i8th February, A. D. 1897. 



ESSAY 



BY 



J. LEWIS P:LLSW0RTH, Worcester. 

 Theme: — The Family Vegetable Garden. 



The vegetal)le garden is of great iniportaucc on every farm, large or 

 small. Considering the wbolesomeuess of vegetables, the importance 

 of the garden cannot be overestimated. The direct benefit to the 

 owner cannot be computed from a money point of view. 



The gardener should first have a definite plan of the crops he in- 

 tends to raise, and the size and character of his garden. The trouble 

 with many who start a garden is that they do not begin to think what 

 they want until after the ground is ploughed. Then they have to make 

 up their minds quickly, rush to the seed store and buy the first thing 

 that comes handy. The t^vo most important factors of a successful 

 garden are the cultivation of the soil and the seed. 



Thorough ploughing and a fine seed-bed are needed. The land 

 should be ploughed twice, first deeply ; then it should be thoroughly 

 manured, and then ploughed again, not so deeply as before, as it is 

 not good to cover the manure too much. Then the garden should be 

 aiven a light harrowing and should be smoothed off with a drag to 

 break the lumps and make a fine seed-bed. 



Great attention should be given to the after-cultivation. I begin 

 cultivation even before seeds start, and in that way destroy the early 

 weed seed even before it sprouts. Go through the beds with a wheel 

 hoe, and as soon as the seeds show, continue the use of the hoe and 

 harrow all summer until the maturity of the crop. 



To make a success of gardening good seeds are necessary. With- 

 out them, all the labor, the use of the land and the implements are in 

 vain. Seeds should be fully ripe when planted, and the large, full 

 seed contains more nourishment for the young plant than does the 



