CHAPTER XVII 



LESSONS FROM THE WINNERS 



After a study of these hundreds of garden 

 accounts, an impression is received of candor and out- 

 spoken truthfuhiess. There is scarcely an instance 

 where inspection or outside investigation shows the 

 least sign of intention to conceal and mislead. Facts 

 were stated with the greatest completeness, including 

 some cases of almost humiliating loss and failure. It 

 would be difficult to pick out several hundred persons 

 of any other business or profession who would describe 

 the operations of a year with such frank completeness, 

 generously passing along to others the gains of their 

 experience and thought. 



The substance of the accounts brings out strikingly 

 the fact that any reasonably successful garden may be 

 expected to pay for itself, including fair wages for all 

 work, and leave something for net profit. The showing 

 of the garden in the line of profits was evidently a 

 surprise to many contestants who had never figured 

 up the produce at wholesale price, nor noticed how 

 few full days' work were needed, especially with 

 modern implements ana methods. 



Cost and Value of a Garden. — The figures which 

 are here presented are based upon the reports of five 

 hundred and fifteen gardens located in nearly every 

 state and territory, Canada and the provinces, so they 

 may be considered as accurate and reliable. Covering 

 such a vast territory, local conditions, which might give 

 different figures, are avoided and the summary becomes 



