The Bossier banner., 1892-03-31
| FARMER AND PLANTER.
THE SPRING GARDEN.
'TIs Time Yod Were Bestirfing Yourself II
You Would Have Good One.

your spring garden. Donb Walh tiI
your neighbors report their ''frst mess"
Of lettuce or pease before you decide to
plant something. Cultivating the soil
is, l think, the most delightful and de-
voting occupation in the World. 1t is
such a pleasure to watch the tiny
sprouts appear above the ground, then
day by day unfold into luxuriant plants;
then the plows, then the fruit, and the
reward of your labor. What is the FIRST
thing to plant?" asks many an inexpe-
rienced housekeeper. So while l don't
profess to any great experience in the
matter myself, still I may be able to
answer that question satisfactorily to
most of them.
BY the last of January. at the latest,
the garden ought to be maured and
spaded up. Then select little corner
which will not be in the way of other
planting, and SOW a paper of curled
lettuce seed; next to that SOW curled
mustard. For these seed the soil must
be thoroughly pulverized, and after
that the beds will need no more atten-
ton. Now, lay off small rows, accord
ing to the space you can spare and the
size of your family, and set out onions.
The frost will not hurt these, and you
will soon have them large enough for
the table. If you live whete you are
free from the pest of English sparfows,
plant English peas at once. Half a
pint of seed should make enough for
family of four. This should be planted
at two paintings, about ten days apart,
SO as to give succession of pease.
Perhaps the dwarf varieties give the
best satisfaction, except in case of a
very rainy spring, when even they will
require sticking or lifting up on poles
to prevent mildewing or softening.
But, if the sparrows are numerous
around you, it is hardly worth while to
spend any time on planting pease, as,
last year, had all of mine totally de-
stroyed by them. We used paris green
on the vines after we discovered what
they were doingj but whether it did any
good or not am not able to say. Per-
haps we applied it after the vines had
already been hopelessly injured by the
birds Later in the season these birds
did great damage to our lima beans by
eating off the flowers as fast as they
bloomed. l wonder if the farmers
know what pest is being reared for
them in OUR cities by these little
creatures? l believe, for the most part,
they are chiefly confined to the cities at
present, but it is only a question of
time till they overrun the whole coun-
try. They increase enormously, and,
by their pugnacious habits, drive all
other birds before them. Instead of
law to protect them, we need law for
their determination, or they will soon
get the better of us.
But to return to the garden. Be sure
to sow pease early. If you are safe from
the sparrows, as frost does not hurt
them and they will come in at most ac-
ceptable time. After planting this far,
would let the garden wait until about
the middle of February before rising
any Irish potatoes. We have de-
licIous potato in our market called the
red triumph, which prefer for plant
ing to any other. 1t is very prolific
and grows rapidly. After the Irish
potatoes are in, plant few beans; you
can protect them if any cold snaps
come after they are up, and | think
you will be paid for the trouble The
red speckled valentine has SO MANY
virtues that dom t see any need of any
other variety of beans in the market.
Last year / had most abundant crops
from the black wax bean (white pod
and black seed), but found them so
tasteless and insipid that they were
hardly worth picking after they were
produced.
Another thing to be done very early
in the season is to plant couple of
seed boxes of tomatoes and egg plant
and cabbage also. if you like the latter
and have plenty of garden space,
think it better to omit this vegetable
and buy the few heads one wants dur
ing the season. But by all means
have your box of tomato plants and
egg plants, and parsley. A single FIVE
cent paper of these seeds will make
enough plants to supply large family
all summer, and planted now in boxes,
the plants will be large and vigorous
and ready to set out at the earliest
suitable season. The varieties which
give entire satisfaction for the home
garden are the Acme tomato and large
purple egg plant.
For preserving purposes it is nice to
have few plants of the yellow pear
tomato, if you have room for them.
But, as this is an entirely ornamental
variety. l would not advise giving up
any space to it that is needed for some
thing more useful. A few radishes can
be planted when the lettuce is sown,
and continue to plant them all spring,
as they make very appetizing relish
to a spring dinner. by March, sow
beets, parsnips and carrots, all OF
which will make valuable additions TO
the summer and fall gardens.
Last summer had most wonder.
fully productive crop from five-cent
paper of dwarf white okra seed. II
made two rows about ten feet long OF
plants that grew about four feet high.
but spread out like immature trees.
We had all we could possibly use for
seven people, and sold several dollars
worth at five cents per half gallon.
Market men yvera Sal1inr - ~ g.