A FARM GARDEN 67 



coarse litter. The mulching may be done after the plants have 

 come through the ground. It serves the purpose of conserving 

 moisture, keeping the ground mellow and smothering weeds. 



Do not make the mistake of having the vegetable border shaded 

 by trees. Let it be at the opposite side of the yard rather than 

 under large shade trees or fruit trees. 



If the vegetables here referred to are to be planted in the regu- 

 lar garden they should be along one side rather than through the 

 center. If they are at a distant side of the garden from the house 

 they will allow the gardener to give more attention to the crops 

 which require frequent planting and frequent tillage. 



Horse-culture Gardening. — The annual crops in the garden 

 make up by far the largest area. They should be planted in rows 

 far enough apart to allow the use of a horse cultivator between the 

 rows. This would mean about three or three and one-half feet, 

 depending upon the amount of land available. A little room should 

 be allowed at the ends of the rows for turning with a horse and cul- 

 tivator. It is plainly evident that the rows should be as long as 

 convenient, and should at least run the length of the area. Less 

 space will be wasted at the turning ends, and less time will be 

 required for turning. 



Some gardeners will raise the objection that they do not care 

 for long rows of some of the crops in the garden. In that case half 

 rows, quarter rows or less can be planted and several crops will be 

 found growing in the same row. 



There are some crops which would be easily covered with a 

 horse cultivator unless great care is exercised. An adjustable cul- 

 tivator may be used so that the teeth or shovels will be some dis- 

 tance from the plants. (Fig. 48 — B. C.) Another remedy for the 

 difficulty is to have growing with the small vegetables a few plants 

 of some larger kind. For example, when carrots, parsnips or salsify 

 are very young they need something along with them, such as rad- 

 ish or turnip to show the location of the row. This makes it possi- 

 ble to go through with the cultivator much more easily, and 

 thus prevent the smothering of the crop by growth of weeds. 

 Weeds should not be allowed to get ahead of the crop while waiting 

 for the crop to become large enough to cultivate. Some gardeners 

 go through ahead of the cultivator and sprinkle lime dust along the 

 row so that the cultivation can be done with less danger of covering. 



A Farm Garden. — The accompanying plan of a garden 100 by 

 200 feet from Circular 198, Illinois Station, is arranged for horse 



