The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-05-07
The Farmers Gardens.


staple crops take up the whole of their
time, many of them depend for their
supply of vegetables upon the markets
of the large cities. Whether 1t is more
profitable for farmers to grow their
vegetables than to buy them is mat
ter which they no doubt well under
stand, but 1t Is doubtful If any farm
Ell can buy produce OF any kind that
will he equal in quality to that which
can be produced on the farm and used
as required, fresh from the garden.
The fact that gardeners with small
tracts of land can devote labor and
extra fertilizer TO the production of va
r.ous vegetables is evidence that
there is a large profit in their work,
and It is also evident that If the farm
~''.~ ~o~'i"0 Of their time
TO garden work 1t will be equally
g. -.~-.-, dS tney have n
market at their homes for The articles.
Farmers do not make use of vegetables
as freely when they are purchased as
waen they are produced at home, and
some OF them practice self-denial be-
cause it may not be convenient to pro-
cure the articles desired Vegetables
that are sent outside of the large mar
kets for distribution in smaller towns
or villages are not always fresh and in
prime condition, some articles, such as
small fruits tomatoes, etc, being per-
ishable and liable to decomposition.
their quality being very different
from similar articles that can be trans
fored directly from the garden to
the table. Even If the cost of n gar
den appeared greater than the value
OF the vegetables and fruits purchased,
there is notning that will compensate
for quality
Nearly all farmers object to the use
Of the hoe, spade and rake. They will
not employ hand labor ii the horse
be made to do the work required for
a garden by laying of the rows of
sufficient width to permit of the use
CT the horse hoe, and II long rows are
planted there will bo bu. few turns.
A garden need not be square, for a
long strip will answer sully as wch
VITA the improved seed drills now
used, which will plant all kinds of gar
den seeds, having markers to each.
for marking the succeeding rows, only
the first row need be laid off with a
line. and cultivation can then be done
easily and with but little cost for
labor.
For an ordinary family, if long rows
are used, a single row each of peas,
carly cabbage, tomatoes. string beans,
loets, parsnips and Lima beans will
produce all that may be required.
There is no reason why celery, onions.
strawberries, raspberries and egg
plants may not also be added and
asparagus as well. though they may
take little more labor. Potatoes and
carrots are not regarded as garden
crops, though few rows of sweet
corn should not he left out. Melons
will not give good results unless
grown on light. sandy soil, and the
same Is true of sweet potatoes. The
tomato is crop that thrives we'll on
nearly all soils. and should be grown
on every farm, even If no other gar.
del crop Is selected, tor the reason
that when It begins to bear it gives
a supply until frost comes. and may
be used fresh on the table and also
supply an abundance of fruit for can
ming. There is nothing that can be
grown that will give so much in pTc
portion to cost of production and ai.A
of land occupied as the tomato, nor is
there anything that a farmer can grow
that can surpass It for the variety OF
purposes for which II can be used, as
Il Is not only wholesome. but highly
relished in every form in which it may
be brought upon the table.
Every article that can be produced
or ihe farm IL so much saved. because
the farmers labor is an item in Ii,
production OF vegetables. but when H.
Luys such he sends mis- money of
the farm. The first duty farme,
owes to himself Is to supply his table
with every article that he can produce
for himseif.--Philadelphia Record.