166 AGRICULTURE 



TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION 



1. Measure your home garden and find the amount of 

 space devoted to vegetables this season. Make a com- 

 parison with other members of the class. Compute the 

 average size of vegetable gardens for the neighborhood. 



2. Make a list of all the different vegetables raised in 

 your home garden this year. How many different kinds? 

 What proportion of the space was devoted to each? Com- 

 pare the number of different kinds and the proportion of 

 each with the garden plan shown on page 170. 



1. Location and Soil 



The location. There is a double advantage in having 

 the vegetable garden near the house: the vegetables can 

 then be taken from the soil as needed, without loss of 

 time ; and spare moments free from other work or chores 

 can be given to the care of the garden. Where the soil 

 is suitable it is best to have the garden only a few rods 

 from the kitchen door. 



The soil. Most vegetables require a well drained 

 soil. Ground on which the water stands after a rain is not 

 adapted to garden use. A slight slope to the south and 

 east will favor the early maturing of the crops. 



2. Plan of the Vegetable Garden 



The vegetable garden should be carefully planned be- 

 fore time to begin planting, and a diagram made allotting 

 to each crop its location and proper amount of space. This 

 will save time in putting in the crop and insure a better 

 arrangement. 



The plan. A well planned garden provides (1) for a 

 succession of crops supplying the table with fresh vegeta- 

 bles from early spring to late fall, with storage varieties 

 for winter use. This can be accomplished by selecting a 



