Foreword 



the writer grew in it all the vegetables he men- 

 tions. He began the work because the state 

 of his health made it advisable for him to spend 

 some time out of doors every day, after having 

 done his regular literary work. It occurred 

 to him that it would be a good idea to keep a 

 record of his gardening operations, and in this 

 way the book came to be written. It is a record 

 of facts, not fancy. It set the people to think- 

 ing, for it opened their eyes to the truth that a 

 good deal can be grown in a small space, that 

 garden-work is pleasant when one enters into 

 the real spirit of it, therefore is valuable when 

 considered as a recreation simply, and that 

 health often comes back to the invalid from 

 coming into close contact with Mother Earth. 

 The little book was the advance courier of 

 much that has since been written about gar- 

 dening, and did most excellent work as a mis- 

 sionary in a field that had been sadly neglected. 

 Therefore, do not let the fact that you have 

 only a small piece of land that can be used for 

 gardening purposes prevent you from under- 

 taking to have a garden. Begin the work with 

 the intention of improving every foot of it, 

 and you will be surprised and delighted with 



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