The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1914-04-02
DEVELOPING THE HOME GARDEN
As Outlined by Prof F j Crider,
of Clemson College.

IIul1 dllu NSSSldUlC SoAuSh 40 oA> W
the most important problems in con-
nection with the upbuilding of the
horticultural resources of our State.
The home garden paves the way, as
it were, for the larger operations OF
fruit and vegetable growing. 1t is
always thelforerunner of commercial
development. & From it has evolved
all the greatsfruit and vegetable in
terest of the country. Small and
unpretentious..as it may appear, ii
has been the trial ground and propa,
eating field where the fitness of num-
erous given sorts have been proven
and where almost all of our varieties
of high. quality and commercial
merit have been produced.
In view of the fact that fruit and
fresh vegetables are appreciated by
all classes of lpeople, in the city,
town and scountry, it is surprising
how little attention is given to the
growing of them by those who have
the proper facilities and locations at
their command. Both of these
healthful products of the garden
should have regular and perman-
ent place on the family bill of fare,
but in many instances their culture
has been neglected to such an extent
that theyl,are considered almost a
luxury. Instead of seeing, as one
travels throughout our State, orch
ards containing the best varieties of
practically all the different kinds of
fruit maintained in a thrifty condi-
ton, what do we see? In the ma
jority of cases, we see only a few
trees of the commonest kinds of
fruit occupying the waste corners
about theIhome grounds or standing
here and there in the cotton and
corn fields with every evidence of
neglect. Instead of seeing well
kept gardens, producing in abun-
dance variety of fresh vegetables
for the table every day in the year,
what do we see? All too often we
see in the spring only few of the
hardy vegetables such as cabbage,
onions and turnips. In the mid
summer a few of the frost tender
sorts, as beans, tomatoes and
squashes, and little later IN the
season a bountiful crop of weeds.
Most farmers and suburban dwell
ers make some effort to grow fruit
and vegetables for home use, but in
the majority of cases they do not
grow enough to supply their families,
and that which they do grow is often
inferior in quality. 1t is common
sight to observe people on their way
home from town stop at the corner
grocers for a choice head of lettuce
or basket of strawberries, when on
ground distance of less than one
hundred yards from their kitchen,
they could have growing. fresh and
juicy, very much superior product.
Not infrequently, there are those
who have every opportunity to grow
and preserve any amount of fruit
and vegetables that purchase a con-
slant supply of canned goods of this
nature. Think of it! In land
like ours, where these things grow
so easily and cheaply, people order
ing canned fruits and vegetables
from the wholesale houses of our
large cities, paying for the cans, the
canning, the freight. and besides
getting an inferior product.
The opinion has become all too
prevalent among the people of this
State that our section is not one
where high class fruit and veget-
ables can be grown. We exclaim
when we see the beautiful packages
of fine well-pIaced fruit and veget-
ables sent in" from other parts of
the country South Carolina can
not grow such produce" !" The fault,
however, does not lie with our State,
but with ourselves. We have all