Garden Plants Grown for Their Stems 285 
Things to Do and Observe 
1. To determine the best kind of soil for potatoes. By inquiry 
and observation learn the kinds of soil in which potatoes are 
grown in your neighborhood. If you find that some are grown 
in different soils, find out which gives the biggest yield. If pota- 
toes are not grown at all in your locality, find the reason why. 
2. To determine what vegetables may be grown successfully as 
border plants. In your visits to gardens note what vegetables 
are used as border plants; that is, what vegetables are planted 
outside the main gardening area. For example, in one garden 
you may find a double row of asparagus along the fence. This 
arrangement does not interfere with the cultivation of the garden, 
and the plants form a pleasing background. What other plants 
do you find grown in this way? 
3. To determine the best time to plant the various crops. Talk 
with gardeners about the best time to plant each crop. Take 
special note of what the older, more experienced gardeners tell 
you. Ifyou find that some go by the condition of the trees, shrubs 
or flowers, make notes of the information given you. 
