318 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
A FARMER’S GARDEN. 
Fruits and Vegetables, 
WM. SOMERVILLE, VIOLA. 
We should have one acre set apart for that purpose well enriched 
and as near the house as possible for convenience, and we should 
have it plowed in the fall. When the ground is dry enough to culti- 
vate, we should thoroughly drag and then take a half day for gar- 
den work. 
First, we want to plant some lettuce, some onions, some peas, also 
some potatoes; as light frosts do not injure these, we can plant 
early. Ithink it always best to plant in drills, as it is easier to cul- 
tivate. 
An asparagus bed is needed also. We can buy the plants very 
reasonably, or, if we want to grow from seed, we can do that by 
putting the seedsin a box, the same as we do cabbage, in the house. 
Then, in early spring when the plants are large enough to set out, 
it is best to set them in rows and grow them one year; then prepare 
the ground the next year, say, a rod square, manure heavily and 
then, with a spade, dig it all over at least a foot deep, thoroughly © 
mixing the manure as you spade. Set the plants one foot apart 
each way, putting the crown three inches below the surface. The 
first summer cultivate with shallow cultivation, keeping all grass 
and weeds out; then, in the fall cover all over two or three inches 
deep with well rotted manure; then, the next spring sow one quart 
of salt,as the salt has a tendency to improve the growth of the plant 
and at the same time it stops the germinating powers of the weed 
seeds. Asparagus should be in every farmer’s garden, as all it 
wants from year to yearis alittle more manure and a little more 
salt. Itis the first of garden products in the spring, and you can 
keep cutting it to the first of July and do no harm; and there is no 
piece of ground on the farm of the same size that will give the same 
amount of food. 
When we think the frosts are past, we want to set out our cabbage 
and tomatoes. When the ground has been well prepared and 
enriched, take the garden line and stretch across the garden and 
set cabbage plants two feet apart along the line; then move the line 
three feet and set another row, if necessary, for late cabbage. For 
winter use it is best not to set so early, as they have too long a sea- 
son to grow and frequently the heads will burst. To prevent or kill 
the cabbage worm, road dust or salt will some times be sufficient, 
but this summer I had to apply hot water two or three times, before 
I got rid of them. For tomatoes the rows should be four feet apart 
and four feet between the plants. 
Everything in a garden should be put in rows, so it can be culti- 
vated with a horse. Cultivate shallow and often, and a crop is 
certain. 
Next, we want our beans, radishes, carrots, parsnips and beets; 
these also should be planted in rows, so as to be cultivated as much 
as possible with a horse. 
