72 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



I Still follow the plan of deep-setting the vine, and have never had 

 occasion to change my mind in relation to it. I get earlier tomatoes by 

 letting the vines lie close to the ground with a little brush under them, but 

 for late ones prefer to tie to stakes. 



Turnips. — For early market, have never yet found anything as good 

 as Red-top Strap-leaf, sowed same time as radish. 



The foregoing list comprises those varieties of vegetables which I am 

 best acquainted with, and which I am most successful with. 



In my experience it is not so much the area of land the gardener cul- 

 tivates that makes him his profits, as the care which he bestows upon it. 



Thorough culture, plenty of manure properly applied, care in the 

 selection of soils, and the seed that he plants therein, are the principal 

 points he must consider. And through them, and them only, may he 

 expect to line his pockets with profits, if he line them at all. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



E. C. HATHEWAY. 



Mr. H. K. ViCKROY (of Normal) read the following paper on the 

 same subject : 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 



I have little, if anytliing, new to report, and especially to such an audi- 

 ence as is before me. The different modes of treating or handling plants 

 for the market and kitchen garden have been pretty thoroughly written up 

 and discussed in previous meetings, and published in the Society's Trans- 

 actions, so I feel at a loss to know just what to say that would be inter- 

 esting or of value. I think it is generally admitted that a good garden 

 is a household necessity. Those deprived of a good garden are to be 

 pitied. It seems to me that this luxury is within the reach of every one 

 who owns a square rod of vacant ground. 



Vegetables of nearly all varieties have been plentiful, and of fair to 

 good quality, and in consequence prices have been very low. Late pota- 

 toes have been pretty scarce, owing, I think, in a great measure, to the 

 very wet season. The ground was so wet they could not be cultivated, 

 and there was not nearly so many planted as last season. Last season 

 they were so plentiful they could hardly be given away. I have observed 

 for a number of years where a vegetable, or anything else raised in the 

 garden or upon the farm, was in excess one season, that the following 

 year it would be in the other extreme. So I would advise those growing 

 vegetables for the market, to raise about the same quantity each season, 

 until they are satisfied that variety will not pay, taking a series of years 

 together. 



In order to make the most of the garden for supplying the market 

 and our own tables with all the vegetables of the season, it requires//^;?/)' 

 of ^(9^rt(' manure, ^^^^f' seeds, purchased from reliable seedsmen, or saved 

 from the best specimens of our own growing; and plant none but the 

 best and strongest plants, if it costs you twice as much to grow or pur- 

 chase them. I would not plant a poor plant in the garden, or anywhere 



