Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-03-29
SOUTH TUESDAY MARCH 20 1898
THE FARMERS GARDEN.

the work must be done by hand 10 usual
IL nuisance and should be abandoned.
Select long strip Of land, plant garden
crops In rows, that the greater part Of
the tillsge can be done by horse and
cultivatOr.
Vegetables to grow quickly and be
tender require rich soil, either natural
ly fertile or made 90. Where not nAtur-
ally very rich, it should receive coat Of
well-rotted manure, each fall after every
thing Is removed. After the manure lie
applied, give it = thorough, deep plow-
ing. think 1t Il better to plow It in
the fall, as the freezing will kill all To-
sects and the ground will work up better
the next spring and II can be worked
earlier, thus giving the early vegetables
q good start.
In cultivsting the growing crops there
are number Of good implements to Sc
lect from. There are attachments for a
common double shovel plow with three
little narrow shovels for each shank that
| think works to perfection. In addi-
tion to the horse cultivator you should
also have good hand garden cultivator.
A good one can be bought with four or
five different attachments, for not more
then five dollars. This Is very nice TO
get up close TO small plants, also to mark
out ground for seeds that do not want "a
be planted very deep. The garden
should be cultivated after every rain just
as soon as the ground Is dry enough to
work. This Is the secret Of success In
having a good garden. Usually when
work Is pushing the farmer, the garden
Is neglected until the last. The ground
becomes hard, weeds start, the plants
are stunted and the garden never gives
the returns that II should. In the latter
part Of the summer n person is apt to
neglect the garden and let weed now
and then 90 TO seed, which will cause an
extra effort the next season.
Work should not cease Mt any time
during the summer. When preparing
for early vegetables the ground that is
left for later planting should be stirred
or narrowed also, as this will prevent a
crust forming and will also destroy
weeds, thus making the cultivation easier
later In the season. As soon as the
ground Is 10 the proper condition In the
spring there should be planting Of
peas. beans, beets, rsdishes, lettuce,
sweet corn, etc. In ten days or two
weeks there should be another planting
By this plan we are enabled to have q
succession Of the most delicious vegeta-
bles upon our tables at all times.
throughout the summer months, and
with little forethought and planning
we may extend the time well into the
winter.
The farmer has one advantage over his
city cousin, that Is, he can have all the
luxuries the soil will produce without
having TO 90 down into his pocket and
pay out the money for everything he
places upon his table, or without taking
much of his time from his regular work,
IL he will give his garden little fore
thought, and have the work properly
planned. Plant everything the long
way of the garden. Have the rows
straight. Cultivate everything at the
right time and il will be = comparative
ly easy matter TO enjoy what the Creator
will bestow upon those who try 10 help
themselves. think one Of Gods best
gifts to man is fruit, and most luscious
Of all Is the strawberry, yet 1t is very
strange how many farmers there are who
do not raise this fruit. Strawberries
can be raised in long rows II care Is TAX
en- TO plant the ones that have imperfect
blossoms BY the side Of the ones that
have perfect blossoms, to insure fertilizs-
ton. Or IL can be more easily done by
planting several rows, every other row be-
ing perfect blossoming variety and vice
versa. A good plot should be devoted
to this fruit and any surplus can be very
readily disposed Of. There should also
be n row of rsspberries and blsckberries,
as they come in succession after straw.
berries. In conclusion will say that II
every farmer will give little Of his time
and thought TO truck and fruit garden,
he will be more than amply repaid by
the enjoyment, health and pleasure be
and his family will derive from it,
Homestead.