14 • AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



THE GARDEN. 



POEM, ASPECT, ARRANGEMENT, &C. 



There is, of coui'se, no absolute rule for either the size, 

 shape, aspect, or arrangement of a garden ; each one may follow, 

 in each of these respects, the dictates of possibility, convenience, 

 or fancy. But, keeping in view the main pm'pose of this work 

 as a directory for an American home garden, I have given a plan 

 suitable for gardens of various sizes, and such directions for 

 their general an-angements, as will, if adopted, economize labor, 

 and afford facilities for successful cultm'e. 



It is desirable that the gai'den spot be neai-ly level, and if 

 with a gentle descent toward the south or southeast, so much 

 the better. 



If convenience and other considerations permit, it is very de- 

 sirable that yom' gaixlen be located upon high and ch-y land, 

 rather than in a low and more moist spot. In moist valleys, 

 and even from the small chshed hollows in a lot otherwise level 

 and dry, the greater amount and rapidity of evaporation causes 

 the early fall and late spring frosts, which so often injm'e crops. 

 They result from the operation of the same principle upon 

 which, by the rapid evaporation of ether, ice may be formed 

 even in the simlight of a summer day. They " fall in the hol- 

 lows," as it is familiarly expressed, and are avoided by choosing 

 an elevated and dry spot for the garden. 



Should any one, disliking the simplicity of the p)lan given, 

 desire to have his vegetable garden cut up into small beds or 

 fanciful forms, he will find it easy to do it, or hire it done to 

 his satisfaction. On the other hand, the " mechanical prepara- 

 tion" may be less thorough than that proposed, the " protec- 

 tion" omitted, and the " appendages" entirely dispensed with, 

 and the garden loe yet made to yield an abundant retmii, if the 

 directions in regard to planting and culture are observed. 



In form the garden may be squai-e, or neaidy so, an oblong 

 form perhaps being preferable, of which the measm'ement east 

 and west is somewhat greater than north and south. 



The garden-house, if you should build one, with the other 

 appendages descriljed p. 26 and onward, should occupy the 



