Gilpin observer., 1917-07-12
EXPERT SUGGESTIONS
ON GARDENING

Keep the paths between plots clean
free from stones and weeds, not only
to insure easier moving about, bur
TO provide better drainage in case OF
severe storms, and to give the gar
dens neater appearance. rc -
Thinning and Wedding. IA f
AS seed is usually sown too thick
thinning of plants is necessary in or.
der to give each plant sufficient light
air and food. In the case OF lettuce
and similar crops, the first plants
to develop should be pulled early and
thus give the later ones a chance to
develop. N4. asMrs er,rT
Cultivation is the stirring of the
surface soil so that layer of loose
and finely divided soil is always over
the top of your garden. Such a layer
not only checks the evaporation of
| creases action by bacteria makes
plant foods more available, keeps the
soil at more even temperature, per-
mits the access of air to the soil. In
cultivatipg too the weeds will be kill
ed or cut off.
The best time to cultivate garden
soil is just after it has dried slight
ly, following a rain; but it should be
worked at least once week, as 9TH
erwise the surface will get hard and
crusty. Never work a soil when it
is wet, as hard clods will form. and
your garden will prove disappoint-
ment. sufI sq~
Practice level cultivation. The prac-
tice Of "hilling up vegetable plants,
SO that the garden is a series of
ridges is an old practice and its use
should be discontinued. In thinning
and wedding your garden do net al
lew the material taken out TO lie be-
tween the rows or in the path as
this only encourages diseases and in
sect pests. Carry It to the back lot
and pile it there to rot. at rIs
Borders Of the Garden.
Too many gardens have untidy edg-
es-full of weeds and rubbish. Most
of these weeds are simply harboring
places for insects, as well as helping
to increase the growth of fungus dis.
eases. Cut down and destroy these
weeds. 1t may not only save you
frcm pests but will give ycur garden
a better appearance.
Pick your vegetables while they are
small, as soon as large enough to eat
they become less tender with in
crease in size. The secret of produc-
ing tender, we'll Favored vegetables
is to grow them quickly and eat
them soon after they are picked.
Remember: Do not waste any ex.
cess vegetables grown in your gar
den. Can or dry them; or II the
time for canning does not suit you,
make arrangements with your gro
ceryman to relieve you OF excess
supply.
Successive Planting.
Do not allow any part Of your gar
den to lie idle; follow one planting
with another either the same or an
other vegetable. Many late crops
may be planted from the middle of
July to the middle Of August.
You can harm more than you can
help garden by light applications
of water as such watering only moist
ems the surface. Water less often
and very thoroughly is a good plan
to follow. Turn up little sell af-
ter watering to see whether you have
really supplied the roots of the plants
with the moisture they need.
Insects and Diseases.
Both insects and diseases are al
mcst sure TO appear in any garden.
Often in small garden it is easier
to protect the plants than to kiln the
insects. Many of the larger worms
and caterpillars may be Knocked off
the plants and tramped on. Hand
picking of insects Is an efficient
method in the small garden.
METHODlSr CAlIRCA NOTES.