146 SOUTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 



for South Dakota if covered in winter by and planted in a pro- 

 tected place. 



GARDEN VEGETABLES. 



The experiments which have been made during the past 

 three years have had for their object the determination of the 

 adaptability, of well known garden vegetables to the climate and 

 soil of South Dakota. In endeavoring to sum up results for the 

 period named, two facts seem thoroughly demonstrated. First, 

 the prairie soil of South Dakota, essentially the same throughout 

 the state, is especially adapted to the cultivation of almost all 

 garden vegetables ; and second, that our range of choice is limit- 

 ed chiefly by the water supply, both In soil and air, and in less 

 degree by other climatic conditions. 



Such garden crops as mature in a comparatively short grow- 

 ing season, and whose edible portions are seeds or roots, are suc- 

 cessful with us. Succulent fruits, such as the tomato, and crops 

 that require a great amount of rain, as the cabbage, are uniform- 

 ly unprofitable or are precarious. 



Vegetables, in the growth of which good culture can com- 

 pensate to the necessary degree for a limited rainfall, have prov- 

 en successful. 



As to varieties, our experiments indicate what one would 

 naturally expect to find, that early sorts are more uniformly suc- 

 cessful than late kinds. 



The vegetable garden should be thoroughly enriched with 

 well rotted barn yard manure. A black soil with sand and por- 

 ous subsoil is best, and the- early vegetables at least, like plenty 

 of sunshine. 



Of garden roots or perennial vegetables, rhubarb, asparagus, 

 and horse radish should have their place in every garden. Horse 

 radish will thrive under neglect, but rhubarb and asparagus re- 

 quire very rich soil for best results. Asparagus succeeds best 

 in low situations, if the soil be well drained and warm. The one 

 or two-year-old plants can be purchased of nursery men, or the 

 seed may be sown in drills, the one-year-old plants being set in 

 beds the following spring. The soil should be spaded deep and 



