Mexico weekly ledger., 1916-03-16
FrxING YOUR GARDEN

FIXING YOUR GARDEN
Washington, D. c., March EVEN
the smallest back yard may be made
to yield a supply Of fresh vegetables
for the family table at but slight ex-
pense If two or three crops are sue
eessively grown to keep the area Oc-
eupied all the time, according to the
garden specialists of the U. S. Depart
ment Of Agriculture. People VINO
would discharge a clerk if be did not
work the year round viii often cults
waite a garden at no little trouble and
expense and then allow the soil to lie
idle from the time the first crop ma
lures until the end Of the season.
Where a two or three crop system is
used in connection with vegetables adj
apted to small areas, a space no
larger than 25 by 70 feet viii pro-
duce enough fresh vegetables for a
small family. Corn, melons, cucum-
bers and potatoes and other crops
which require a large area should not
be grown in a garden Of this size.
Half an acre properly cultivated with
a careful crop rotation may easily pro-
duce 500 worth Of various garden
crops in a year.
When to Work the Soil
II the garden was not broken in the
fall it should be pIowed in the spring
as soon as the frost is out Of the
ground. Small areas may be worked
with a spade, pushing the blade into
its full depth and turning the soil to
break up the clods. Heavy soils should
never be worked when wet. Over
jealous gardeners, ready to sieze the
first warm spell as a favorable oppor-
tunity to 60 out and work the heavy
clay soil before it is dry, are not only
wasting their energy, but are doing a
damage to the soil from which it will
take years for it to recover. To de-
termine when heavy soils are ready
for blowing a handful of earth should
be collected from the surface and the
fingers tightly closed on it. If the
ball Of compact earth is dry enough
for cultivation, it viii fall apart when
the hand is opened.
A garden spot near the house is
often more desirable than a plot which
is in better filth but located at an in
convenient distance. A garden which is
near the house viii receive many a
spare hour Of care from adults and
children which would otherwise be
wasted. Where there is ample room
for the selection of a garden site, the
slope Of the land should be carefully
considered. A gentle slope towards
the South is most desirable for grow
ing early crops, while it is a decided
advantage to have the plot protected
on the north and northwest by either a
hill, a groupe Of buildings or a board
fence.
Drainage of the garden is Of great
importance. The land should have
sufficient fall to drain of surplus
water during heavy rains and yet not
be SO steep that the soil viii be wash
ed or quilted. The surface should be
nearly level so the water will not
stand in hollows. Where the natural
slope Of the land does not provide
sufficient natural drainage. bitches
! may be dug or . tile drain put in.
This wii prevent waste water from
the adjoining land from washing over
Z It Such water may carry weed grass
seed into the garden, which are later
culled out with difficulty.
The soil in the back yard is not
only lacking in plant food but also has
been packed until It is hard and UNI
yieldisg. TO loosen Up such soil and
make It suitable for garden produce
requires that careful attention be
given to its preparation. After
!, spading the enclosure thoroughly. the
upper three inches should be made
fine with the use Of a hoe and rake.
Stones and rubbish should be remov-
ed and eIods Of dirt broken. The sur
face should be made even and as level
: AIS possible. It may then be marked
Of for planting IN conformity with
the general plan Of the garden.
Batnyard Or, stable manure is the
best ss zer Bscahse IL furnishes
sf6sth plant c9d and minus. This
soaid, 6G Aied after plowing- or
working with a. spade, and distfiout-
/. ed evenly over the surface and later
worked in with q hoe and rake. On
many soils it is advisable to apply
commercial fertilizer, especially phos-
phate, in addition TO the manure.
gneeial big yaIuos In Pencil tablets