The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-04
FOR OUR FARM FRIENDS.
THE MARKET GARDEN BY 7. F. BAKER.
Proper Solitary yegetabIes-The Fertil-
ity of the GrOund-Fertilizers-
of seeds-setting of Plants-Their Gut
tivation-The Garden-Farm Notes.

We market gardeners are compelled to
realize sooner or later that there are GER
tain conditions and circumstances for ulti-
mate success in the production of vegeta-
bles for profit. They who have failed to
discover these features have failed OF sue
cess, and have too often in contempt stig-
matized as ''book farming" the wonderful
productions of the successful gardener.
First among the conditions for success is
the proper soil. Second, manure, or its
equivalent in some form as plant food, and
in abundance. Third, good seed, properly
planted with constant and thorough but
intelligent cultivation, and a sufficient
knowledge of natures laws to understand
the necessities of any emergencies during
the varying conditions and atmospheric
changes of our climate-these are among
the important requisites for the successful
growth of vegetables.
In considering the soil, the old proverb,
"Not what | have but what do in my
kingdom" is applicable to those whose
soil is not suitable, or which has, through
continued cropping, been exhausted OF
their fertility.
Generally speaking, soils are much like
individual character, good or bad, accord
ing to the amount of cultivation bestowed
upon them. In no occupation do we re-
celve greater benefits than we do from the
iudicious management and fertilization OF
our soils, and without it nothing can be
expected.
When a selection can be made for gen
eral garden crops my preference would be
for sandy loan, az deep as possible,
though this is virtually matter within
the control of the tiller. provided this sur
face is underlaid with good clay su5soil,
which acts as a bank, stores mp and re-
tains the saltwater with its mingled ingre-
dents of plant food which may have been
applied from time to time. This subsoil
can be, by each years cultivation, grad
ually intermingled with the surface soil
without injury, and by oft-repeated opera
tions of this kind your soil will become as
deep as you can pillow.
1t seems to be the prevailing opinion,
in some sections at least, that sandy soils
are indispensable for the growth Of early
vegetables. Great has been the comment,
when visiting my farm, to find soil, which
they term heavy, producing vegetables
earlier than their sandy soils. This, how
ever, in my experience, is possible most
seasons by proper treatment and the appli-
cation of the right manures, soluble plant
food needed by the particular crop under
cultivation.
Drought and heat are two elements over
which the cultivator has no control,
though it is within his province to relieve,
in great measure, through proper cult
walton. Admitting this, | feel safe in say
ing the losses incurred by the effect of
these two elements on sandy soils amounts
to double that from any other cause, and
| is of such frequent occurrence to lead me
to say consider the growing of vegetables
in such soils uncertain and Improbable.
Again we see those who attempt to grow
early vegetables on heavy, tenacious clay
soils, or cold, wet, springy bottom lands.
In both cases the operator is obliged TO
| defer his operations in the spring until late
| from the sticky nature of his soils or sur
| plus OF water in the other case. Such soils
are cold and impervious to the air which
| should penetrate and warm up. Start into
active growth seeds so planted in a more
| favorable soil, the after-growth is slow and
| the effect apparent In an inferior and late
crop, which is usually Improbable ii good.
1t is hardly possible in most localities to
select plot of twenty acres or more upon
/ which YOU cannot find diversity of soils
so that the intelligent gardener, one who
is possessed with the keen perceptibiities
| OF the wants and requirements of each
class of vegetables he wishes to cultivate,
| can select in plots here and there such
soils as is best adapted to that particular
| crop, thereby lessening the danger of fail
ure. Where so much depends on heat,
cold and drought even the most careful
| and wlsest sometimes tail.
i, IL
be the fertility of our soils, and through
what applications and of which form OF
plant-food can we best secure the desired
fertility.
In the selection OF our fertilizing ele-
ments a knowledge OF the ash ingredients
of the plants to be fed aid in the selection
from the various sources at our command
Too few cultivators properly understand
| the influence that is exerted upon the
crop growth through the application OF
manure or fertilizers to get the best re-
suits. The medium in which roots grow
has been described by Noble, and his ex-
periments have established the fact beyond
doubt that where fertilizers were placed
whether in horizontal or vertical layers, al
one inch in depth, at the center or bottom
OF glass cylinder, at that point mat oil
fine fibrous roots were found"
With this understanding OF the instinct.
i've adaptation OF roots to material which
could furnish them with food, we should
apply our manure at such depths and
places as we would wish the development
of these feeding roots. 1t also shows the
necessity of rich soils for close planting in
our gardens. The farther the roots have
20 penetrate the soil in search OF food the
fewer they number, and while plant may
flourish with a great extent OF roots, an
other may equally as well with short roots
by their being more numerous. The az
gregate absorbing surface would amount tC
about the same in both. Therefore we sec
the quantity of root development is inhu
enced by the richness of our soils. Hence
the fallacy of applying manure in the hill
with most crops, as is practiced by some
the result OF which is to stimulate vigor
GUS growth OF plant during its early life
which must in the after-growth be sup
ported from some source, and unless the
soil is thoroughly enriched over the entir,
surface that demand is not met and the
plant resents the stint by refusing to pro
duce its fruits or grain in that proportion
Stable and yard manure is considered
by many complete manure, and as sucf
indispensable for market gardening. Ii
this particular must beg to be allowed {,
differ. A series of trials and experiment.
which have been most carefully tried anC
conducted during period of fifteen con
tinuous years in the occupation, demon
strate TO me, at least in their results, that
combination OF stable manure and com
| mercial fertilizers have and do invariabl,