CHAPTER XII 

 USE AND CARE OF THE FARM GARDEN 



Place of the vegetable garden on the farm. The pro- 

 duction of vegetables for home use is often neglected by the 

 farmer. It is hard to believe that one whose business is 

 producing crops should depend upon the village market 

 instead of supplying his table from his own garden. Never- 

 theless such a practice is not uncommon. The farmer seems 

 to dislike the care of a garden. It seems trivial work to him, 

 and he believes that it is cheaper and less trouble to buy 

 table vegetables than to produce them. 



In some instances this attitude may be justified, as in 

 regions where there is little summer rainfall. But on most 

 farms a vegetable garden will give ample returns for all the 

 labor spent upon it. It should supply a variety of fresh 

 vegetables in season and produce surplus enough to be pre- 

 served for winter use. 



Requirements for a farm garden. Three factors are 

 essential to the success of a farm garden: First, the plot 

 should be small enough to prevent its proper care becoming 

 a burden; second, the soil should be reinforced by a heavy 

 application of well-rotted manure and then put into the best 

 possible condition; third, a careful plan should be made well 

 in advance, so as to provide for a variety and succession of 

 vegetables sufficient for all home needs. 



If the soil is carefully fertilized, a small plot, well-planned, 

 will meet all the requirements of the average farm home. 



