The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-22
SMALL GARDEN PAYS.
Saves Money and Means Freshcr Pro-
ducts for The Keeper.

saves Money and Means FrcShcr Pro-
ducts for The Keeper.
"A half acre devoted to the various
kinds of garden crops would easily
support family with 500 worth of
vegetables during the year. A bounti-
full supply of really fresh vegetables
close at hand, however, is of more
Importance even than the money val
ue. Tho home vegetable garden,
therefore. is worthy Of special atten-
tion and should include n greater
number of 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
declares the bulletin. On the other
hand, 1t is pointed out, 1t may be
necessary to take an undesirable soil
and bring it into suitable condition,
and it is generally surprising to note
the change that can be wrought in a
single season.
Good drainage of the garden area is
of primary Importance, continues the
bulletin. 1T is desirable that the land
have sufficient fall to drain off surplus
water during heavy rains. but the
fall should not be so great that the
soil should be washed. The surface
of the garden should not contain de-
pressions in which water will accumu-
late and stand. Waste water from sur
rounding land should not be allow
ed to drain upon the garden.
The kind of fertilizer employed has
a marked influence on the character
and quality of the vegetables produced
Fertilizers Of organic composition,
such as barnyard manure. should
have passed through the fermenting
stage before being used. Well-rotted
barnyard manure has no equal as a
fertilizer for garden crops. Chicken.
pigeon and sheep manure rank high
as fertilizer. and maure from fowls is
especially adapted for dropping in the
hills or rows of plants.
Autumn is the time for plowing
hard or stiff clay soils. especially if in
a part of the country whe freezing
takes place. Sandy soils will bear
plowing much earlier than heavy clay
soils. The usual test is TO squeeze to-
gcther a handful. and if the soil ad-
heres in ball 1t is too wet for work
ing. Hand spading should be resort
ed to only in very small gardens or
whore 1t is desirable to prepare a
small area very thoroughly.
In planning the location of the va
riCus crops in the garden due con-
s!deration should be given to the sue
ccssion in order that the land may be
occupied at all times. AS rule it
would not he best to have second
planting of the Same crop follow the
first. but some such arrangement as
early peas followed by celery. or early
cabbage or potatoes followed by late
beans or corn, and similar combina-
t!ons are more satisfactory.
Garden seeds should always be
Gown i'm straight rows. regardless Of
" here the planting was made. BY
planting in this manner the seedlings
will he more uniform i'm size and
shape and thinning and cultivating will
be more easily accomplished Some
vegetables among the garden va
ricties comparatively easily cultivat-
cd. arc artichokc. asparagus. beans,
bCcts. BRUSSELS sprouts, cantaloupes.
carrots. cauliilower. cucumbers, sweet
corn, cress. cggplants, cndivc, pota-
toes. lettuce. okra. spinach. parsnips,
peas peppers. squash and onions. From
Washington southward cabbage. cauli-
flower and similar crop are frequent
ly grown on top or on the sides of
ridges. When the plants are set on
top OF the ridge better drainage for
the roots is secured. When set on the
south side of ihc ridge greater warmth
and earlier maturity will be secured
and when planted IN the north side
the growth is retarded.