158 PRIZE GARDENING 



part of the season when the windmill was standing idle. 

 I did not understand then what an enormous amount 

 of water is required for cabbage, and as frequent light 

 showers were falling, I supposed the ground was suffi- 

 ciently wet. 



In irrigating tomatoes, a ditch was first made with 

 the cultivator in the middle between the rows, using the 

 three teeth set close together, or sometimes the large 

 tooth alone. One end of the hose was then placed in 

 the ditch and the other in the tank, making a siphon. 

 The water was allowed to run in this ditch from two 

 to six hours, according to the supply of water available 

 and the requirements of the balance of the garden. 



A net profit of about fifty-four dollars is recorded 

 from Mr. Brickey's garden, but he believes that the 

 experience gained and the pleasure of watching and 

 caring for the crops amounted to far more real value 

 than the cash balance. A good garden was so rare in 

 his section that visitors came in considerable numbers. 

 His calendar, condensed, is of interest as showing a 

 gardener's routine in the semi-arid section : 



February. — Made first order for seeds. 



March. — Constructed a hotbed and cold frame No. 

 I, starting in these frames cabbages, lettuce, onions, 

 tomatoes and radishes. Also began the preparation 

 of the soil of the garden. 



April. — Completed preparation of soil, trans- 

 planted cabbage from cold frame to open ground, sent 

 second order for seeds, sowed onions, lettuce and rad- 

 ishes in the garden, constructed a cold frame for sprout- 

 ing sweet potatoes in the bed, began irrigating the early 

 cabbage, bought drill, wheel hoe, etc., fifty feet of hose 

 and a lawn sprinkler. 



May. — Completed transplanting early cabbage, 

 began transplanting tomatoes to open ground, sowed 

 early peas, early beans and planted early potatoes and 



