THE HOME VEGETABLE GARDEN 



plan should be broadened so that crops less generally 

 grown could be used to enhance the value of the garden. 



694. Location. In the selection of a location the fol- 

 lowing factors should be considered: (i) The home 

 garden should be at a convenient distance from the dwell- 

 ing, for much of the work will be done at odd times ; sup- 

 plies must be gathered daily or several times a day; the 

 garden, when properly handled, is attractive. For these 

 and other reasons, it is desirable to have the garden 

 near the house. (2) A sandy loam is preferred, but any 

 soil may be improved so that it will produce good results. 

 (3) Thorough drainage is essential. (4) A gentle slope 

 to the south is preferable to any other slope. (5) There 

 should be protection, natural or artificial, from north and 

 west winds. A hedge or a grove is ornamental. (6) 

 Close proximity to a supply of water is a great ad- 

 vantage. Water is often needed at seed sowing, trans- 

 planting time or for sprinkling. If possible, every home 

 garden should be provided with an above-ground sys- 

 tem of watering. See Chapter VIII. (7) The shade of 

 trees or buildings should be avoided. 



695. Varieties. In the selection of varieties, quality 

 should have first consideration. Vegetables differ greatly 

 in this respect. For example, when one becomes ac- 

 customed to Golden Bantam sweet corn there is no de- 

 sire for the larger, coarser and more insipid varieties. 

 Plant the best for the home table, although it may mean 

 a sacrifice in yield. The time required for various varie- 

 ties to attain maturity is also worth considering. Again, 

 the vigor or size of growth must be known to determine 

 proper planting distances. The home gardener derives 

 much pleasure in testing the more promising novelties 

 from year to year. 



696. The use of glass. There should be ample equip- 

 ment in the way of hotbeds and cold frames. A small 

 greenhouse is very useful in starting early plants, and 



