256 



VEGETABLE GARDENING 



in the home garden will thus be maintained and from this the 

 interest in the whole farm is stimulated* It may be a source of 

 training in the proper methods of marketing, and some business 

 training may also be acquired. 



Soils for Gardens. For most garden crops deep, black soil, 

 rich in organic matter, gives best results. If very early crops are 

 desired soils should contain more sand, but this is not always 

 essential in home gardens. The depth to which the black soil 

 extends is not so important for shallow rooted crops, such as 

 lettuce, spinach and radish, but for beets, turnips, potatoes and 

 other deep rooted crops it is essential that the good soil be very 



FIG. 178. Even North Dakota gardeners find it advisable to stake their tomato vines. 

 It is more important in the moister climatefc 'of the East and South. (U. S. D. A.) 



deep. If soils are very heavy they may be very much improved 

 by large quantities of barnyard manure or green manure. If 

 such a large amount is turned under at one time it should be done 

 some weeks in advance of planting time to allow time for decay. 

 Rolling the soil will usually hasten the decay, and if the harrow 

 is used afterward the plants will suffer less from dry weather. On 

 farms where much of the soil is very heavy a study of different 

 fields, not too far from the residence, should be made with a view 

 to selecting those containing the moist sand. After using all avail- 

 able methods for the improvement of the garden soil it may be 

 easily warmed and aerated and produce even better crops than 

 soils which are naturally light and dry. 



