Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-03-29
TIMELY HINTS FOR
HOME GARDENER

WASHINGTON, D. ", March 20
A little forethought will enable a
comparatively small tract of land to
supply the average family with fresh
vegetables throughout the growing
season, say specialists in the United
States Department of Agriculture.
Most owners of small gardens are con-
tent to raise single crop on each
plot of land at their disposal. 1t Is
cutie possible, however, to grow two
CT three crops in one season, and If
these are properly selected the home
grown produce will be both better and
cheaper than any that can be pur-
chased on the market.
Just what vegetables are to be grown
depends, of course, upon the individ-
ual tastes of the family. In general It
fey be said, however, that the aim
of the home gardener should be to
raise vegetables in which freshness is
all important quality. Peas and
string or Lima beans, for example, lose
much if they are not cooked immed-
lately after they are picked. On the
other hand as good potatoes can be
bought as can be grown. Moreover,
they occupy large area in proportion
to their yield and consume in back
yard or small garden valuable space
which could be put to much more prof
table use This is true, also of corn,
cucumbers, squashes and melons. It
will also pay the amateur gardener to
grow certain specialties of which he
may be fond, and which may be trou-
blesome or expensive to purchase.
Okra is an example of this class. and
little beds of parsley, chives or Other
herbs take up very little room and
provide the housewife with little addi-
lions for her table which are most wei
come, if they can be picked at the right
moment without rouble.
If the small garden plot, however, Is
to be made to bring the maximum re-
turns in economy and pleasure to the
owner, every available foot Of it must
be made to work continuously This
can be accomplished only by careful
planning and it is recommended, there
fore, that amateur gardeners draw up
in advance a complete layout for their
garden. A typical plan of this char
anIer is shown in the appended dia-
gram. On the plan the gardener should
indicate the date when each of his
projected crops is to be planted. No
| more space should be allotted to each
than is needed to furnish sufficient
quantity of the vegetable for the fam
! lily consumption or for local sale. In
many cases, also, SPACE should be left
between the rows for the inter-plan5-
ing Of later crops and for easy cul-
tivation. Plants which make high
| growth and cause heavy shade should
not be planted where they will inter
fere with sun-loving small plants. Per-
ennials, too, such as rhubarb and as
raragus, which are not cultivated,
should not be grown among plants
which call for tillage.
If a garden is planned in this way
and the scheme carried out, the plan
should be kept for use the following
year. with notes of the success or fail
ire of the different items in it. For
example. if too much or too little OF
any vegetable was grown this fact
should be recorded. 1t is not desirable
however, to follow too closely the
same plan in succeeding years. The
same kind of vegetables should not be
: grown twice, if this can be avoided, in
, tile same part of the garden.
4 convenient form of garden was i'll
q city back yard % by 70 feet in d.
DIMENSIONS. It happened to be bounded
on two sides by board fence. and
this fact was taken advantage of to