CHAPTER XX. 



MARKET GARDENING AND FARMERS* GARDENS. 



AEKBT GAEDENING can only be carried on, on a 

 large scale, within a few hours reach of large cities, but 

 near all villages and incorporated towns there is always 

 a moderate demand which is seldom fully supplied. 

 And even if there were no demand beside that of the farmer's 

 own table, a variety of fresh vegetables is so desirable, so whole- 

 some, and so cheaply secured, that we should say to every 

 farmer, keep a well stocked garden. 



A good garden well stocked and well tended, in connection 

 with the farm, is acknowledged by all experienced in domestic 

 economy to be the most profitable portion of the farm, accord- 

 ing to the expense and care required. Yet it is a portion which 

 has been, and is, too much neglected by most farmers in this 

 country, much to their loss, in both health and comfort. The 

 time necessary to its successful culture is often wasted or lost 

 in running to the store for articles that might not have been 

 aeeded, had there been a good garden to go to instead. 



Half an acre devoted to garden purposes will, if properly 

 cultivated, farnish a large family with a considerable portion of 

 heir living from spring to midwinter, or till spring comes 

 igain ; and instead of the more heating meats, stale bread, and 

 )ld potatoes, to which so many farmers' families are confined in 



fcivinter and spring, we have a successive and refreshing variety 

 ■ 631 





