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Reports of Local Socibtiks. 245 



more arable by subsoiling or trenching, and the application of 

 wood ashes, sand and manure. On clayey soils, good drainage 

 must be secured or the soil will become sour and sodden, and 

 derive but little benefit from fertilizers. Every fall after the 

 crop is gathered in, all rubbish and weeds should be cleared off 

 and a liberal coat of well-rotted manure spread over and plowed 

 under. This fall plowing is for clay and the heavier soils. Sand 

 is better not plowed until spring, but would be benefited by ma- 

 nuring in fall. Plow again in spring as early as the frost is out 

 and the ground is dry enough to work. During the summer no 

 weeds should be allowed to grow and mature their seeds or afford 

 harbors for noxious insects. 



We will now suppose that we have located, fenced and manured 

 a spot for a garden of an acre, more or less, as we estimate our 

 wants and ability to attend to it. It is well to bear in mind that a 

 small garden thoroughlv cultivated is better than a lar^e one 

 neglected. Xow, what shall we plant, and how shall we manage 

 it? If it comprised an acre of ground, I should devote at least 

 one-third of it to the growing of summer fruits. To facilitate 

 cultivation with the use of a horse, I should plant everything 

 that will do as well in long rows instead of square plats. It 

 would be well to lay off a border on the north side and the two 

 ends, or all around, six or eight feet wide, chiefly for a permanent 

 plantation of fruits or perennial plants, having a three or four 

 foot walk inside, separating it from the remainder or the garden, 

 and for convenience in using a wheelbarrow, turning the horse 

 in cultivating, etc. 



In making the permanent plantation commence on the north 

 side at the end nearest to the dwellinor. First leave room for 

 hot beds and cold frames, also a little spot for early lettuce and 

 radishes; next plant a few roots of rhubarb or pie-plant for pies 

 and sauce before the early fruits mature. The remainder of the 

 north border set with two-year-old grape vines, six feet apart and 

 three feet from the fence. The east and west borders are best 

 kept for strawberry beds, digging up and renewing a portion of 

 them each year. Xext I would commence upon the south side 

 and plant one hundred or more black raspberries four feet from 



