266 PRIZE GARDENING 



Strawberries, the remaining rod of width being divided 

 to blackberries, raspberries, currants and gooseberries, 

 with young peach trees set out next the fence on the 

 north side twenty rods in length, grapevines along the 

 south fence, with rhubarb, horse-radish and sage along 

 one end fence. I should have stated that off this allot- 

 ment to shrubbery that the end nearest the house is a 

 block about a rod square allotted to flowers." 



Mrs. L. A. Ludwig advises from a dozen square 

 rods to an acre for a family of five or six. C. P. 

 Augur recommends not less than one-half acre for a 

 family of from five to six persons. B. S. Higley thinks 

 that if potatoes are relegated to field culture, one- 

 eighth acre is sufficient for the garden. Mrs. W. D. 

 Goss considers one hundred by forty feet a convenient 

 size. R. J. Clark and others think at least one-fourth 

 acre desirable if berries and fruit are to be included. 



Causes of Failure. — "Want of care" is the cause of 

 failure mentioned by the greatest number of replies. 

 The same idea is expressed by the terms "neglect," 

 "poor cultivation," etc. C. P. Augur says: "Any gar- 

 den will thrive to some extent if looked after with 

 intelligent interest and tilled with cheerful persistence. 

 Fertility is not nearly so necessary as faithful efTort." 



Several replies emphasize the need of frequently 

 stirring the soil. Others mention the need of general 

 thoroughness. Says A. P. Edge: "Farmers too often 

 start early in the season, but let it care for itself later 

 and wonder why the drouth is so hard on their garden." 

 L. E. Dimock mentions poor seed and lack of proper 

 care in planting. C. E. Belden thinks gardeners try 

 to do too much with insufficient help. "Farmers," 

 writes W. P. Gray, "consider the garden but a small 

 part of the farm, and bringing in no cash, and they 

 put it down as a last consideration." 



