CONTENTS vii 



seed. Seeds for a whole farm tested by a schoolgirl. Preparation of 

 a seed bed. Sifting. The ideal soil resembles soot. Seeds grown in 

 " fined soil " outstrip others. Distance apart and depth. A planting 

 box. Approximate rules for planting different kinds of seeds. Chil- 

 dren are averse to "thinning out." Seeds planted instead of sown. 

 Steps in the process of planting : drilling, laying in seeds, packing, 

 mulching, labeling. Indoor planting for future transplanting ; for ex- 

 periments. Growing under glass. How to make a cold frame. A hot- 

 bed. Planting bulbs. 



CHAPTER VII. THE ART OF MAKING THINGS GROW . 99 



Tending the soil follows planting. A caked soil sheds water. The 

 roots starve ; weeds take possession. A dust blanket conserves mois- 

 ture. Cultivation or dry farming. The art of watering. A plant tonic. 

 Irrigation on a grand scale : at Milan, in Dakota. Irrigation for little 

 gardens. Never expose seedlings to a hot sun. Plants easy to trans- 

 plant. Devices for transplanting. Setting out shrubs. A few favorite 

 shrubs. Good luck in gardening means devotion. 



CHAPTER VIII. JUST HOW 112 



Beans : Warm, dry soil. Moisture. Several plantings. Beware of rust. 

 Beets : Rich, light soil. Constant cultivation. First thinnings for greens. 

 Cooking. Cabbage : Cabbage the whole year through. Three varieties. 

 Generous manuring. The cabbage worm and other enemies. Cooking. 

 A cabbage gone to seed. The cabbage tribe. Carrots : The earth 

 well tilled. Cultivate carefully. Early carrots and late. Cooking. 

 Lettuce : Cos and cabbage. Indoor planting. Cultivate constantly. 

 Preparation for table. Onions : Sets or seeds. Rich earth. Cultiva- 

 tion important. Root maggot, smut, and blight. Parsley : Slow ger- 

 minating. Medium soil. Cultivate well. Use as garnish and seasoning. 

 Radish : Three varieties. Fine, rich earth. Soil well worked. Plant 

 successively. Thin well. Store winter radishes in sand. Spinach : 

 Secure a quick growth by plant tonic. Record of one garden. Prepara- 

 tion for the table. Tomato : The original tomato. Plant early. Trans- 

 plant several times. One ounce gives two thousand plants. Fertilize 

 with manure. Plants must not spindle. Make supports. Pick fruit as 

 soon as ripe. Tomato worm. Herbs : Mint, parsley, sage, and thyme. 

 Peppermint, lavender, and catnip. Light earth. Cultivate well. Dry 

 in the garret. 



