CHAPTER I 

 Home Gardens 



The high cost of living, a better understanding of 

 the dietetic value of garden products and the possible 

 influence of the same upon the contentment and 

 happiness of the family are perhaps the principal 

 factors responsible for the present interest in the 

 vegetable garden as a valuable, almost a necessary- 

 adjunct to every home, where surroundings virill 

 possibly permit. The city dweller is interested in 

 the home garden as a means of reducing the high 

 cost of living or as a means of securing rest and 

 recreation from a confining indoor life. In addi- 

 tion to this he may be actuated by a real interest in 

 plants and love them for their own sake. 



The hard-working mechanic, the lawyer, the doctor, 

 the clerk, may all find relief from the worry and care of 

 everyday labors in the home garden, with added pleas- 

 ure and profit for every member of the family. True, 

 the area available may seem pitiably small and the 

 soil fail utterly to measure up to the "rich garden 

 loams" described in the books. The slope may not 

 be toward the south as demanded by the experts, 

 nor the drainage and inherent fertility all that might 

 be desired. But what matters it? Success will 

 come if our efforts are prompted by a real desire for 

 a garden. Some kinds will fail to meet expectations 

 even under the best of care, but this will be only an 

 interesting detail in the process of elimination. 

 Some one of the almost endless number of varieties 

 will be found adjusting themselves to the conditions 



