VEGETABLE GARDENING 



155 



the children and the mothers and fathers interesting 

 and enjoyable recreation. A little garden, perhaps not 

 more than a rod square, may become a real playground 

 on which one may rest the mind from business cares, 

 keep himself in close touch with nature, and sup- 

 ply himself with 

 good things to eat. 

 Growing many dif- 

 ferent kinds of 

 plants in the gar- 

 den will increase 

 our interest and 

 pleasure in it. 

 There is great en- 

 joyment in grow- 

 ing some rare 

 plant, or in grow- 

 ing all the varieties 



USING THE WHEEL HOE IN AN ONION PATCH 



of some garden 



vegetable, or in producing the finest specimens. 



Preparing the soil. - - The first thing of importance 

 is to make the soil of the garden as fertile as possible. 

 This can be secured by careful tillage and the addition 

 of fertilizers. If the soil is in good tilth and has an 

 abundance of organic matter and mineral plant food, 

 along with the proper conditions of moisture, success 

 is almost certain with nearly all of the things we may 

 plant. A vegetable garden is usually one of the most 

 profitable things on a farm. 



