The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-11-08
The Farm Garden.


well-kept garden is one of the most inn
portant adjuncts of the farm, since it
may fully furnish one-half the living of
the family, but who, ut the same time,
had little or no experience in laying
out and arranging the garden, we pro-
pose to give some general directions
that will assist to that end.
The autumn is the season for begin
ming the work for the next year; and
first, as to the size and shape of the
farm garden. 1t should not be less than
an acre in extent, and should be in the
shape of a parallelogram; that is, longer
than it is broad, and this for obvious
reasons. 1t saves labor in cultivation,
since it may be plowed, and much of
the cultivation may he done with farm
team. A plat ten by sixteen rods is an
acre, and a garden plat sixteen rods
long will allow for horse culture, the
space ten feet on each end for turning
the horse, to be appropriated for late
growing crops that will not interfere
until the Decentralization is about
complete.
The important thing in vegetable
gardening is manure, and the richer the
garden is made, the better; since it costs
no more to cultivate an acre Of rich soil
than an acre of poor soil. Clear the
ground of trash, and cart on as soon as
possible forty good loads of the best
manure YOU have, and plow it in i'm
mediately, ten inches deep. Have a
hand along to drag the manure into the
bottom of the furrow, the plOwman as
sisting when necessary. Roll the whole
down solid, and then cart on twenty or
thirty loads of the most rotten manure
you have-barn scrapings, or better,
compost. Spread this evenly, harrow
thoroughly, roll again, and pillow this
under to the depth Of about four inches,
leaving the ground as rough as possible.
Leave the whole in this condition until
spring, to be weathered by the rains
and frosts of winter. Thus you will be
ready for work in the spring.
In the farm garden roadways may
well be dispensed with, at least until
you find, as you will, that the money
spent in the garden is well invested.
Then you may inquire as to the proper
laying out of the garden. The plan we
have foreshadowed will do away with
permanent roadways. We should also
do away altogether with the old-fash-
toned system of beds. Put everything
in rows running clear across the plat.
If you do not wish enough of any par
ticular plant to reach across the field,
as of radish, lettuce and cress, sow such
length as you require and follow with
other seed, until the drill is finished.
So asparagus, rhubarb and other peren-
mails may be given a position in the
garden where they are to remain per-
manently. A little calculation will en-
able one to SO arrange the crops, that
succession and rotation may follow.
For instance, late cabbage may succeed
early potatoes. Tomatoes or egg plants
may follow early lettuce, radish, cress,
spinach, and all that class of plants.
Nevertheless it will not pay the farmer
to adopt so close succession, as it will
the city gardener, where the rent of
land is high, and every foot of ground
must be kept covered.
While upon the subject of gardens,
we may state that therein is the proper
place for small fruits. The plat should
be made large enough to accommo-
date the vineyard, raspberries, black
berries, currants, gOOseberries and
Strawberries. If dwarf pears and APP
Piles are to be cultivated, here is their
proper place. The same may be said
of plums and cherries, when they are
cultivated only for family use. These,
of course, should be planted clear
across the plat, using one or more
rows as may be needed, beginning with
the larger growing trees at the outside,
and preferably on the West, for the
protection they will afford to the
garden. On the north side, in the most
sunny and protected part the hot
bed, or cold frame, as the case may be,
should be located. This is one of the
most important aids in gardening, and
no farmer should be deferred from
using frames because he does not un-
derstand their management. 1t may
be learned in a single season, and the
glass will be cheerfully watched by the
female members of the household. In
deed, as q rule, they are more SUCCESSES
Nj In 4ka mama aSaane than s5Aaa ans