84 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 



and also portions of crops sold from subiu'ban gardens, 

 which would swell the amount to $4,000,000.00 ; and, remem- 

 ber, tliat this census was taken eight years ago, and that 

 there has been a very large increase in these products since 

 that time. 



From this showing I may assume that from its money value 

 alone as an industry, that it is a subject worthy of your care- 

 ful attention ; and in another point of view its great impor- 

 tance in household economy, as furnishing a great variety of 

 cheap, nutritious, health-giving food, must not by any means 

 be overlooked in estimating its value to the public. 



If we can, by consideration of this subject, devise any 

 methods of culture, or make better known any old methods, 

 by which we all can grow these crops cheaper and better, 

 we shall have accomplished some good to the grower and to 

 the consumer also. 



There are many requisites necessary in gardening. The 

 first, and it is a very important one, is the location, whicli 

 should be near the market to be supplied, and there should 

 be raih'oad and other facilities for quick and cheap trans- 

 portation. 



With such a location it is desirable to have a variety of 

 soils ; for early crops a sandy loam, Avith a slight inclination 

 towards the south, will be found the best, but a heavier soil 

 is suitable for the later crops. 



All soils to grow vegetables well, or in their greatest per- 

 fection, must be well drained either' naturally or artificially. 

 It is impossible to grow fine vegetables in a soil saturated 

 with stagnant water ; the presence of water within a few 

 inches of the surfiice of the land renders it unfit for this pur- 

 pose ; the water makes the soil cold ; no tap-rooted plants 

 can grow in it, and other plants can only wade through a 

 miserable existence. 



Having secured the proper soil, how shall it be worked so 

 as to be in the best possible condition for the growth of 

 plants ? Deep tillage is one of the first things to be secured ; 

 this can be accomplished either by deep ploughing or by 

 trenching. Ploughing is the usual method as trenching 

 is more expensive. 



Deep ploughing must be accompanied by heavy manuring, 



