FARM LAYOUT 393 



vegetables can then be plowed in one block every year. 

 This strip can be planted from one side. The land for the 

 later planting can then be kept harrowed until it is planted. 

 Interplanting of small fruits and trees is very inadvisable 

 unless land is very limited, because more work is required. 



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. Cultiva- 

 tion should be so frequent that weeds will never get 

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



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

 itable to raise so valuable a crop^on poor land. If any crop 

 is short of manure, let it be the cheapest crop. 



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 bring- 

 ing vegetables into the cellar. Full-grown green tomatoes 

 may be kept for about two months by wrapping them in 

 paper. 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 

 becomes 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 

 deep on the north and 18 inches deep on the south. This is 

 filled with firmly tramped horse manure that is just be- 

 ginning to heat. It is covered with about six inches of 

 good soil, and is then ready for the window-sash. Before 



