The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-07

UNHlAS tANNh0A
operations and the dweller In the city's
outskirts strolls around his vest pocket
size back yard trying to figure how
much produce he can grow on plot
of ground about twice the size OF
lunch cloth, some advice to garden
ers, veterans as wei as beginners, VIII
not be out of place.
The secret of successful gardening
on relatively small areas lies in keep
ing the soil at work during the entire
growing season. This means proper
rotation or succession of crops, proper
cultural methods, a knowledge OF when
and how to use fertilizers, and to work
the soil, and the ability to make
proper selection OF kinds or varieties
of vegeta bles to grow, with avoidance
of those things the growing of which
require large gardens.
No business man would retain
clerk who only worked four or live
months out of the year. But great
many men put in lot or time and
money cultivating graden and tnen
allow the soil to lie idle from the
time the first crop natures until 1t is
time to put in another spring garden.
1t Is a demonstrated fact that with a
two or three-crop system. used in con-
nection with such vegetables as are
adapted to small areas, a plot not
larger than twenty-five by seventy
five feet will produce enough fresh
vegeta oies for an average family's use
during the spring, summer ond fall.
OF course, on ouch a plot it would be
foolish TO try to grow watermelons.
potatoes. sweet corn and such things,
but of beans, peas, tomatoes lettuce,
radishes, onions and similar vegeta-
bles half an acre may easily be made
to yield 500 worth in a summer.
When to Work the Soil.
II the garden was not plowed or
Hpaded last fall, the ground should
be broken as soon as the frost is out
Small areas may be worked with
spade, pushing the blade into It's full
depth and turning the soil to break
up the clods. Heavy coil must never
be worked when wet. overZealous
gardeners, ready to seize the first
warm spell as favorable opportunity
to go out and work a heavy clay soil
before 1t Ia dry, not only waste their
energy. but do a damage TO the soil
from which IL will take years for 1t
to recover. TO determine when heavy
soils are ready for blowing. a hand
full OF earth should be collected from
the surface and the fingers tightly
closed on IT, II the ball of compact
earth liz dry enough for cultivation 1t
will fall apart when the hand ia open
ed.
garden spot near the house is
often more desirable than plot which
is in better tilth. but located at an
inconvenient distance. A garden
which is near the house will receive
many q spare hour Of care from adults
and children which would otherwise
be wasted. Where there is ample
room for the selection of n garden
site. the slope of the land should be
carefully considered. A gentle slope
toward the South Is most desirable for
growing early crops, and 1t is de-
cided advantage TO have the plot pro-
tected on the north and northwest by
either a hill, group of buildings. or
board fence.
Drainage of the garden is OF great
Importance The land should have
sufficient fall to drain off surplus
water during heavy rains and yet not
be so steep that the soil will be wash
ed or quilted. The surface should be
nearly level. so the water will not
stand In holiows.
Preparation and FSrtfiiEing.
Tl,s coil IN the average back yard
liz not only lacking In plant food, but
also has been packed until 1t is hard
and unyfeiding. To loosen up such
soil and make II suitable for garden
ing careful attention must be given
to It's preparation After spading
thoroughly the upper three inches
should be made fine with the use Of
hoe and rake. Stones and rubbish
should be removed and ciods of dirt
broken.
Barnyard or stable manure is the
best fsrtiiissr. because II furnishes
both plant, food and humus. An sp-
pIication at the rate Of from twenty
to thirty tons to the acre OF well-rooted
manure Is very satisfactory, This
should be applied after blowing or
working with a spade, and distributed
evenly over the surface and later
worked in with a hoe and rake. ON
many soils 1t is advisable to apply
commercial fertilizer, especially phos-
phate. in addition TO the manure An
application of 500 to 500 pounds to
the acre OF nitrate of soda usually
sufficient. II additional potash Is
needed. which is often the case with
sandy soils, this may be economically
supplied in the form of wood asres
If the wood ashes are unleached they
should be distributed over the garden
using 1000 pounds to the acre. III
they have been wet or leached, 2,000
pounds should be used. An applica-
ton of 100 pounds to tho acre of nj
| trate of soda may be used in the
| spring to start the plants before the