THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER. 65 



supplied the table for our small family for many- 

 weeks. Did it pay to spend it on the home lot? 



The first return from the garden came on May 17th 

 For the first ten days radishes were the only cheering 

 thing to suggest the spring. Then the spinach began 

 on May 26th, and soon came in a flood. By the 

 first week in June young onions, beet tops and lettuce 

 began to add a pleasant variety. On the 17th peas 

 came also, and on the 23d strawberries. On the 24th 

 the first delicate heads of young cabbage, and two 

 days later the first potatoes. Beans and cauliflowers 

 welcomed July, and then there was more than the 

 home market could absorb. On the first day of 

 August the total receipts from the garden, at the 

 retail prices reported by The American Garden and 

 in the village stores, amounted to just $23.10, or $8.13 

 in money value over the cash cost. 



Through August the crops kept the table supplied 

 with everything needed. Cucumbers came into bear- 

 ing on the first of the month, and tomatoes soon after. 

 On several days there were five kinds of vegetables 

 served at one meal. There were no days without 

 one, with two for an average. The crop of early 

 potatoes was very small — a practical failure — and as 

 there was no room for more, potatoes had to be pur- 

 chased again by the last of August. As it was, one 

 peck of choice potato seed supplied a crop that 

 carried the house for six weeks, this being a decided 

 failure. Turnips and beets did not do very well, ex- 

 cept a small lot of beets on trial Among the best 

 of the beets are the New Eclipse and the Early 

 Dewing. The seed was from Philadelphia, and the 

 beets proved of excellent quality. The Eclipse grew 

 to enormous size, and were of fine flavor. Of onions 

 a row of white silverskin onions proved to be of 

 medium size, but of fine quality ; name not known. 



