296 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



should be permanent, as only thus can it be made, by repeated 

 enrichings, to attam the highest degree of fertility. It should 

 have a southerly exposure (southeasterly is better than south- 

 westerly, but due south is best of all) and should have its rows 

 running south (as thus the plants get the sun on both sides 

 during the day). It should be conveniently near the house for 

 tending and picking, especially since the latter is often done by 

 the women of the family. The garden should also be con- 

 venient to the water supply. The question of soil, should 

 there be a choice upon the farm, is also of importance. Any 

 soil can be improved, but the gardener should seek to get a 

 deep medium loam in a location capable of drainage, if that is 

 needed. A slight surface slope is usually sufficient to make 

 drainage unnecessary, provided there is not a clay subsoil. 



This study of the soil gives basis for the plan of yearly im- 

 provement. If the soil is too light manure will add humus. If 

 the soil is too heavy manure will open it up. If it is not rich 

 enough manure will make it richer; and once enriched manure 

 is needed for maintenance. Therefore — manure ! But in addi- 

 tion to this improvement the soil can be deepened by yearly 

 working up a little of the subsoil, and where drainage is neces- 

 sary there is only yearly loss by delaying it. 



Where enough manure is not to be had the richness of the 

 soil may be maintained by yearly setting aside a part of the 

 garden, — if possible a third, — for the growing of a green crop, 

 preferably a legume, for plowing under. And as autumn ap- 

 proaches, any part of the garden that is cleared for the rest of 

 the season should be planted with a cover crop, such as clover, 

 vetch or rye, for plowing under. 



Such individual treatment of small patches means, of course, 

 that the owner recognizes the garden to be the most valuable 

 part of his farm, and accordingly worth the trouble. 



Land for the garden is best broken in late fall. It should be 

 plowed, and the sliced earth left on edge for the frosts to pene- 

 trate deeply. Perennial roots are more easily killed when their 

 roots are exposed, and the ground is made more mellow for 

 spring working. Further, insect pests are turned out of their 

 winter refuge and are killed. If broken in spring the sod 

 should be turned under deeply. Spring enrichment should con- 



