CHAPTER XVIII 



A GARDEN SYMPOSIUM 



To shed further hght upon the results of the con- 

 test, a hst of several questions was sent to the twenty- 

 five leading winners, asking their advice on subjects 

 considered of direct practical interest, and upon which 

 the experience of the contestants would especially qual- 

 ify them to express an opinion. 



Si^e of Garden. — The majority of replies suggest 

 that a small garden is sufficient for the average farm. 

 One-eighth acre is the size most often mentioned; 

 many advise one-fourth acre or one-half acre and most 

 of the remaining replies range between one-fourth and 

 one acre. A few thiak large acreage desirable. A 

 great many advise a rectangular piece and planting in 

 long rows, allowing the use of horse implements in 

 cultivation ; rows to be the greatest length that the field 

 will permit. 



A good-sized, well-arranged garden is advised by 

 A. T. Giauque, who writes : ''As the average farmer 

 is engaged with about all the field crops he can handle, 

 one-half acre is considered sufficient, one-half of which 

 is devoted to garden vegetables for family use, the 

 other half to shrubbery or small fruits. If, however, 

 it is desired to raise all the sweet corn for table use, 

 early potatoes, melons and cucumbers within the garden 

 enclosed, then I w^ould say one acre is none too much. 

 My garden has been enlarged to one-half acre to pro- 

 vide room for the shrubbery awarded in the late garden 

 contest, and has two by twenty rods devoted to garden 

 vegetables proper, one by twenty rods planted to 



