14 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



hand wheel-hoe, hand seeders, etc. If well prepared, 

 it is really more satisfactory to take care of a small 

 garden with these tools than by horse power. A good 

 seeder and wheel-hoe combined may be purchased for 

 about $12; or the wheel-hoe and attachments may be 

 purchased for between $6 and $7, and the seed-drill for 

 about $8. The separate tools are probably the most 

 satisfactory in the end, even though they cost more. 

 With these tools properly used, very little hand-hoeing 

 will be needed. 



Soil. Any good corn land will grow vegetables and 

 fruits in abundance. Of course, special crops require 

 special conditions. For early crops it is preferable to 

 use rich, sandy, quick-acting soils sloping to the south. 

 This is best also for plants such as vines and tomatoes, 

 which need much warm weather to mature well. Late 

 root crops, cabbage, etc., do best on slightly heavier soils 

 that slope to the north or east, and so are protected from 

 the drying south wind. 



Manures. Well-rotted barnyard manure is the best 

 fertilizer. For late crops it is not necessary that it be 

 thoroughly decayed, as there is time for it to decay 

 before the plants need it. Nitrate of soda and some other 

 commercial fertilizers are occasionally used for special 

 crops, and will probably have to be used more by market 

 gardeners hereafter, on account of the difficulty of getting 

 stable manures. 



GARDENING IN GENERAL 



Location and Soil. The land for vegetable gardening 

 should be free from stones and stumps, and easily culti- 

 vated. Wet land should be avoided unless it can be 

 drained at a reasonable outlay; if it cannot be drained it is 



