766 



Rural School Leaflet 



A HOME GARDEN 



Edward M. Tuttle 



To the boy or girl who has decided 

 to keep a home garden this year, the 

 following suggestions will be helpful : 



1. Make up your mind to do the best 

 you can with the piece of ground avail- 

 able, no matter what its size may be. 

 If you may have all you want, it is 

 better not to take more than you can 

 easily handle. 



2. If possible, plan the garden so that 

 the rows may be long even if more 

 than one thing is planted in a single 

 row. If you can drive, plan the garden 

 so that horse tools may be used. At any 

 rate, plan for wheel hand tools. 



3. Begin early in the spring to put 

 the soil in shape. 



4. Clear off all weeds, stones, brush, 

 and other rubbish. 



5. Spread a good coating of manure 

 on the surface before stirring. 



6. Plow or spade the manure in thor- 

 oughly. 



7. Work the soil until it is level and 

 smooth and mellow. It is easier to 

 cultivate before than after planting the 

 seed. 



8. Read the article on soils in this 

 leaflet, so that you will understand when and why to cultivate. 



9. Plant whatever you like to plant in your garden. Have a good 

 variety. Plan for a succession of such things as peas, radishes, lettuce, 

 and the like. A table showing time and depth of planting is given in this 

 leaflet. 



10. Talk about the garden with your father and your mother. They 

 will be glad to tell you and to show you about it; but you must do the 

 real work yourself. 



11. Tend your garden faithfully. Never let the weeds get a start. 

 Thin the plants in order to give them room. Study your garden. You 



;^^<r«y^^ 



ni^ml^^ 



