4 



350 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



certain fiold tliat was not doing its duty, and as we approached and 

 noticed conditions I could not lielp but feel that a little lime would 

 do it good and so suggested, and the point was well taken. 



In further consideration of the soil as a factor in successful pro- 

 duction we must not overlook the act of cultivation. This is an all 

 important operation and must be done at the proi)er time if the crop 

 is to be kept free from weeds and in a good growing condition at 

 the least cost. It is important to keep the soil well stirred both to 

 conserve moisture and dew-elppe plant food. There are times through 

 the growing season that if this is neglected only for a few days it 

 will result in considerable loss. 



Every crop from seeding and planting time until harvesting must 

 be watched with an eagle eye. The method employed in producing 

 certain crops successfully last season may have to be modified in 

 growing the same crops this season. Insects, pests and fungus dis- 

 eases require no little vigilance, and we must know how to meet 

 them and be ready to meet them. Eotation should be carefully ob- 

 served. Aside from many other benefits it means renovation. This 

 fact was forcibly brought home to me several years ago in taking 

 hold of a large garden where rotation was regarded of little conse- 

 quence. And of all the diseases, insect pests, maggots and what not, 

 made me almost feel like giving up in despair. But the following 

 year we sought refuge in another location, practiced rotation and 

 eliminated many former troubles. 



It goes without saying that to produce bountiful crops and crops 

 of quality and appearance we have to fertilize heavily, and stable 

 manure is the truckers great stand-by. And yet as cheaply as this 

 may be placed upon our gardens, I believe that an intelligent use of 

 commercial fertilizer is profitable. And the gardener should be his 

 own mixer. He should experiment with the plant food elements 

 singly and in combination upon the crops that are his money makers. 

 It may be a little easily available nitrogen will do wonders, es- 

 pecially in the early spring when nitrification is not active. Taking 

 the average of 18 or 20 of the main garden vegetal)les, and we find 

 that manure as it comes from the stable is practically a balanced ra- 

 tion for them. And yet experience teaches us that an a])plication of 

 phosphoric acid in connection with the manure is greatly beneficial. 

 We may find too that potash will be helpful upon some soils and 

 upon certain crops. And so for the man who uses commercial fer- 

 tilizer, there is no reason why he should go it blindly. Let him ask 

 intelligently of the soil and it will respond through the various crops 

 with all the ai)ititude of nature. 



Another factor that is altogether vital in the market garden is 

 the seed proposition. Its importance cannot be too strongly em- 

 l)hasized. Men of experience can trace many a crop failure to the 

 purchasing of bad seed. There are many discouragements to en- 

 counter in the market garden, but not a few are offset by taking 

 the proper precaution at this point. The mere fact that seeds ger- 

 minate does not tell the whole story. I know a gardener who set 

 two acres in cabbage and at harvest time there were good cabbages, 

 brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and everything between. Wliatever 

 seeds have to be bought should be bought early. Have nothing but 

 high grade and be willing to pay well for them. Most growers have 

 a few kinds in which they are especially interested, and are selected 



