Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-07-30
cultivatins a Small Garden.

old nursery of fruit and ornamental
trees. 1t contains about IL square
rods over an acre, but the buildings
lawn, driveways and walks occupy
nearly half, so that there is little more
than half an acre that can be cultivat.
ed. When bought it was entirely GOV.
cred by trees and grass, and largely
witchgrass at that. The only portion
that is now clear of trees was covered
with large oaks, elms, naples, Norway
spruces and other evergreens, planted
as pecimens for ornament and exhibit;
ton. Some of these were more than
two feet in diameter. The land was
worthless for cultivation while so
densely shaded by the trees. There
were dozen apple trees past their
prime, and about 80 pear trees, many
The house had been rented and the
land neglected for many years. The
successful operation Of this rather un.
promising little farm near Boston is
described by A. w. Cheever in the
New York Tribune
1
fer, remarked that would find enough
to do in fixing up things to keep me
busy for more than a year. l found
he was correct. The forest trees have
all been taken out by the roots, so have
half the fruit trees. Others were
grated to better varieties. OF
small fruits there were none. AS my
aim was to have as good a garden as
could make, a stock of currant,
gooseberry, blackberry raspberry,
grape and strawberry plants were pro-
cured and planted as fast as the land
receive them. Rhubarb and asparagus
were also given a liberal area. Like
most planters Of home fruit gardens,
we soon found out that liberal plant
ing, with good after-culture, generally
brings bigger harvest than the fam.
lily can dispose of. This is particularly
true in regard TO fruit trees for the
family garden. When men order from
travelling statesmen all the varieties Of
apples, pears, peaches, plums, grapeA
and other small fruits that the dealer
says they ought to have, they seldom
realize what an amount of fruit even a
single mature tree is capable of pro.
ducing, nor how much room a tree
needs in which to spread its branches.
After killing the grass and rotting
the sod by good cultivation and manur-
ing the land for hoed vegetables, the
fruit trees seemed to take a new lease
of life, and soon set me to finding
market outside the family demands,
On account of other engagements fol-
several years, the garden received my
attention only a part of the time, and
the surplus product above the needs OF
our two families of persons was not
large, but during the last half-dozen
years or more, with little to interfere
with giving the land constant care. I
must say that have been surprised at
the amount Of product possible from a
small garden. The crops last year
came from five mature apple trees, %
nears, seven plums, IL peaches, Is
ounce trees. Is blackberry plants, 20
gooseberry bushes. as many raspberry
bushes and IS grapevines. The berry
bushes all stand between the rows of
larger fruit trees. Strawberry plants
occupy spaces between the other small
fruits.
There is also some room for sweet
corn, beans, peas and root crops be-
tween the lows of fruit trees and grape
vines Part of the grapes are grown
on treiises attached to the south sideof
buildings. One corner of the ground
is kept open for such crops as require
plenty of sunshine and free circula-
tion Of air. Here, in a protected spot,
a dozen or more saches are used in
early spring for hot-beds and cold
frames. A liberal area in a corner of
the fruit ground is inclosed for a poul-
try yard, in which are kept a flock of
from 80 to 40 hens during the sum-
mer, SO that here no vegetables can
be grown. 1t has been my aim to see
now great product the half-acre under
cultivation could be made to yield.
Double cropping is practiced wherever
1t IS practicable. Our families are not
strictly vegetarians, but are large con. +.
sumers of fruit and other garden prod. |
ucts. A large saving is thus made in
the meat bills. All surplus from the
kitchen garden is readily taken BY the
neighbors, who appreciate as we do
ourselves, the difference between veg.
etables taken direct from the garden
and such as nave been injured in flavor
by long keeping. Ny fruits are the
best have known how to select and
grow, many OF the varieties being TOO
tender for shipping, but all the better
for home use or market at the door.
1t is now 10 years since I have had
an annual surplus of crops to dispose
OF, and in that time the sales have
amounted to more than $1,000 At
hrst the amount was small. but it has
increased from year to year with more
or less regularity. -Four years ago if
reached s179. and had come near this,
nsure twice before supposed that J
. mad found the limit. but three years
ago more than $3.50 came in. Last
wear tho