42 MY HANDKERCHIEF GARDEN. 



• 



The work of attending this series of crops is very 

 simple. On the day following every rain, break the 

 surface of the soil round the plants by raking it 

 lightly. A small steel rake, such as is often sold in 

 "children's sets" of tools, will be found useful. This 

 raking will also keep the weeds down, but if weeds 

 do appear, rake them up as soon as possible. In this 

 way all the hard work of hoeing will be saved. About 

 every two weeks through the season sow some com- 

 mercial fertilizer thinly over the surface of the ground 

 just before a rain, and rake the soil gently to cover it. 

 If very dry weather comes, shower the plants thor- 

 oughly on a bright sunny morning about twice a 

 week. 



It will be seen that this is very high as well as 

 small culture, and it will be found to be very profit- 

 able. Such a little border should carry four crops of 

 at least five dozen heads each, and even at three cents 

 a head, should save $3.60 on your grocer's bill. Tri- 

 fling little return you think ? It is small, but the bed is 

 very small. It may cost a few moments' trouble, and 

 a little something for seed, soil, fertilizer, pots, etc. 

 It may even cost more than you get the first year, but 

 another season you should do much better. Try it 

 and you will be convinced that it will pay, because 

 the lettuce, with care, will be superior to any heads 

 you can buy at any price in the stores. Fresh lettuce 

 is one thing, store lettuce quite another. 



If a little more space can be used, say one or two 

 square yards more, sow in the early spring seeds of 

 parsley. It will be very welcome to the house-mother 

 all through the latter half of the summer. To ex- 

 tend the season take up some of the best plants in 

 September, and they will grow in pots or boxes in a 

 sunny window well into December, and furnish flavor- 

 ing for soups, or dressing for fish. Another good 



