PREFACE 



The primary object of "The Garden Book" is to 

 help and encourage the home gardener in his efforts 

 to secure for himself and family an abundant supply 

 of vegetables, and thereby obtain a greater economy 

 in the food supply of the home, together with a 

 greater measure of health and happiness for every- 

 one concerned. 



Remembering, however, that these small areas 

 about the home are often only the beginning of an 

 interest and success that rapidly grow into large 

 commercial importance, this phase of the work has 

 not been neglected. The commercial gardener will 

 find the book helpful and suggestive in selecting his 

 location and in planning and managing the planting, 

 cultivation and marketing of his crops. 



The importance of good seed carefully selected is 

 discussed in its various phases. The insects and 

 diseases of vegetables receive their share of atten- 

 tion. These enemies of the garden are discussed 

 from the standpoint of their place in the natural 

 order of things, and the reasons why these pests 

 are more numerous today than in former years also 

 suggests many natural methods for their control. 



The Garden Book makes little claim to originality. 

 The endeavor has been to state in as simple and 

 direct manner as possible those methods and prac- 

 tices that home and commercial gardeners have 

 found most desirable and profitable. 



Should this little book prove helpful in making 

 both home and commercial gardening more pleas- 

 ant and profitable, the author will feel that his 

 efforts have not been without some measure of 

 success. 



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