138 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



of fences. Large squashes ripened on the roof and shelves at the 

 eaves and fence tops. Lima beans ran in various directions. String 

 beans, peppers, and mint grew below the running vines. Tomato 

 plants over six feet in height were severely pruned near the ground 

 to a bare stalk, giving free circulation to cats, breezes, and a little 

 direct but more reflected sunshine. Cans of all sizes were used ; old 

 rusty five-gallon cans with the bottoms punched full of holes ; small 

 cans, one set over another and filled half full of fresh bones, and 

 over these several inches of fresh wood ashes. Water poured into 

 the cans, leached through the ashes, combining a complete fertilizer 

 and system of sub-irrigation. The cans were often artfully concealed 

 from sight, but they were there as the foundation of an enterprise. 

 By their use and the employment of vertical space for the plant 

 extension, this little mite of a city back yard was made into a pretty 

 greenery without interfering with its function as a clothes-drying 

 yard on Mondays. When one sees such things he is led to wonder 

 whether there is anything which Will and Work and Water can 

 not accomplish. 



