CHAPTER IX. 

 GARDEN LOCATION AND ARRANGEMENT. 



Several things should be considered in locating the 

 farm garden, for much depends upon selecting : first, the 

 best soil for the purpose the farm affords; second, situa- 

 tion with relation to protection, warmth and drainage; 

 third, nearness to water supply for irrigation ; fourth, 

 nearness to the home and protection from intrusion. It 

 may not be possible to combine all these points in a single 

 situation, and then it may be advisable to make two loca- 

 tions, or, in making one, to sacrifice convenience to the 

 more imperative conditions of exposure, soil and moisture. 



Choice of Soil. General considerations in connection 

 with soils may be found in other chapters. Of course, for 

 ease of work as well as for other considerations a rich loam 

 should be chosen the best that the ranch affords. As to 

 grades of loam, the lighter should be chosen for the win- 

 ter garden because of the better natural drainage and 

 warmth and the short time in which such soils will take 

 tools and seeds well after heavy rains. The heavier and 

 more retentive soil will better suit the summer garden. 

 Sometimes these two soils may be found beside each other 

 in the same acre; sometimes the soil can be readily im- 

 proved in these lines, as may be seen in the chapter on 

 soils, or small pieces at a distance from each other may be 

 chosen if each has distinctive fitness. 



Situation and Exposure. Situation should be consid- 

 ered, for warmth and protection as well as drainage, as is 

 explained in other chapters. Though garden ground in 

 general is most conveniently worked if it has just enough 

 grade for the slow distribution of water, for winter and 

 early spring growth an elevation out of the frosts of the 



