26 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [12:1— Jan., 1916 



If vegetables are to be our pride and joy we still need to make 

 careful estimates of cost of seed, particularly if our garden must 

 pay for itself, the amount of space we have to use, and the care of 

 our different crops. The latter is of even greater importance here 

 than in our flower garden, for while foliage may be in itself orna- 

 mental without the blossoms for which we hoped, we lose our point 

 entirely if our vegetable garden does not develop properly. 

 Foliage in place of blossom will hardly serve our purpose in a pea 

 crop, but it may easily happen if we fertilize the soil too heavily. 

 In our final choice the kind of land at our disposal, rather than 

 fancy, should dictate the crop to be grown, for heavy, clayey 

 soils can hardly be expected to yield the same results as light or 

 sandy loam. 



For the boy who has only a small plot of land, radishes, carrots, 

 lettuce, tomatoes, (which can be trained on a stake), parsnips, 

 and chard make excellent crops and give considerable variety 

 New Zealand spinach, which takes up considerable space, gives 

 such a continuous supply that it is well worth a place in even a 

 small garden, and early peas, which may soon give way to some- 

 thing else, are always a delight. 



Succession and companion crops are very interesting to plan 

 and are quite essential if one is to get the most out of his land. 

 Early lettuce and cabbage make a good combination since the 

 former is all out of the way by the time the latter is of any size. 

 Radishes may likewise be sown near beets, carrots, or parsnips 

 for the same reason. Early peas may be pulled up after harvest- 

 ing the crop and the same place be sown to beans or late peas. 



In all the various possibilities of the home garden there is surely 

 something to appeal to almost all children and I know of no other 

 activity which offers a better opportunity for bringing home and 

 school in touch with each other. The problems of the home should 

 be brought to che school for help in their solution and the prin- 

 ciples taught or ideas suggested at school may be worked out at 

 home. Thus may children of all ages learn that "The garden 

 is a lovesome spot." 



