G a r d e h i n g i n California 



walks will dry more quickly after watering or after rains than 

 they would if facing the North. 



Another exceedingly important point to be kept in view is 

 that water and water in abundance must be provided for a 

 garden, for unless there is an ample supply during our long Sum- 

 mer, gardening in general cannot be successful. Therefore it is 

 necessary before selecting a site for the garden, to see that water 

 may be had in generous quantities and at all times, either from 

 wells, by pipe from reservoir, or by ditch from stream. In the 

 neighborhood of cities and large towns it may be procured from 

 public works, and, of course, within the cities, water can be had 

 in any reasonable quantity desired, but in the country, or where 

 there are no public pipes in the vicinity, wells will have to be 

 bored or dug, or a supply procured by the other means suggested. 



After the site is selected, the next study should be the pre- 

 liminary plan for the improvement of the ground, the first and 

 most important point to be decided being upon what part of the 

 site the dwelling-house shall be built. This requires long and 

 careful study, for the ground must be visited frequently and at 

 different times of the day, in stormy weather as well as when 

 the days are warm and sunny. Consideration must be given to 

 the views that may be enjoyed from the windows of the different 

 rooms, and, in connection with this, it is necessary to anticipate 

 the possible use to which the adjoining properties may be put, 

 especially as to whether there is a likelihood of buildings being 

 erected so as to interfere with or be a blot upon expected 

 views. Then if there are any objectionable features on 

 neighboring properties, this is the time when the plans 

 should be prepared so that, in the arrangement of the build- 

 ing and planting of the grounds, these objectionable points may 

 be shut off from view as much as possible. 



When the part of the grounds upon which the house is to be 

 built has been determined, it should be staked off with strong 

 stakes, (say four-inch by four-inch pine), driven in three feet 



