The Southern herald., 1900-03-02
FARMER
THE FARMERS GARDEN.
Vow is the Time 10 COSIder the sub
icct of the Coming sea-
sons Vegetable Garden.

sons Vegetable NHaFueMs
Ii is now an appropriate time TO con-
slider the subject of making a garden.
Does it pay? is a question sometimes
put by the troughtleSs. There is moth
ing about the hOme, however humble
its surroundings, that contributes
more solid comfort and enjoyment
than weli-managed garden. 1t pays
in the improved health that always
comes to a family hberaliy supplied
with well-grown vegetables. \ farmer
without a garden is forced to use more
meats and buys good many canned
vegetables. which, we are sorry to say,
are frequently rendered unfit for use
5y the use of what are called preserva-
,i,es, which are more or less poison
Gus, for whatever prevents decay and
fermentation will, when taken into the
stomach, retard the digestive processes
and become a prolific source of dyspep-
Sia. In selecting a site for the farmers
garden it is important to have it near
the farm house, so that the housewife
may be saved as many steps as prac-
ticable. We have met with good
many farmers who planted their gar
lens in the fields far away from the
house to prevent the chickens from
destroying the growing vegetables.
There is no reasonable excuse for this.
A paling or netted wire fence around
the garden, or hen yard fenced with
the same material, will keep the chicks
out Of mischief. During spring and
summer we keep our chicks in yards
behind a netted wire fence and think it
cheaper than fencing the garden; have
tried both plans. A half-acre plat is
large enough for an ordinary family,
prCducing.when well manured and cul-
tiyuted, an abundance of every kind
OF vegetable usually grownin garden.
If the garden is located on ground that
drains well naturally it should be
planted and cultivated fat to avoid too
Huch washing in times of heavy rain
fall. In case, however. the ground lies
tat and hold water il will become nee
essary to provide for its escape; 9TH
erwise no early garden is possible. 1t
is well, after applying manure, to
break such land, throwing it into high
beds not more than twenty feet wide,
with drainage furrows between that
carry the surplus water into a plowed
ditch at the lowest side of the garden,
so the floods of early spring that would
make it impossible to do anything in
a garden for weeks are disposed of
without detriment. Afterwards, when
1t is desirable to retain the water sup
ply for growing crops, these drains
may be filed with a furrow or two. 1t
is best, however, to keep them open
during the spring. closing them for
late summer and fall crops.
Fertilizing is most important fea-
ture of successful gardening. without
Il Il frst-class garden is hardly possi-
ble, for only in very few cases is the soil
sufficiently rich to produce good vege-
tables. High fertility and intensive
culture are the two necessary elements
i'm all garden operations. Barn yard
manures are obtainable upon every
farm, and, all things considered, are
the most available for our purpose.
Fresh manures scattered now and
plowed in will become available plant
| food in two or three months; but raw
or unfermented barn yard manure
should not be APPLIED late or about the
time of planting, for, instead of bene-
fitting the young vegetables, it becomes
source of damage, often causing
them to burn and shrivel. Manures ap-
piled at planting should have been com
posted and thoroughly rotten, so as to
be Immediately available.
The droppings from hen roosts
should be saved with scrupulous care.
Were obtainable, the addition of
small quantity of soil, mixing them as
they accumulate during fall and win
ter months. The droppings from u
OF 100 hens will make a splendid addi-
ton to your supply of fertilizers. In
deed. these droppings properly handled
and kept dry, are nearly equal to the
famous guano, at $40 per ton.
Wood ashes from winter fires, in
stead of being carelessly wasted should
be saved up in barrels or boxes for use.
They contain a large percentage Of
potash, fertilizing element of very
great value both for garden and or
chard. Caution is necessary to avoid
a possible fire. Ashes should not 90
into barrels under shelter till all fire
is out. and it is well to dampen them
| when storing them under shelter.
When applying them it is well to mix
the ashes with composted barn yard
manure, making balanced plant food
of the mixture.
When leaves are obtainable without
too much expense they should be used
for bedding i'm stables and COW stall.
absorbing the liquid animal excretions
and holding the ammonia, very valu-
able fertilizing element and very liable
to evaporate and be lost unless some
steps are taken to hold it. On many
farms which produce wheat and oats,
there is plenty of straw and chaff. The
latter will make an ideal absorbant for
bedding purposes. Nothing will pay
better for the time and trouble than
such provision; try it. We shall have
more to say on the farmers garden in
succeeding issues Of Orchard and Gar
den.