The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1908-01-09
HOME VEGETABLE GARDEN.
Worth Many Times Its Cost to Every
Farmers Dinner Table.

FarmerS Dinner able.
Professor J. r. Shinn, horticulturis
of the Idaho Experiment station, Mos
COW, Idaho, in recent letter gave The
following suggestions concerning the
home vegetable garden:
''The vegetable garden should be an
important factor in every farmers nome
throughout the country. 1t will afford
him an economic element in providing
for his family; it will add to the com
fort and happiness of the mother, the
children and himself; and it will do
much toward creating an interest in
farm life if properly planned and man
aged.
"The fact that vegetable garden
will aid in keeping down the expenses
of the home is likely to appeal strongest
to the average man, and for this reason
it demands first consideration In or
der to gain some definite idea Of the ex
act usefulness OF the home garden the
experiment station Of Illinois conducted
experiments with garden for period
OF five years. This garden consisted Of
one-half acre of black prairie soil and
the average net profit for the five years,
after all expenses for seed and labor
had been deducted, was $74 SO per year.
Some years gave less returns than 9TH
ers owing to the effect Of dry seasons
but under irrigation it is probable that
the returns would be much more con-
slant and even higher. During the best
year this plot Of one-half acre gave a
net profit OF $11l ,0o. Where could the
average farmer turn to find more pay
ing use for his ground?
In the matter OF creating happiness
In family and rendering the home
life more comfortable the farmers veg
stabe garden may exercise an import
mt mission. Happiness always comes
% those who are deeply interested in
he things that surround them. II a
armer has fine herd Of Hereford calves
10 Immediately shows his interest by
aking his friends or relatives tc see
hem as soon as they arrive at the
arm; il the wife has something in the
arlor that is attractive and new, no |
ime Is wasted before the guests receive {
about it, and from these
lets the whole household rejoices and 8
ne guests are made glad with them. Z
n like manner the vegetable garden {
lay create another avenue Tor happi- Q
IS. Visitors will undoubtedly enjoy :
icing well kept garden and especial O
: il the number varieties is great and t
le size Of the individual vegetables
tha ,.lo n he will L.
, at its maximum. Then the comfort a
sitting down to meal where vege- n
bles in great variety adorn the table 81
i'll be greeted with the utmost salts h
ciion on the part of guests, but it is .,
the family that gather around the /,
me board three times each day that m
CHI an assortment of food is the most 81
tsfying and comforting. Pork and d
ans may satisfy hunger adequately II
: time, but the same things appear W
& on the table too frequently become r.
stasteful. The average individual az
erefore needs change in his ration Il,
ZEN. No other method is so readily
,essible to the farmer as the garden
meet this demand for variety for his nj
de. m
Aside from the economic value of of
} vegetable garden and the satisfac iii
n it brings to the home, the interest oc
ich it may create in farm life may mi
OF no small moment. Rightly plan en-
! and properly conducted the garden dr.
y furnish the first element that shall ns
crest the farm child in his surround
g. The little tots all enjoy garden ire
king time and no farm garden is an
lplete without certain definite por- ed
rs set aside for the special provision sb,
the children's garden. Here is sht
ore the first lessons in the science of Az
iculture should be taught, and the
Dugh these lessons the very sanest he
brightest children will decide early de,
heir career to follow the calling of viz
II parents. ha,
Viewing the vegetable garden from or
standpoint of its economic value, lio
value as comfort and pleasure to ba,
household, and its usefulness in ore
Using deeper interest in ths farm, be
eho ives every farmer to direct his anc
ntion toward plai ming the garden the
next year during the long evenings ker
is disposal this winter" i