PRIZE PICKINGS 281 



scatter on a load or two more to fill possible bare spots. 

 I plow the first day I find the ground thawed, and plow 

 deep, running twice over each furrow, the second time 

 in the bottom of the first furrow. I plant everythijig 

 a little earlier than the neighbors think safe, and replant 

 if killed by frost. The first day I can see the rows I 

 begin hoeing and weeding, and keep it up until haying 

 calls for all my time. I endeavor to walk over the 

 garden so as to see everything in it every day, until the 

 plants are well started and can take care of themselves. 

 — [A. P. Hitchcock, New York. 



In planting my garden, I put everything in rows 

 far enough apart to admit of the horse cultivator; the 

 rows all run the long way of the garden. As soon as 

 any variety was planted, I at once marked it with a 

 stake bearing the name of the variety and date of 

 planting, using painted plant labels tacked to pine 

 stakes. The writing was done with lead pencil and 

 remained perfectly legible for months. The planting 

 of all small seeds w-as done with a combined hill and 

 drill seeder and cultivator. This same implement with 

 hoes substituted for the seed drilling parts was used 

 for cultivating next to the rows when plants first 

 appeared. 



The soil can hardly be made too rich for a suc- 

 cessful garden. I want to keep my plants on the jump 

 from the time they first appear until the crop is ready 

 to gather. Good seeds and a rich soil, kept free from 

 weeds and mellow by frequent workings, are conditions 

 which render a good garden a certainty if blessed with 

 seasonable weather and rainfall. — [E. G. Packard, 

 Delaware. 



I never allow any weeds or rubbish in my garden, 

 to harbor mice or vermin, but keep it well cultivated 

 and clean, and I think that is the way to success, not 

 only in the garden but on the farm. I always manure 



