236 Miscellaneous Hints 



five per cent, water. The quality of the vegetable 

 is dependable upon this supply of moisture, there- 

 fore when moisture is denied to them while growing 

 they will be poor in quality and flavor, as well as 

 having their growth stunted. 



Land that is too wet for crops and which is not 

 easily drained should be plowed during a very dry 

 period, harrowed thoroughly, and planted with seed 

 to redtop (herd's grass) and alsike clover. This 

 will entirely change the quality of the soil and the 

 next time crops are planted a distinct improvement 

 will be noted. 



It has been estimated that a well-kept garden will 

 yield a return fifteen times greater than would the same 

 area devoted to general farm crops. A half -acre of 

 land will supply at least a hundred dollars' worth 

 of vegetables during the season, while the average 

 return for farm crops is less than one tenth of this 

 amount. 



In laying drain do not make the mistake of put- 

 ting down tile too small to carry off the water when 

 at flood-tide. 



It may make the muscles sore and the back ache 

 to dig out briers and pull up weeds, but this is 

 the price one must pay for a good garden, and this 



