INTRODUCTION XIV 



variations of soil, climate, altitude and method of 

 arranjT^cment. 



Althouf^h nearly all the prize winners were garden 

 experts, yet some excelled in special directions and 

 naturally emphasized their specialties in the accounts, 

 thus giving far more helpful treatment of the various 

 topics than could be accorded by any one expert. 

 Clearness, completeness and accuracy were the essen- 

 tial requirements, and contestants were encouraged to 

 relate all important details and to tell the whole story, 

 some keeping a daily memorandum as a basis for the 

 description and bookkeeping record. Many submitted 

 charts, photographs and drawings, making their narra- 

 tive still clearer. The intelligence and progressiveness 

 of the growers is apparent at first glance. Each man 

 has definite ideas of his own, and these ideas he is test- 

 ing by successful garden practice. The methods dififer : 

 many men ; many minds. Each has studied out his owm 

 problem in his own way. The very difference in the 

 conditions and methods constitutes the particular value 

 of the accounts, since readers everywhere will find that 

 some at least of the descriptions are particularly 

 adapted to their needs. 



Most important of all, the accounts are every one 

 from actual experience ; not a line but is based on the 

 work of the season, and the result is a mine and 

 treasure-house of garden practice. In effect every 

 writer had his notebook strapped to his hoe-handle, 

 and the stories savor of the fresh-turned soil and the 

 laden produce baskets. 



