Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-16
HE VEGETABLE GARDEN.


January is the month In which prepara-
lions for garden work must oegin- The soil
composing the garden plats should have
been deeply turned and subsoiled sixty
DAYS ago. but the majority OF farmers
nearly always wait until the last minute
before doing any work in the garden. and
even then the land is only broken ana pre-
pared to meet immediate demands for such
seed as are 70 be planted. There is no
piece OF land on the farm which gives
larger profit on the area planted and culti-
waited than the small piece OF ground US
ually devoted 70 the growth OF vegetables
FOR the family.
EXCEPT in the neighborhood of the sea
and gulf coast there cannot he planted
during the present month many vegetable
seed. but if the weather IS open and pleas
ant the garden area can be gotten into
good condition for considerable planting IN
February. Stable manure should now be
hroadcasted heavily over the soil and then
the land broken deeply and narrowed over
several times TO secure perfect tilth con-
difion. I have never vet heard OF an in
stance where 't0a much barnyard manure
was spread on the garden. or where the
vegetables had been overworked. We
should therefore fertilize as heavily as
possible. prepare the land thoroughly and
then stir the soil around the growing veg
etables as often and as rapidly as possible
a Common Hot Bed.
IN those sections where IL Is yet too
early to expose the tender plants in the
open soil. we can obviate the difficulty By
muilding a cheap hot bed in which the
seeds OF different plants may be germinat-
ed now and transplanted out in the garden
when the condition OF the weather per
mits- / have for many years used an in
expensive hot bed with good results for
growing early lettuce. raddish. salad. cab
hages. etc. The best place 10 locate
common hot bed or cold frame. Is on the
rear OF an out building facing the south
Get either a southeastern or southern eX-
posurs~ with protection from the cold
western and noTthern winds. Lay of a
place six feet wide by Il 10 - feet long
and fork the ground up deeply.
Then spade OF about four inches OF the
top soil and spread on about three inches
OF well rotted stable manure. pressing the
same down firmly by stamping. Next
throw on the son which was first remOv-
ed and build q cheap plank wall around
the whole. having the northern or western
side two feet higher than the front. Al
low TO stand for two days before planting
the seed Glass can be used TO cover the
frame. but I have had excellent success
with plain Osnaburg sheet. so arranged
that IL Guild be turned back pleasant days
nights To a person who has never plant
ed variety OF quick growing early veget-
ahles on a small patch OF soil prepared ia
this way il will be astonishing TO know
what an adjunct 10 the table IL viii give in
a very short period OF time.
In such a bed cabbages. tomatoes pep
per and other vegetables OF ike character
can be early terminated and successfully
transplanted to much better advantage
rrHa ~
10 be carried in and out OF the house at
every change Of the weather during our
tickle season for the next two months
There is but Bttle work needed 10 have a
good hot bed OF the kind named. and there
Is so much more satisfaction in making
q. proper effort 10 have the kitchen garden
a success. than in depending upon the
usual shiftIess and indifferent methods
pursued BY so many men who follow the
noble profession o. farming. ANY man
who has the proper regard for his wife
and wants 10 aid her IN the management
OF her housekeeping duties. viii always
prepare and Furnish a good garden
A Necessary Adjunct.
There is nothing mysterious about the
ability or some people 10 have a luxurious
garden during nearly every month in the
year. while others only have a few stalks
OF colIards in the fall. The man with a
first class garden Is also apt 10 have an
abundance Of home raised corn and meat
on hand also. IL Is simply the difference
between thrift and success on the one
side and carelessnezs and indifference on
the other. At this time when provisions OF
All kinds arc 80 high I'm price. the garden
becomes "A necessity. whether IL be
pleasure or not. yet there is no part OF the
farm which should give more genuine
pleasure to the owner. and to all members
OF his family. than a garden filled with
luNrIriant growing vegetables all nicely
worked and In inviting condition There is
no vegetable superior TO asparagus and
set there are but few asparagus beds 20
he found on the average farm. a splendid
dinner can be- served wiki small piece
OF bacon and a variety OF veEeta bles- Man
was originally "a vegetarian and the hard
est worked men would require but little
OF the expensive breads and meats usually
and summer II the kitchen garden re-
ceived tire care and attention q ought 10
have We need a revival OF interest along
this line ~ our agricultural work. first
class garden this year on every farm I'm
the south would mean the saving OF mill
ions Of dollars. which will otherwise flow
into che pockets % western meat ana
grain dealers. The size Of the kitchen gar
den spot may look ike a small affair
from the outside. but 20 the man who has
20 foot the table bills the year round IL
should riean a regular savings hank
HARVIE JORDAN.