117 Vegetable Growing in Southern Arizona. 



abundance of water be supplied to the roots. There being no large 

 body of water near to modify the temperature, the difference be- 

 tween summer and winter and between day and night is much 

 greater than in the same latitude near the Coast. For some 

 vegetables the summers are too hot and the winters too cold, only 

 a short period between the extremes being suitable for their 

 growth. The change from the cool weather of winter to the hot 

 weather of summer, and from the latter to the cool weather of 

 autumn being usually very rapid, plants that are adapted to one 

 season are often overtaken by the conditions of the next, and their 

 growth checked before reaching full maturity. Vegetables that 

 can endure neither frost ror extreme heat have but a short period 

 during which to make their growth. Another feature of our 

 climate is the variableness of the seasons, causing what will suc- 

 ceed one year to fail or do poorly the next. 



The peculiar conditions existing here make it important that 

 suitable varieties of each vegetable be sown, — varieties that are 

 adapted to these conditions. Varieties that thrive elsewhere, even 

 in seemingly similar localities, may fail utterly here, while the 

 proper varieties of the same vegetables will succeed. 



Besides the climatic conditions mentioned, there is the ever 

 perplexing question of the proper application, artificially, of the 

 needed water that the clouds fail to furnish; — How much water 

 to apply, how to apply it and when. 



In undertaking vegetable growing, all of the above fac^s need 

 to be taken into consideration. The wise thing to do is to make 

 the most of the natural conditions, expect some failures, and pro- 

 fit by them. Continued effort will usually be rewarded with suc- 

 cess. 



Notwithstanding the difficulties mentioned, fresh vegetables 



may be taken from the garden throughout the year. Those not 

 so situated that they can give regular attention to the vegetable 

 garden will have fewer disappointments, however, and more 

 vegetables for the table, if they depend upon the market gardener 

 for their daily supply. But those who do not reside where they 

 can be served by a gardener, and who for other reasons wish to 

 attempt the growing of their own vegetables, will find it possible 

 to provide for the table those they need, if they devote sufficient 



