The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1883-03-01
PREPARING FOR GARDENING.

A large portion of the vegetables cultivated in
gardens, depend for successful growth upon a
very rich soil. Hence the importance of provid-
ing plenty Of manure, and of applying it proper
ly. Old or rotted manure is always recommend
ed as best by gardeners, and is generally pro-
nounced indispensable. But fresh manure if
not mixed with litter, and if well pulverized
and thoroughly mixed with the soil, will ans
wer the purpose. Thrown on the ground care
lessy, and left in Jumps, it is worthless. A
growth of fine vegetables has been made where
it has been thoroughly ground into the soil, fine
ly intermixed with it, and the surface kept clean
and mellow during the season. And yet so
many do their work by halves, that it may not
be best to recommend it, except for autumn ap-
plication, when it will be well dissolved during
the several months before it will be drawn up
on by growing plants. 1t may also be well for
crops that are not set ont OF sown till approach
ing midsummer snch rs winter cabbage or tur-
nips, if applied previously, and thoroughly brok-
en- and worked in with harrow or rake in good
season. Land which is made rich by successive
manurings every year, will of course be the best
and manure should not be applied for garden
ing, especially if in large quantities, without
thorough pulverization and intermixture The
more completely these two requisites are attend
ed to the larger may be the application. Its
effects will be greatly increased by frequent and
perfect stirring of the soil during the season.
Farmers gardens will not get sufficient cult
walton if not laid ont as TO be chiefly dressed
ted to do the work, nine-tenths of such gardens
Will become crusty and weedy. The remedy is
to plant every crop that will admit it, in drills
or rows for the horse to pass between as often as
once a week through the entire season. This
will accomplish much work in half an hour
a whole day or more with hand hoe and do
il better and break the soil finer. before Won
begin spring work, lay out your garden so far
as may be practicable, for this horse dressing.
Some crops may be planted in drills two feet
apart, and still be cultivated by using a steady
horse and if the cultivatOr is not of the Kind TO
contract take out the outside teeth; when mel.
low and superficial treatment is wanted. rise a
larger number.
To secure early as well as good vegetables, it
is of vital Importance to have perfect drainage.
A wet soil may be unfit to work for weeks, and
then give you hard, or erusty. lumpy sur
face. Well drained land may be worked at
once, and be warm and mellow. If the ground
needs it, put in pipe tiles yard apart, and three
feet deep. II will make the season a month ear
lier than with water-soaked soil and he eduiva
lent TO three degrees further south in latitude
To sum up, then, provide in season plenty of
manure. Let II be thoroughly interInixed with
the soil. Arrange for all the hOrse-cultiv alton
practicable. Avoid the common mistake of oc-
cupying more ground than You can keep in per
feet condition. Have complete natural or arti-
hcial drainage. II these requisites attended
to, your vegetable garden will he found To be
the most profitable part of your farm: or ia
other words its products will give You supplies
for the table at cheaper rates than ANYTHING
else you eau consume; aud then, il this truth is
properly appreciated, Won will give the earliest
and best attention to it in arranging your labors
for the season, instead of falling into the error
of leaving the garden to take the last chance Of
being dressed ON some spare occasion when YOU
have nothing else to do, and to become filled
with w"eds.-CoHnfry Gentleman.