The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-03-03


\ few words in relation to the garden
may not come amiss, for generally no
part of the farm is SO much neglected ::
but, when properly cared for, there is
nothing which will yield greater profit,
or be more conducive to the health and
happiness of the family, than well-kept
garden. 1t will be surprising, to those
who have not tried it, how much may be
obtained from a well-cultiyated garden
toward supplying the table all through
the summer and autumn months with
fresh, nutritious and palatable food-the
early lettuce, radlSheS, asparagus, peas,
onions. carly potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage,
beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squashes
and melons. Then there are the small
fruits - delicious Strawberries for the
breakfast and tea table, or for desert for
dinner. instead Of costly puddings and
pies the raspberry, Currant, or the black
and white thimbleberry which will fruit
on almost any soil: they are healthy and
highly appreciated by all, especially the
children, and are more wholesome than
meat in hot weather. These garden
gloN,hS not only minister to our physical
wants. but they save much money that
is needed for household conveniences or
comforts, tor books, clothing, schools or
The church. On too many farms the gar
dcn is neglected to Il great extent, many
having nothing worthy Of the name, and
what they do have producing but little
except teN of the more common kinds
ot vegetables. y half acre set apart for
the purpose is capable Of being made
much the most profitable portion OF the
farm.
lt Is NOT my purpose to speak Of mar
hct gardening, a, that is generally we'll
understood by those who are engaged in
t, and II treated as Il specially, but of the
farmers garden. which as a rule is not
we'll managed. A good piece OF land
.lould ne selected, If such can be had,
Got tooiir from the buildings The best
land should be selected for the purpose
4 deep lnd retentve soil is the most de
sira!lo, to which a liberal dressing Of yard
manure should he applied annually. as
garden products are rank feeders. Some
-uuuu or other concentrated manure
Should bc used III the drill. y great saw
inE Is effected in the cultivation if the
land is ~u situated as to be worked as
much as possible 10y horsepower: 10y this
means Il great deal of hand labor may be
dispensed with, and the Work he much
more easily and chedpiy done. After the
garden /, planted anG has got well to
growing. ty giving il some daily attention
Ill Weedn- choice supply OF vegetables
may bc had. each in lis season, for the
table. and which "iI do much toward
SubSjstH- the family and attordng Il
healthy dict from early in the season I'M
Oh fail. and during the winter months I'M
til spring again. Many Il family that has
70 good garden. and understands how to
manage it, j. enabled to live well, that
otherwise would lind it exceedingly hard
TO make anything like a good living.
Mechanics. and others having but lin
tied areas ot land, give the subject 4
great deal Ot attention, and are much
more successful than farmers who have
much better facilities for eXcelIing in gar
elem culture Who has not been surprised
IT, see the large amount Of produce raised
ON a small tract of land by good care
and thorough cultivation, by people liv-
lug lr town. who would seem to labor
under very ntayorable circumstances
Farmers are too apt To neglect the gar
den and consider it of little consequence.
preterrng To occupy their attention with
the more laborious and less remunerative
labors Of the field, and in this way de-
priye themselves Of much comfort and
good living which they might Just as well
enjoy, and which would do much to make
the farm attractive and render the family
contented and better satisfied with cOun-
try life, which is desirable for the pros
periy of all rural communities Aside
from the profit, a Well-kept garden is
source ol pride 10 the family and has an
eleratlug influence On all concerned. EX-
change.