Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-20
THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

II there ever was a year when a garden
was valuable TO a farmer I'm helping TO
cut down heavy supply bills. Il does seem
that this Is the year.
For a man at the head OF a family en-
gagged In farming. who has 10 buy his
provisions and not furnish his table with
an abundance OF vegetables during the
coming months. he ought TO be charged
with criminal negligence.
There Is no earthly excuse why every
farmer should not have a good garden.
and particularly Is this applicable TO that
class OF our people who occupy the un-
fortunate and unenvisble position Of hav-
ing TO patr0nize the merchants supply
department. large portion OF our peo-
pie patronize the merchants meat. -four
and corn departments. in preference TO
raising these needed articles for consump-
ton at home.
Thousands OF others planted grain last
year. but. owing 20 unfavorable seasons.
made failures. either totally OF partially.
But the predicament is the same. and the
men without supplies. and they are num-
erous throughout the entire cotton belt.
are all on an equal footing and occupy
the same unfortunate positions at this
time. II is TO these especially that would
urge prompt and energetic action along
the line OF providing a good garden while
"a is yet early in the year. That class Of
our more independent farmers. those who
have full cribs and smOkehOuses OF their
own products. can be safely depended
upon TO guard their interests. as II is only
by living principally at home. that they
have become independent and retained
their independence during these troublous
times.
Il Is not only unpleasant for an agri-
.cl1itural writer TO be compelled BY force
OF circumstances 10 speak so plainly on a
a. -.
liable 20 criticism OF an adverse character.
bv the very people TO whom this advice
II intended and whom IL Is Intended 20
aid.
me truth Is not always pleasant par
tfcularly 10 men who are not doing their
fun duty 70 their families and who also
know IL
But the AGRICULTURAL editor OF farmers
parer occupies an advisory position In his
relation to the subscribers. who are the
readers OF his articles. and Il Is his duty,
whether IL be pleasant or not 20 keep
posted on the acts and dOings OF his con-
stftuencv. and IL mistakes are noted. he
should endeavor TO correct them by point
Cd talks. and seek the cooperation Of all
those interested to avert any growing
evils.
Value Of Kitchen Garden.
Statistics. carefully gathered. shows
ter than any other land OF the same d.
mansions on the premises. To prove this
the census estimates on farm products in
dIcates that the average value OF garden
stun per acre amounts 10 about $4,000.
while that for wheat averages only Sl2-oo,
and corn oats and hay only about 500 per
acre. These average values were taken
from the statistics Of market gardening,
and those confined strictly TO the home
garden must be even larger. because there
should be nothing lost or destroyed from
the latter as the case with cOnsidera-
he amount OF the former. Therefore the
home garden pays much better proper
tionateiy than any part OF the field crops.
II il an undeniahle fact that good gar
den viii furnish at least half the family 5
living. and during the spring and sum-
mer months should furnish three-fourths
OF. the table expenses. Aside from the
value OF the vegetables. the garden fur
nishes a nice source OF enjoyment to
the owner IN watching its growth and de-
velopment- Particularly Is this true II the
garden Is under the care OF the farmer $
wife principally. and the younger mem
hers Of the household. Every effort
should be made to give all pleasant diver
sion possible 20 the inmates. Of the home.