Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-08-04
No. 7. Garden Management.
By J. 5. Knox, Extension Horticultur lst, University of Arkansas and
 U. $. Dept. of Agriculture.

VI oai AarnerS Tall in their garden operations. It makes no difference now favorable location we may have now Ideal the soil or how abundant the rainfall, one cannot hope to meet with the greatest success in his gar. oen work unless he manages it in the pest possible way. If property managed half acre plot of good soil IS sufficiently large to supply a good- sized family with all the fresh vege- i tables they will need throughout the year. However, if the plot is managed In the way most of the home gardens or the state are at the present time, 1t will require two acres to grow a similar amount of vegetables.
 Planting. The question of when and how to plant the different vege. tables may be of interest to many gardeners over the state. One of the first things to determine is whether the vegetables are frost tender or frost hardy; that is, are they killed by frost or will they withstand such with. out injury. Vegetables belonging to the frost hardy group are such as peas (garden). beets, lettuce, radishes and onions. These can be planted very early in the spring without dan. ger of being killed by ordinary frost. The frost tender vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, egg plant, beans, corn, etc., cannot be planted in the open until danger of frost is about past. However, it is good idea to start some of these in the hot bed early so that the plants will be large enough to set out by the time the weather becomes sufficiently warm.
 The depth to plant the different vegetable seed depends largely upon the size of the seed. The small seed like celery should not be covered more than one-eighth of an inch while for large seed like beans or peas two to three inches deep will not be 700 great. The fine seed also require that the soil be placed in the finest possi- ble condition.
 Cultivation. Cultivation in the gar. den should be frequent, but shallow. It is not considered advisable to cul- tivate more than two or three inches deep, but the whole garden should be gone over at least once every ten days. This will keep down all weed growth and at the same time prevent the es- cape of moisture from the soil. There are many kinds of implements on the market that are suitable for garden work. Generally speaking, an imple- ment that pulverizes the soil thor oughly and at the same time throws very little dirt, and leaves the ground in level condition is the best type to use. Cultivate as soon as possible after each rain, but do not blow the ground when it is too wet. Hand inn plements are necessary to keep tne weeds out of the row. Do not cultivate the garden while the plants are wet with dew, as it is good way to spread diseases.
 Soil. The ideal garden soil Is one that is of sandy loam nature and containing an abundant supply of or. ganic matter. This type of soil is of ten not found in nature. In fact, there are many sections where first class garden soil does not exist Fortunate ly, however, we can take very poor soil that has good subsoil and build it up so that it will produce excellent crops of vegetables. There is no fer. purpose than the stable manure, a small supply of which is generally found on almost every farm. The ma- nure should be applied broadcast over the ground and this turned under some time before the planting is to be done. This will give it time to rot before the plants are to occupy the ground. Most of our gardens need to be broken deeper, thus giving a greater capacity for water and lessen. ing the danger of drought during the summer. When planting time comes on a supply of we'll rotted manure should be on hand so that we can apply some in the row before plant ing. It is necessity to have the soil made as fertile as possible because this induces rapid succulent growth and hence produces vegetables of the highest possible quality. A vegetable grown on a poor soil is almost invaria. bly, tough and stringy, while those grown on the fertile soils are tender. crisp, and palatable. No other part of the farm is equal in importance to the home garden. Let us make 1t pro- duce more.
 We know that Arkansas can and does produce some of as high quality vegetables as are grown in any sec tion of the United States. This is proved by the fact that here ana there over the state we find farmers who, on a small one-fourth to one half acre of land, are growing all tho vegetables that the family can use the year round. It is now time to De- gin the work for the fall and winter garden.