Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-08

DaiIp kennebfl !3ournaI.
A Vegetable Garden.

good garden is convenience and a
luxury which every farmer is entitled TO.
and if properly managed is during the
summer months nearly half living"
for family. Not only this, but it fur
nishes an abundance of healthy and easily
digested food at just the right season Of
the year when such food is required by
the system. Yet. notwithstanding the
ease with which garden can be culti-
waited and filled with the choicest of vege-
tables. how few farmers have a good gar
den; and when We say good garden. we
mean one that yields an ample supply of
vegetables in their season to satisfy the
wants of the farmers family. 1t seems
little strange. when we consider that the
first occupation of man was dressing and
keeping garden, that many of the farm
ers of to-day should be so adverse to
''tussing" with one, as they call it. 1t
should he pasiime for farmers, or anybody
else. to watch and tend the growth of
plants; and besides, many spare moments
can be improved in 4 garden, that would
otherwise be lost. 1t is no small item to
have ones vegetables fresh and nice. as
many know who have lived on farms, and
moved into the city and purchased from
the markets
The soil for a garden should be well
drained, free from stones. deep, mellow
and well enriched. If near the buildings,
and many fowls are kept, it is necessary
to inclose it with picket or high board
fence. Do not use the same land too
many years in succession, as after a while
the land will get so worn out that the
tremendous growth of foliage There
are many different varieties of the many
sorts of vegetables, and the most OF them
have their merits. We will give several
varieties which in our experience have
proved the best for family garden, where
not more than one or two kinds can be
cultivated Beans: pale London Hor-
ticultural. very productive; good both in
the pod and shclled. For an early bean
the Red Valentine is a most excellent va
riety. II is a bush bean and used prin-
cipally fer snaps. Sweet corn; Mexican.
This is by far the sweetest variety for the
table that we are acquainted with. 1t is
black when dry. but when green is the
usual color. The early Minnesota sweet
is the best early. Tomatoes: Trophy.
the best tomato grown; very large.
smooth and solid with very few seeds.
For an early variety we should secure the
Canada Victor. Cucumbers White Spine,
the best for table use. The Early Short
Green is also excellent for the table and
makes good pickles. The Early Russian
is the earliest. Squash: For standard
squash the old reliable Hubbard is still
ahead The Summer Crookneck is the
best for summer use. Cabbage: Fottler's
Early Drumhead. We believe this to be
one of the very best. 1t is Of geod size,
solid and sure to head Lettuce: The
Hanson is prime variety and is not ex-
celled for family use. The heads are
large. delicious and without any bitter
flavor. The White Tennis Ball is good
for early culture. Peas: Champion of
England. For use, green, this is the
richest and best favored pea grown. For
use. dry. the Black-eyed Marrowfat is
good. Beet: Early Blood Turnip. This
is indispensable to every garden however
small. Carrot: Long Orange. Parsnip:
Hollow Crowned. Turnip: White Ruta-
baga. and Early White Flat Dutch. As a
rule the quality of the early varieties is
not so good. or the size so large as that Of
the later kinds. The seed catalogues con-
tain accounts of many high-priced new and
puffed mp varieties which are said to pro-
duce wonderful results, but the gardener
will usually find the tested. reliable sorts
the best