ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWERS AND FARMING. 201 



between the rows of the whole garden in a very little time 

 and save all hand-hoeing. The hand-weeding in the row 

 may be performed by women or children. 



In large towns ground is scarce and labor abundant. 

 Gardens, therefore, are properly laid out for economy of 

 space. In the country the reverse is true ; land is abundant 

 but labor scarce and dear ; of course gardens should be laid 

 out not to save room, but to economize labor. The plan 

 suggested will save labor, improve the garden, and take 

 from the wife the drudgery of the spade and hoe. 



EARLY DAYS OF SPRING. 



IF the soil be thrown up during the open weather into 

 ridges, an immense number of insects will be unburrowed 

 and destroyed; stiff clayey soils will be rendered more 

 crumbling and mellow by exposure to frost. If advantage 

 is taken of the weather to haul manure, let it be stacked up, 

 and a little earth thrown over it, else the volatile and most 

 valuable portions will escape. Ashes may be spread over 

 the garden ; a small portion of refuse salt will benefit the 

 ground, and may be sown now. Clear the ground of all 

 vines, stalks, haulm. If you have flowering bulbs, cover 

 slightly with coarse manure they will not be so much tried 

 by the changes of temperature and moisture, and will 

 flower stronger for it. Bright, dry days afford a fine time 

 for going to the woods and cutting poles for your beans, 

 stakes for your trees and dahlias, brush for peas, etc. 

 While you are about it, collect moss from old logs, and put 

 away in the barn or shed to cover the ground in summer 

 where roses and shrubs have been newly set out, and 

 require to be kept moist. If not done before, put two or 

 three forks full of coarse green manure about tender shrubs 



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