ric-v -jGT-rjt-i'/ 



GARDEN 



WHEN the time of actual result comes, 

 then indeed the garden has mate- 

 rially paid. 



Most of you boys and girls have not gar- 

 dens large enough to raise vegetables for 

 winter storage. The dinner-table and an 

 occasional sale to a neighbor take about 

 all one can raise from a little garden. But 

 if any one has raised product enough for 

 winter, then store such product in some cool, 

 dark, and dry place. Those who happen to 

 have vegetable cellars are fortunate. 



Our own monthly reminder suggests the 

 planting of seeds for next year. In such 

 cases choose some sheltered spot in the gar- 

 den. Make the soil very, very fine by con- 

 stantly working it over and over. Sow the 

 seeds in this mellow bit of land. 



Such small seeds as pansy seed need 

 go hardly beneath the upper soil. Just 

 dust a little finely sifted earth over the seed 

 after planting. Such beds may be covered 

 with sacking and watered through the sack- 

 ing. This prevents the washing away of 

 the small seed, which might easily happen 

 if the bed were watered directly. 



Just before frost, cover over such beds as 

 these with dried leaves or straw. Thus 

 protected all the winter through, the Httle 

 seedlings slowly grow. When uncovered 

 in the spring a good growth will be found. 

 Such plants Hterally shoot up under the 

 influence of gentle rains and spring sunshine. 



Just a word about your exhibits. If you 

 send products in to us, do pack them with 



THE BEST EXHIBIT OF ALL IS ALWAYS 

 THE GARDEN ITSELF — EVEN THOUGH 

 PRODUCTS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING 

 REMOVED, THE GENERAL EFFECT MAY 

 BE THAT OF A NEAT AND ORDERLY 

 GARDEN — IT HAS BEEN TOO GOOD A 

 FRIEND TO YOU TO NEGLECT NOW^ 



Conducted by 

 ELLEN EDDY SHAW 



New York 



care. Poorly packed fruit makes a wretched 

 showing. 



As you exhibit in the grange or school 

 shows remember to prepare the specimens 

 carefully; that is, wash the vegetables so 

 that, free from adhering soil, they show 

 for all they are worth. Seven good-sized 

 specimens of potatoes or tomatoes are suf- 

 ficient. This represents what is termed a 

 plate. Whenever products are bunched, as 

 in the case of radishes and onions, use twelve 

 specimens to the bunch. Remember that the 

 vegetables should be of uniform size. 

 Arrange all exhibited matter with great care. 



In the case of a floral exhibit, just as great 

 care should be taken as in the vegetable ex- 

 hibit. The flowers should be arranged with 

 an eye to color. Do not put in the same 

 bouquet all colors of the rainbow. Bunch 

 the tiowers separately. Pick these the night 

 before the exhibit, and place in water, leav- 

 ing in a cool place over night. Better not 

 use too full-blown blooms. 



If at the place of exhibition there are no 

 jars for the specimens, bring plain white 

 glass ones, if possible. Fruit jars are not 

 at all bad for this purpose. 



Whether the exhibit be vegetables or 

 flowers the follo^^'ing suggestions are equally 

 important. Label each specimen with its 

 name and the name of the exhibitor. If the 

 latter is not desired, then each specimen 

 should have on its label the number of the 

 person exhibiting. 



If possible have exhibits indoors. Last 



fall I saw a number of fall flower and vege- 

 table shows which suffered much in appear- 

 ance because they were held outdoors. The 

 vegetables had become quite wilted. 



Another point to keep in mind is that of 

 arrangement. Give plenty of space. Products 

 huddled together are likely to look inferior. 



Plenty of space, arrangement with an eye 

 to color effect, legible labeling, well cleaned 

 and selected specimens; all these points 

 go toward making a good exhibit. 



Things to be Attended to 



THE reminders are fewer in number this 

 month, but should be carried out just 

 as carefully: 



(i) Do not leave on plants old dried leaves 

 or faded flowers. Keep the plants clean. 



(2) If dahlias are bending over, tie to 

 stakes. Have the stakes stand a bit higher 

 than actually needed. If tied too low, the 

 condition is not helped at all, but hindered. 



(3) Plants that need a little extra nourish- 

 ment might be watered with liquid manure. 



(4) It is just the time to start next year's 

 pansy bed. 



(5) Sow seeds of hardy annuals, biennials, 

 and perennials in a rather sheltered spot in 

 the garden. Cover with leaves before the 

 time of hea^y frost. 



(6) As you take pictures of your garden or 

 of some specially fine product, remember that 

 a picture should tell a stor}-. Do not have your 

 own picture taken in the garden or with your 

 products unless there is a good reason for it. 



Children's exiiibit at Marlborougli. Massacliussets. The general plan oi arrangement and. the labeling is 

 good, but note the lack of space bet'ween the individual exhibits 



Foreign children raising produccb oi the x- acheriand 

 make another tie between home and school 



