The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-06-25
n HALF ACRE devoted to the vari-
n GUS kinds of garden crops would

"a GUS kinds of garden crops would
easily supply family with one
hundred dollars worth of vegetables
during the year. A bountiful supply Of
really fresh vegetables close at hand
however, is of more Importance even
than the money value The home vege-
table garden, therefore, is worthy of
special attention and should include a
greater number and variety of crops.
Where there is considerable choice in
the location of the garden plot, it is
often possible to select land that will
require very little special preparation.
On the other hand, it may be necessary
to take an undesirable soil and bring il
into suitable condition, and it is gener-
ally surprising to note the change that
can be wrought in single season.
Good drainage Of the garden area is
OF primary Importance. 1t is desirable
that the land have sufficient fall to
drain off surplus water during heavy
rams, but the fall should not be 80 great
that the soil would be washed. The sur
face of the garden should not contain
depressions in which water will accum-
ulate and stand Waste water from
surrounding land should not be allowed
to drain upon the garden. A good fence
around the garden spot is indispensab BILE
and 1t should be a safeguard against all
animals, especially poultry. A tight
board fence viii accomplish this result
and also serve as 2 windbreak.
Glasses of Fertilizer.
The kind of fertilizer employed has
a marked influence on the character and
quality of the vegetable produced. Fer
tilizcrs or organic composition, such as
barnyard manure, should have passed
through the fermenting stage before be-
ing used. Well-rotted barnyard manure
has no equal as a fertilizer for garden
crops. Chicken, pigeon and sheep na-
nure rank high az fertilizer, and manure
from fowls is especially adapted for
dropping in the hills or rows of plants.
Autumn is the time for blowing hard
or stiff clay soils, especially If in part
of the country where freezing takes
place, as the action of the frost during
the winter will break the soil into fine
particles and render it suitable for
planting. Sandy loans and soils that
contain large amount of humus may be
plowed in the spring, but the work
should be done early in order that the
soil may settle before planting.
Sandy soils will bear plowing much
earlier than heavy clay soils. The usu-
al test is to squeeze together a handful
and if the soil adhercs in ball it is
too wet for working. In the garden
greater depth of plowing should be prae
ticed than for ordinary farm crops, as
the roots of many vegetables grow deep
ly into the soil, Subsoiling will be found
advantageous in most cases. as the
drainage and general movement of the
soil moisture will be improved thereby.
Locating Crops.
Hand spad.ng should be resorted to
only in very small gardens, or where it
is desirable to prepare small area very
thoroughly
After plowing, the next important
step is to smooth and pulverize the soil.
If the soil be well prepared before
planting, the work of caring for the
crops will be very materially essened.
1t is not sufficient that the land be
smooth and fine on top, but the pulver
izing process should extend as deep as
The plowing
In planning the location of the vari-
BUS crops in the garden, due considera-
hon should be given to the matter of
in order that the land may
be occupied at all times. As rule it
would not be best to have second /,
planting of the same crop follow the :.
first, but some such arrangement as i.
'arly peas followed by celery, Or early
'abbage or potatoes followed by late
Jeans or corn, and similar combinations
IRE more satisfactory.
Sow in Straight Rows.
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