CHAPTER XIV 



The Vegetable Garden 



No matter how small the place, none is complete without its own 

 vegetable garden to furnish the home table. In some instances, 

 a vegetable garden is objected to on the ground that it inter- 

 feres with the beauty of the surrounding effects. But the latter can be 

 made to fit in with the general scheme. A weU-planned and neatly- 

 kept vegetable garden need never detract from the general appearance 

 of the place; usually it is a decidedly attractive feature; it lends an air 

 of simplicity and "hominess" which flowers alone caimot furnish. On a 

 "dollars and cents" basis alone, in these days of high prices, the vege- 

 table garden is, or can almost always be made, a paying factor. Even 

 where that side of the matter is to be disputed there is no question 

 that to get the very best quality of vegetables you must grow your own. 



The commercial grower must be guided in his choice of varieties 

 by the market dememds, and by the factor of big yields, even though 

 the varieties which meet these requirements may not be those of the 

 best table quality. The home gardener, on the other hand, may select 

 varieties which satisfy his own personal taste. Furthermore, there are 

 many vegetables which, to be had at their very best, must be gathered 

 only a few hours before they are used. As an old saying has it: "The 

 pot should be boiling before you pick your Com." 



As a hetdthful recreation, nothing surpasses the cultivation of 

 culinary vegetables. It never gets monotonous, for the work changes 

 ■ from day to day, and every day brings its own problems. The work in- 

 volved may be made as mild or as strenuous as is desired. If one fears 

 that not enough exercise is to be had with a hoe, a few hours' "trench- 

 ing" with a spade will give him as big an appetite for his dinner as 

 anything he can find to do. , 



It is not necessary to hesitate about having a vegetable garden 

 because such a location as you may have available is not naturally the 

 most ideal for the purpose. The plot of ground which cannot, with in- 

 telligent preparation, be made to grow successfully practically every 

 one of the garden vegetables, is by all means the exception and not the 

 general rule. At the same time it pays well to take advantage of any 

 favorable natural conditions that may be at hand. The best soil is 

 what is termed a "sandy loam," that is, a good clay soil in which there 

 is enough material of a sand-hke character to keep it friable and work- 



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