Home Gardening 15 



tomatoes, squashes, melons, etc. ! And all this practically with- 

 out expense, at least, without cash outlay. There is plenty of 

 good manure in the barn-yard; horses stand in the stable more 

 or less unused during the gardening season, and the needed 

 labor can also be had in an emergency. At the same time few 

 farmers will have difficulty to sell or trade off the surplus to 

 advantage. The village blacksmith may take part if not all of his 

 pay in good vegetables. The wagon maker, the carpenter, the 

 storekeeper, the physician, the banker all of them need vege- 

 tables, and often are glad to take what good things you have to 

 offer in exchange for money, goods, or services. If the working 

 forces on the farm are insufficient, it will often be advisable to 

 reduce the area of wheat or oats, and grow an acre of garden 

 stuff instead; for the same work devoted to the garden will pay 

 you 500 per cent, profit above that realized from grain culture. 



