CHAPTER IX. 



GARDEN LOCATION AND 

 ARRANGEMENT. 



Several things should be considered in locating the farm gar- 

 den, for much depends upon selecting: first, the best soil for the 

 purpose the farm affords; second, situation with relation to pro- 

 tection, warmth and drainage; third, nearness to water supply for 

 irrigation; fourth, nearness to the home and protection from intru- 

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

 situation, and then it may be advisable to make two locations, or, 

 in making one, to sacrifice convenience to the more imperative con- 

 ditions of exposure, soil and moisture. 



Choice of Soil. General considerations in connection with soils 

 have already been given. 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 winter garden because of the better natural drain- 

 age and warmth and the short time in which such soils will take 

 tools and seeds well after heavy rains. The heavier and more re- 

 tentive soil will better suit the summer garden. Sometimes these 

 two soils may be found beside each other in the same acre; some- 

 times the soil can be readily improved in these lines, as has already 

 been explained, or small pieces at a distance from each other may 

 be chosen if each has distinctive fitness. 



Situation and Exposure. Situation should be considered for 

 warmth and protection as well as drainage, which has been men- 

 tioned. 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 low grounds and into the superior heat of the southerly 

 slopes will be found of advantage. In addition to the ridge above, 

 such protection from north and northwest winds as a windbreak 

 of trees or farm buildings or a high fence will be valuable. There 

 is great difference in the safety and speed of winter vegetables on 

 benches and hillsides, as compared with the lower lands at their 

 feet only a few rods away perhaps. Warm protected slopes are 

 best for winter and the worst for summer vegetables. Shallow soil 

 spread on porous rock is non-retentive and warm for winter growth, 

 but it may be impossible, even with irrigation, to carry good succu- 

 lent growth on it during the blistering summer heat. Then the 

 deep loams of the creek borders and other level lands delight the 

 gardener with the largest returns for the least water. 



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