
tion before putting in the seed; 3. Neg
lect in culture OF the crop: 4. Poor seed
and unfavorable season. But the two lat
ra rnt