Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-28
NO. rs.
THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

The first thing to be done is the selec-
ton of good spot of land, one that is
sheltered from cold winds and favorably
exposed to the suns rays all day. Hav-
ing fixed on the location, the next thing to
consider is how it shall be planned. It is
not easy to do this on paper as every plot
of ground thus selected, has, so to speak.
its own peculiarities, such as would rem
der any definite or fixed plan, suited to
other conditions or surroundings, unfit for
this particular spot.
A fiat surface is, ordinarily, deemed
preferable, unless slope be desired for
the purpose of fastening or retarding such
plants as are priced at particular seasons
of the year. A slope to the east of about
fifteen degrees, southeast or south is pref
cradle to slope to the north, unless the
desire be to retard growth then choose
the latter if available, as is generally the
case in New England. the Switzerland of
America. The sun is the force for bring
ing vegetable life into perfection. II your
garden has no natural shelter on the north.
then an artificial one should be provided
by high wall or board fence, until a belt
of suitable trees can be grown for this
purpose. A wall on the north and north
west side furnishes favorable exposure
for growing early fruits and early vegeta-
bles, such as radishes, lettuce, asparagus,
etc. Such an exposure would also favor
the growth of early strawberries. Very
high plots are not desirable, as they are
exposed to winds and drought; and very
low ones to dampness, blight, mildew and
frost.
The size of the garden must depend up
has IN 70 a
how much it is desired to grow. Half an
acre, more or less, makes a good sized
vegetable and early fruit garden. A small
family, numbered with much other labor,
would put up with much less even than q
quarter OF an acre. 1t often happens that
we accept small garden patch, either
tor the lack of room or else for the want
of taste for vegetable gardening. A small
kitchen garden, well managed. will fur
nish all the more common vegetables a
family needs. ay, if very well manged,
even more-bunches of early radishes,
spinach, asparagus, onions, rhubarb, let
tuce, peas, tomatoes, etc.. for the market.
border near wall or fence, that shell
tiers the gentle slope from cold winds, is
most favorable for the production of early
vegetables, such being Preferable to
Hot beds are used by some enterprising
farmers for the aceeleration of plant
growth. They are chiefly made of stable
dung; tanners bark, oak leaves and other
articles subject to putrescent fermentation
may be used alone or with stable-dung.
Hot beds consist of glass frames for the
protection of the plants. set at an angle of
fifteen or twenty degrees. Farmers that
use them do it for starting early plants of
tomatoes, cabbages, cucumbers, etc., for
transplanting early for home usel
We thus early call attention to the SUBJ
lect of kitchen gardens. because we think
it is matter quite too much neglected by
the rural population of New England and
elsewhere. The table luxuries that may
thus be produced by good vegetable
garden, within the reach of every farmer,
and of mechanics even who own a small
patch of ground, are quite too rare. How
many farmers over the Northern States
cultivate the strawberry for their own ta-
bles? One in ten, does any one with OPP
portunity for observation suppos e? Not
one in hundred. according to our obser-
vation. This ought not so to be. Every
farmer may and should grow this delicious
fruit for his own table,