THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



thing is to help the natural soil by giving it 

 the lacking constituents. Plenty of well- 

 rotted stable manure, muck from low lands 

 if it can be had, wood ashes, bone meal, a 

 sprinkling of air slaked lime, and, if the 

 soil be stiff or clayey, some sand may be 

 added. 



If the vegetable garden is large, the 

 parts where corn, beets, and beans are to be 

 planted can be broken up first with a 

 plow and thoroughly harrowed before rak- 

 ing, otherwise let the ground be well spaded 

 and the earth thoroughly pulverized, then 

 smoothed down with a rake. Proper prep- 

 aration of the soil is the first essential for 

 the production of good crops; then if the 

 ground be frequently stirred and kept free 

 from weeds, you cannot fail of success. 



Having arranged and prepared your 

 ground, then comes the planting. 



Vegetables should always, if the space 

 permits, be planted in rows, as this facili- 

 tates cultivation and lightens the labor. 



