SOIL AND PREPARATION. 11 



to germinate, the ground will be lost for that crop at 

 least, and when the stock is impure the case will be still 

 more serious. . For instance, if cabbage, lettuce, or any 

 crop of this kind, upon which much labor has been ex- 

 pended, proves other than what it should be, the result 

 must be damaging, if not ruinous. In view of these 

 facts, seedsmen are very particular to buy only from 

 known and responsible growers ; hence, the new beginner 

 must aim to establish a reputation for responsibility. In 

 seed-growing, great care must be taken to keep far apart 

 such as will mix by the blossom, and it is advisable not to 

 grow seeds in many varieties of any one class of vege- 

 table. It is further of great importance always to save 

 " stock seed " from the very best of whatever kind, and 

 in saving the main crop to select only perfect specimens. 



In describing the varieties of the different kinds of 

 vegetables, I have noticed only such as are the most 

 popular about New York, and the descriptions are mainly 

 to aid in making selections for seed. For a complete list 

 of varieties and descriptions in minute detail of almost 

 every known vegetable, the reader is referred to a book 

 entitled " Vegetables of America," by Fearing Burr, Jr., 

 the most complete work of its class ever published in this 

 country. 



SOIL AND PREPARATION. 



The soil for growing vegetables and seeds should be as 

 near as possible a deep loam ; it may be more or less 

 sandy, but avoid clay, or anything heavier than a clay 

 loam. It should have a free but not too porous subsoil, 

 and if not dry, should be made so by draining. Here I 

 would say, if possible, select a soil that is naturally dry, 

 or, in other words, that which will not retain the surface 

 water. 



It is quite as important that the subsoil be such as to 



