236 ELEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE 



is necessary to produce the best fruit, particularly in dry 

 years. 



If all perennials are at one side, the remainder of the 

 garden will be straight for plowing. The rows of vege- 

 tables should be at least two and one-half feet apart to 

 allow for continued cultivation with a horse or team. 

 Cultivation should be so frequent that weeds wifl never 

 get started. In this way, little hand labor will be required. 



The soil should be generously manured. It is not profit- 

 able to raise so valuable a crop on poor land. If any part 

 of the farm is short of manure, let it be the cheapest 

 crop. 



It will pay to save seed of most of the plants, as 

 the seed will be surer to grow and will be cheaper than 

 buying it. 



The garden and orchard should contain every kind of 

 fruit and vegetable that will grow in the region and that 

 the family likes. There should be enough varieties to cover 

 the season. The season may be prolonged by bringing 

 vegetables into the cellar. Full-grown green tomatoes 

 may be kept for about two months by wrapping them in 

 paper. The writer has had them in December in New 

 York. Watermelons will keep some time. Celery may be 

 transplanted to the cellar and kept watered. It will then 

 grow new shoots that are of the finest quality. If one be- 

 comes interested, he will find many ways of adding to the 

 usefulness and pleasure of the garden. 



A small hotbed, perhaps four by eight feet, will grow 

 several crops of lettuce and radishes and also plants for 

 the garden. A hotbed is a simple affair. Old boards may 

 be used to make a tight frame, which is about 24 inches 



