8 



WAR GARDENING 



or weeds, should be turned under, to rot and 

 enrich the soil. This is especially important 

 with ground that has had a growth of turf. 



Fig. 4 Wheel hoe and hand cultivator, to be had with 

 attachments such as plow, cultivator teeth, shovels 

 and rake. A simple form may be made at home. 



SELECTION OF CROPS 



The home garden campaign for 1919 should 

 be planned with a view to the production of 

 the largest possible amount of food with the 

 smallest possible outlay of seed and fertilizer. 

 Authorities agree that the seed shortage is the 

 worst the country has ever seen. The supply 

 of fertilizers and natural manures is far below 

 the normal. The demand for these materials 

 is exceedingly great and war-time efficiency 

 makes it vital that war-time conservation be 

 practised in the use of them. To this end 

 gardens should be devoted as far as possible 

 to those crops which are most useful for food 

 and in which the chances of failure are least 

 to be feared. 



In the selection of vegetables for the home 

 garden preference should be given to the staple 

 crops such as potatoes, beans, tomatoes, corn, 

 onions, and cabbage. Crops of next im- 

 portance, such as peas, carrots, parsnips, 

 beets, squash, greens, turnips, cauliflower, 

 radishes and celery, should be grown if space 

 in the garden permits. 



Fig. 5 Simple seed test, using plates and moist blotting 

 paper or cloth. This is extremely useful. 



Cauliflower, muskmelons, watermelons, 

 onions from seed, asparagus and cucumbers 

 are some of the plants that are most difficult 

 to raise and these are not recommended to 

 the amateur gardener. 



Soils vary so much that serious attention 

 should be given to the crops suited to the 

 individual garden. This is a local question. 

 Consult your local war garden committee's 

 experts as to the best crops for your particular 

 soil. Expert advice will prevent mistakes. 



In many communities, last year witnessed 

 an over-production of some vegetables that 

 had to be used during the growing season. 

 Many gardeners had larger crops of these 

 than they could possibly use. Much waste 

 resulted. To prevent this loss in seed, fer- 

 tilizer, garden space, labor and foodstuffs 

 every gardener should give especial atten- 

 tion to the selection of crops. Plant spar- 

 ingly of those things which must be used as 

 they mature and plant liberally of those things 

 which may be saved for winter use by can- 

 ning, drying or storing. 



Fig. 6 Use an envelope for sowing seed. The picture 

 shows seed already sown in some of the rows. 



PROCURE SEED EARLY 



Seed shortage was a handicap to many 

 gardeners last year. In 1919 the planting of 

 gardens will be increased and the demand 

 for seed even greater than in 1918. It is 

 important, therefore, that the home gardener 

 should procure his supply of seed early 

 well in advance of planting time. Be sure to 

 patronize a reliable dealer, as quality is vital. 



Use Seed Sparingly 



Home gardeners often plant seed thickly 

 to make sure of a good stand. This is a 

 wasteful method, excepting with such vege- 

 tables as will produce young plants which 

 may be used as greens. The better way is 

 to plant according to the directions given in 

 the planting table. 



The pronounced seed shortage this year 

 makes it imperative that no seed be wasted. 



Testing Seed 



A simple test will give useful advance 

 information of the germinating value of 

 seed. This test is useful as enabling the 

 gardener to determine whether or not 

 seed have been properly cured . and are 

 otherwise in good condition. Seed which 

 are too old or have been kept under un- 

 favorable conditions are unsatisfactory. 



