The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-30

At the last session of the Ravenna Grange,
the subject for discussion was. Sc The farmers
garden, its necessity for the household, and
should the housewife oversee its cultivation?''
Mr. McTntosh opened the talk by saying that
the garden is very necessary and valuable.
From it we may receive a supply of fresh veg
etables for the table during the Summer and
Fall seasons. Coming as they do daily upon
our table. we do not appreciate their valEe as
We should The garden should be cdmmodious
in size. and longer than wide. 1t used to be
thought necessary to spade the entire garden,
lay it eff into beds and cultivate entirely by
hand. But we have largely outgrown this no.
ton, and the garden is now plowed and fitted
by horse power. and the vegetables planted in
long rows, and the cultivation done by the
hand or nor, e cuitivator. The housewife should
not. therefore. be expected to cultivate it. The
garden spot should be rich. that we may receive
the most benefit for our labor upon it. 1t would
be well if its location could be changed every
few years. Continued in one place for many
years. it becomes overrun with "chickweed 81
and other perennial weeds, which cannot be
easily controlled.
Mr.. Jennings emphasized the fact that the
garden should be large and long one Many
farmers have a very small garden. And the
man who has the largest farm usually has the
smallest garden. poorly cared for. The pro-
verbal good gard n CT the German is cultivated
by the housewife.
Mr.. Root sasd that his wife had poor health.
Some years ago, believing that the outdoor
air and sunshine would be good for her. house
hold help was hired. and Mrs. Root was given
he care Of tue garden. uer health improved
under the changed circumstances, and she has
had better health ever since.
Mrs. Rartlett said that nOt only do fresh air
and light labor give health, but fresh vegetables
conduce la rgely to it. Many vegetables lose
their delicacy of flavor after being gathered q
few hours
Mis-. Jennings said that very few realize the
value of the garden. She Can hardly see how
the farmers wife could get the necessary food
for the hungry men during the harvest season
without its contributions. While the house
wife may not be able to do all the cultivation,
she can oversee it and do much of the work
which the me- II may not have. time to do during
the busy season.
Mrs. Haymaker remarked that while Mrs
Jennings could not get along during harvest
| without the garden vegetables. she priced them
| for the entire year By burying the cabbage
and turnips, and drying and canning the corn.
| tomatoes and other vegetables. there was
| scarcely day in the year but what they had at
upon the table
Mr.. Sapp said that with others who had
| already spoken. he did not believe that farmers
generally realize the full value OF gooi gar
den. Could the farmer for one year dispense
with his garden and buy in the market all the
fresh vegetables that his family would like to
consume. h. would readily realize its value
Not only should the garden produce our veg
et1bles, but our berries and small fruits as well
We can usually raise our raspbe -ries and black
berries in the garden with less labor than we
can go to the fields and gather them. n. Dinner.
the noted horticulturist, has said that bushel
of raspberries can be grown as cheaply as a
bushel of shelled corn. With very little labor
and the use of white hellebore to conquer the
worm, we can raise an abundant supply of cur
| rants and gooseberries. AS to whether the
| housewife shall oversee the cultivation Of the
garden or not. is largely a question of time
She should have at least an equal chance with
the husband to say what should be grown there
in. and if her household cares will permit. may
do the light part of the labor
Mr. Jennings said that currahts commanded
larger price in the markets last Summer than
any of the common kinds of berries while Mr.
Hustled suggested that they were in league with
the sugar trust.
Subject for discussion at next regular meet
ing is, The Farmer Pests.''