State Agricultural Society. 331 



cheerfulness and happiness of the family at the meal if a few of these 

 flowers were permitted to ornament the table; they might in this way 

 preoccupy the places in some young mental gardens that would other- 

 wise be usurped by tares and weeds. 



We presume we shall find no one to disagree with us in the proposi- 

 tion that every farmer in the land should have a vegetable garden 

 attached to his house; and we come now to consider the question sug- 

 gested above: "Whether the grain fanners, in the recognized grain dis- 

 tricts of the State where the soil is of a clay or adobe nature, can raise 

 good vegetables with success; and if so, what are the conditions neces- 

 sary to that success?" To the former portion of this interrogatory we 

 have no hesitation in saying yes; and will at once proceed to the con- 

 sideration of the necessary conditions. 



THE WILL. 



ISTo man can succeed in any business unless he has the will to do so. 

 Having determined that an object is worth striving for — in this instance 

 that a good garden is worth the trouble required to make and maintain 

 it, he must thoroughly make up his mind that he will have one; that he 

 will, in the first place, set apart a piece of land to be especially devoted 

 to the garden; that he will enclose it so as to keep out stock of all kinds 

 as well as fowls. A high, tight board fence would insure the double 

 purpose of such inclosure, and as a wind break, which in many places 

 would be a great benefit. Having determined that he will devote the 

 necessary land for the purpose, and that he will give to the garden the 

 required time, the next consideration is i,he 



LOCATION. 



This, for many reasons, should be near the house. Many leisure 

 moments of the farmer himself and of his boys, and hired labor that 

 would otherwise be lost, could thus be turned to good account by work- 

 ing in the garden. Many steps of the housekeeper would also be saved 

 in going to and from the garden to pick the vegetables, and the table 

 would be more likely to be at all times supplied with fresh vegetables, 

 if in the garden. 



Again, a good vegetable garden attached to the house tends to add to 

 it the appearance as well as the realities of home. It concentrates the 

 home attachments, strengthens the domestic feelings, and brings into 

 activity many of the finer virtues. If near the house it will be under 

 the eye and supervision of the household, and will be a pleasant resort 

 for females and children of the family; thus administering to their 

 health and pleasure, by inducing exercise in the open air, as well as by 

 affording agreeable and healthy food. There will also more likely be 

 better taste displayed in the arrangement of the garden and more care 

 and attention bestowed in keeping it in a good state of cultivation if 

 near the house; for the reason that the interest as well as the taste and 

 pride of the wife and daughters will be brought into exercise, and have 

 their influence over those who do the labor. It will also be visited by 

 neighbors and friends, with a view to compare notes and make friendly 

 observations and suggestions; and thus will be kept up a friendly and 

 healthy rivalry in neighborhoods, both as to the general arrangement 

 and surroundings of the house and the quality and early maturity of the 

 products of the garden. For what is more unpleasant to a farmer's 



