218 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



will be no cut-worms to bother the early plants. From January to 

 January there is no need in in the South for any space in the garden 

 unoccupied by crops. From the time the earliest peas go into the 

 ground in January up to the time it is necessary to prepare for them 

 the following year there can be a constant succession of fresh vege- 

 tables from the garden, by the exercise of a little forethought. And 

 this succession can be made still more perfect if there be added a 

 frame with some hot-bed sashes for the production of lettuce, cauli- 

 flower, radishes, carrots, etc., during the colder months; while all 

 through the winter there can be celery, kale, spinach and turnips. 

 (N. C. Bui. 132.) 



LOCATION. 



The question of the proximity to the house or other buildings 

 is of great importance when locating the garden. Caring for a 

 garden is usually done at spare times, and for this reason alone the 

 location should be near the dwelling. In case the site chosen for the 

 garden should become unsuitable for any cause, it is not a difficult 

 matter to change the location. Many persons prefer to plant the 

 garden in a different location every five or six years. The lay of the 

 land has considerable influence upon the time that the soil can be 

 worked, and a gentle slope toward the south or southeast is most 

 desirable for the production of early crops. It is an advantage to 

 have protection on the north and northwest by either a hill, a group 

 of trees, evergreens, a hedge, buildings, a tight board fence, or a 

 stone wall to break the force of the wind. 



Good natural drainage of the garden area is of prime impor- 

 tance. The land should have sufficient fall to drain off surplus 

 water during heavy rains, but the fall should not be so great that 

 the soil will be washed. The surface of the garden should not con- 

 tain depressions in which water will accumulate or stand. Waste 

 water from surrounding land should not flow toward the garden, 

 and the fall below should be such that there will be no danger of 

 flood water backing up. The garden should not be located along 

 the banks of a creek or stream that will be liable to overflow during 

 the growing season. 



A good fence around the garden plot is almost indispensable, 

 and it should be a safeguard against all farm animals, including 

 poultry, and should be close enough to keep out rabbits. A tight 

 board fence will accomplish this result and also serve as a wind- 

 break. (F. B. 255.) 



PLAN AND ARRANGEMENT. 



The garden should be planned with a view to furnishing a 

 large assortment and continuous supply of vegetables through the 

 entire season. Its size will depend primarily upon the amount of 

 land available. On the farm, where any amount of land the owner 

 desires can be reserved for a garden, vegetables to be stored for 

 winter as well as the summer supply, should be grown. On the 

 village lot, space may be insufficient to grow more than the sum- 

 mer's supply, and it may also be necessary to leave out certain 

 vegetables that require a large amount of space. On a city lot, 



