INTRODUCTION. 



A book giving brief and simple directions for planting 

 all field and garden crops, trees, vines, roots, etc., seems 

 to be generally needed, judging from the numbers of en- 

 quiries the writer has for something of the kind during 

 the planting season of each year. The writer has been 

 unable to find a full and comprehensive work of the sort, 

 hence takes upon himself the task of writing such a book. 

 He promises the reader that in these pages he shall find 

 instructions sufficient to guide him in planting every seed 

 and tree or vine known to the field, orchard, or vegetable 

 garden. The author does not propose to give a full de- 

 scription of varieties and their uses, as this volume would 

 then become too large. The object is to give brief and 

 correct instructions as to when and how to plant and sow. 

 Every human being should devote a part of his or her 

 time to producing something from the soil, even if it be 

 only some lovely flower. The poet sommands us to sow, 

 after the following manner : 



" Sow in the morn thy seed, 

 At eve hold not thy hand. 

 Thou knowest not which shall thrive, 

 The late or early sown. 



" And duly shall appear, 

 In verdure, beauty, strength, 

 The tender blade, the stalk, the ear, 

 And the full corn at length." 



The Supreme Architect of the universe, our Great 

 Creator, in Holy Writ, commands us to sow and till the 

 ground, for in His revealed word we find, viz. : "In the 

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