The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-04-30

Important Points 10 he Observed n
Preparation Of soil, Seed
Ing, Etc.

The ideal soil for garden plot, Of
course, is somewhat heavy. sandy
loan, which is retentive Of moisture
and with southern exposure. Prepa-
ration should begin early by the ap-
plication Of 4 liberal dressing of well
rotted manure. There is little danger
OF applying too much. Agood working
Is CARLOAD to every four square rods,
although this amount may be spread
over greater area, and still good re-
suits be attained. Where it is not prac-
ticable to use manure, one may depend
upon commercial fertilizers. Any high
grade fertilizer will answer, and
should be applied at the rate of ten
pounds per square rod. This should
preferably be put on after the ground
il plowed, or spaded, and thoroughly
incorporated with the surface soil by
raking or narrowing, says Good Houses
keeping.
As soon as the frost is out and the
ground can be worked, at least a por-
tion of the garden should be plowed
or spaded for the earliest crops. Deep
working is desirable. Make the sur
face soil fine by raking or narrowing
and then plant the seeds. Much after
work may be saved by a very thorough
preparation before seeding. For
small plots the spade or broad-tined |
fork is the best implement for the first
breaking of the soil, as all portions are
pulveriaed, and there is no undue tread
ing, as when horse is used for plow-
ing.
The work Of preparation and care of
the garden may be much simplified and
iightened by the use Of proper tools.
A hand cultivator will do as effective
work as hoe and about four times as
much in the same space of time. These
tools are now made so as to combine
n one implement seed drill, pIow,
rake and cultiyator with several sizes
d teeth. In garden of 20 rods or
more, one will save enough labor in
season to pay first cost. In addition to +
ms implement, an ordinary hoe, q
'teel tooth rake, spade and garden
Inc one hundred feet long are almost .
necessary implements.
Seeds are important, and only the 4
'est should be bought and planted. /
Deal only with reliable seedsmen- Thel
'est seeds are none too good, and the
oor ones are expensive even as a gift.
liam out the vegetables you wish to
aise, and order the seeds early, before
he varieties which you desire are ex-
austed, for at the end of the season
many kinds are sold out and there is
uch rush for orders as to cause tedf-
us delay.
A few vegetables should be put in
arly, but the bulk Of the garden had
etter wait until settled weather and
anger of frost is over. Some kinds
vegetables germinate best In cool
oii, while the same seed il planted
month later would make poor stand.
mons, beets, peas. parsnips, lettuce
nd radishes can be and should ba
Ianted at the earliest possible oppor.
unity. Cover seed lightly in very early
anting, and as the seedlings grow,
raw more earth to them. A furrow
iree or four inches deep should be
ade for peas, but the seed covered
ith only half an inch of earth. Rath-
than planting a succession of peas.
e writer has had the best succession
making one planting of three or
ur sorts which ripen one after the
her. Some time re saved in
owing crop of lettuce by securing -
rev plants from market gardener
d transplant;ng them. e