FERTILIZER GARDENS III 



netted a loss of a few cents^ the fertilizer alone costing 

 three-fifths of the crop returns. Pole beans also made 

 a bad showing, owing in part to cost of poles, setting 

 them and tying the vines. Onions were the third finan- 

 cial failure, owing to low prices for crop and amount 

 of labor required. 



The garden gospel, according to Mr. Foote, may 

 be summed up in these four rules or requirements : 



A plot of land free from all shade of trees or 

 buildings. 



Good garden fertilizer applied at the rate of not 

 less than two tons to the acre. 



The very best seed the market produces, regard- 

 less of cost. 



Thorough cultivation from early spring until fall. 



Drainage and Fertilizer. — A farm garden made 

 fit by deep drainage and dressed with commercial fer- 

 tilizer was entered by A. C. Abrams, Albany county, 

 New York, and received fourth prize. Soil was moist 

 clay loam. The plot contained about one-third acre, 

 and is enclosed with pickets painted with coal tar ; a 

 fencing which has lasted fifty years or more. Too 

 much moisture came in from a small lake on a higher 

 level, but by a drain twenty-five rods long with a rise 

 of one-half inch per thirteen feet the surplus water was 

 removed. This drain was finally extended to the lake, 

 draining away its contents and greatly improving the 

 adjoining land. The garden was fertilized at rate of 

 two tons per acre, but the dry season prevented the 

 full effect. 



About one-third of the fertilizer was sown broad- 

 cast before plowing. The ground was then plowed 

 nicely about eight inches deep, then about one-third 

 more fertilizer sown broadcast and the ground thor- 

 oughly cultivated. The balance of the fertilizer was 



