The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-04-26

Soils in good filth and well supplied
with plant food produce the best gar
dens. Successful gardens, however,
can be grown on all kinds of soil from
light sands to mucks and heavy clays.
It is often possible to select site
with soil that will yield better results
with less labor than nearby plats with
less favorable soils. Good soil is es-
sential to successful garden. If the
soil in the selected garden site is poor,
it must be put into good condition be-
fore satisfactory results can be ex-
pected. Even where the soil is good
to start with, it will be necessary to
spend considerable time in improving
it by cultivation and fertilization be-
fore 1t Is In first-class condition for
the production of vegetables.
A sandy loan is an excellent type
of garden soil. Sandy soils, as a rule,
warm up earlier than others in the
spring, and enable the gardener to
plant his crops early. Soils too sandy
dry out very rapidly and the crops
are liable to suffer from drought.
The lay of the land has considerable
influence upon the time when the soil
can be worked, and gentle slope to-
ward the south or southeast is most
desirable for the production of early
crops. 1t is an advantage to have on
the north and northeast q hill, group
of trees, some evergreens, a hedge,
buildings, tight board fence, or a.
stone wall in order to break the force
Of the wind.
Drainage Is Important.
Good drainage of the garden area
is of prime Importance. If this does
not exist naturally, it may be sup
piled by tillage or by artificial drains.
The surface of the land should have
sufficient fall to drain off surplus wa
ter during heavy rains, but the fall
should not be so great that the sell
will be washed. On hillsides wash
ing can be overcome to considerable
extent by comforting the rows so as to
cause the rains to run off slowly. The
garden should not contain depressions
in which water will accumulate or
stand. If the surface Is irregular,
little soil can be taken from high
places and the low ones filled. Waste
water from surrounding land should
not now toward the garden, and the
fall below should be such that there
will be no danger of 1t backing up.
A garden site on the banks of a creek
or stream that will be liable to over
flow during the growing season should
not be selected If any other land can
be had.
A good fence around the garden plat
is almost indispensable. 1t should
protect the crops from all farm ami
mails, including poultry, and should
be tight enough to keep out rabbits.
The question of proximity to the
house is Of as great Importance in
locating the garden as the character
and contour of the ground. In every
case it should be as near as possible,
so that the work Of caring for the
crops may be done at odd times and
the vegetables quickly secured by the
housewife. A kitchen garden located
near the kitchen door Is convenience
in thousands of homesteads. 1t is de-
sirable even where separate larger
garden is utilized for the production
of the main portion Of the vegetable
supply for the family.
Importance Of Sunlight.
In selecting the location for the
garden and in planning the arrange
ment Of the crops, the gardener should
understand that no amount of fertiliz-
err, watering and care will replace sun
shine. Careful consideration should
be given to how many hours day any
part of the proposed garden space is
shaded. AS a rule, foliage crops.
such as lettuce, kale and spinach, do
fairly well in partial shade, but must
have a minimum Of three hours of
sunshine day. Plants which ripen
fruits, such as the tomato and egg
plant, should have a minimum of five
hours sunshine each day.