The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-04-17

Why will so many of our arlhe :
| live ON bacon and corn bread when they
might so easily have fresh vegetables
and healthful fruits, all the year round
The following from the Prarle Farmer
may be a little late for Eastern Carolina
bur not for the Western section.
Everybody admits the benefit to be
derived from a good garden. Even the
farmer who cultivates his acres with
thrift and energy. and flnds no time
for putterlng over an asparagus OF
| strawberry bed, or cutting bean-poies
| and brush. will not be SLOW III appIe-
ciatine the merits of green-peaS, II by
| chance they are offered for his dclecta-
ton: =
II IS a lamentable fact. that score OF
farmers who have every facility Tor
raising the choicest Of vegetables, con
tent themselves with r~oasting-ears from
the field, which; with potatoes, turnlps,
and pumpkins. make the sole variety TO
the daily fare OF bread and meat.
Among the few who consider 1t worth
while to make a garden. there are mum
bers who bestow SO little care and atten-
ton on the matter, that a season or two
of discouraeement and failures, results
I'm the abandonment of all future et-
forts.
a garden full of woodeny beets. and
bitter lettuce, watery tomatoes ana
stringv turnips is only an a~ggravatlon,
whereas a fiourishing one of crisp, fresh
vegetables, besides being a saving OF
money. is an unfailing esource during
all the summer, when fresh vegetables
are especially acceptable and healthful.
The spot chosen for the vegetable
garden should be near the kitchen, and
the first condition to success IS that 1t
should be highly fertilized and thor
oughly prepared for planting. If after
this it be planted with the best varie-
ties. and a succession of vegetables, 1t
will require but little attention to keep
it in excellent orde. The housewife will
find her cares lightened, and her dinners
improved; when only a few steps away
there are spinach. asparagus, peas,
wax-beans, radishes, lettuce. egg plant,
beets, cucumbers, onions, c%aulif1ower,
cabbage, summer squash, lima beans,
tomatoes. turmps, sweet corn, carrots,
parsni ps, satisfy, celery and okra to
choose from.
There should be successive paintings
every week of radishes. and every two
weeks OF peas and sweet corn, in order
that the supply may be kept in proper
condition for eating. Horseradish,
peppers, chives, peppergrass.
spearmint, and dill, will thrive
in the spare corners, while thyme, sage,
4 4 O., Al. Curno b,,1
or some other fragrant or
medicinal herb will make IA fine edging
Tor the vegetable beds. Unquestionablv.
he man who has once been coaxed into
his scheme, and who gardens success
'ully, will take as much pride and be as
IMPLY awarded in the cultivation of this !
title spot, as in the tilling of his broad :
lcres; the progressive gardener will not !
'e long III discovering that hot beds and
old frames are neither troublesome or
Expensive, and that they will greatly ;
the production Of early yege- !
ables. The time would not be long be- :
ore we should expect to find. on this $
Model farm. not only a kitchen garden, $
ut a Hover garden and apiary as well. :.
esldes fruit trees, a raspberry patch. !
trawberry bed, currant, gooseberry and Z
lackberry bushes, and plenty of pop :
orn tor the children. In this pleasant. q
home we would be sure to :
a contented, interested household. !.
'ch adding their individual sympathy a
labor toward the prosperity of the u
Establishment, and growing fonder. h
Ear by year, of the dear old homestead. u I
nd the family calling. .
y
Il