14 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



where first you began to grow something, where 

 first the vision came. It should, of course, be 

 convenient to the house ; but it is of greater impor- 

 tance that it be out of sight and sound of the 

 house. Perhaps a grove or an orchard or, maybe, 

 only a group of trees intervenes between the house 

 and the best available garden site ; but it must be 

 secluded in some way. There should be shrubbery 

 and shade trees nearby where birds are likely to 

 nest. Beneath one tree, there must be a seat in 

 full view of "the hills whence cometh our 

 strength" or in sight of a wood with its quiet 

 depths and perhaps the cool sound of a brook 

 somewhere. Such a situation would make the out- 

 door home ideal. Anyway, if the worker is to get 

 all possible good from the garden, she must feel, 

 once there, that another world surrounds her, 

 with other thoughts and other interests. She must 

 feel free to enjoy her out-door home. 



The size does not matter much. Begin with a 

 smaller garden than you aspire to own some day. 

 Force yourself thus to make the most of what you 

 do own. A neglected garden is a pitiful thing. 

 One feels almost human sympathy for the half- 

 starved misused plants. Keep the size of your 

 garden well within the measure of your time and 

 strength, for then it will always furnish refresh- 

 ment and recreation. 



Having found the right place and put a limit 

 to the size, we will hope to find the soil suitable. 



