FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 19 
THE MEGE TABLE GARDEN. 
The size depends upon the purposes for which it is intended; whether the 
family is large or small, and the time which can be devoted to its cultivation. The 
most suitable soil fora garden is a light loam. When the soil is too heavy, it 
ought to be made light by applying stable manure, and working up the ground 
thoroughly. Trenching as done in Europe, or North, is not advisable, at least 
where there is any cocoa, as by trenching the roots of this pest will get so deeply 
incorporated with the soil that trouble will be met with afterwards to get rid of it. 
Exposure towards the east is desirable. If there are one or more large trees in 
the garden, or on the immediate outside, their shade can be used in which to sow 
‘elery, Cabbage and other seeds during the hot summer months, which will be an 
advantage. Theseed beds for this purpose should beso arranged as to receive only 
the morning or evening sun. Itis of the greatest importance that the ground 
should be well drained, otherwise it will be impossible to raise good vegetables. 
The most reliable manure for general purposes is well decomposed stable or barn- 
yard manure. Cow manure will suit best for light, sandy soil, and horse manure 
for heavy, stiff clay lands. For special purposes, Peruvian Guano, Blood Ferti- 
lizer, Raw Bone, Cotton Seed Meal and other commercial manures may be em- 
ployed with advantage. Of late years most gardeners who work their land with a 
plow, use Cow peas as a fertilizer with excellent result. They are sown broad-cast 
at the rate of 14 bushels to the acre, and when large enough they are turned under, 
Where the land is very sandy, cotton seed meal has the most lasting effect. For 
quick growing crops, such as Melons, Cucumbers, etec., the Blood Fertilizer and 
Guano applied in the hills are very good. Soap suds are good for Celery; it is as- 
tonishing to perceive the difference in the size of those stalks which are watered 
every few days with the suds, and others on the same ground which are not. Wood 
ashes are best for Peas, either used as a top dressing when the Peas just come out 
of the ground, or else sprinkled in the rows when planted. The New Orleans mar- 
ket gardeners raise as fine vegetables as can be produced anywhere; in fact, some 
varieties cannot be excelied, and very few gardeners use anything but stable 
manure. 
Botation of Crops is another important item. Beets, Carrots and other 
roots should not be grown in succession on the same ground, but should be changed 
to those which grow above ground, such as Lettuce, Beans, Peas, etc. Good seed, 
good ground and good cultivation are essential in order to raise good vegetables. 
When plants are up, the ground should be stirred frequently ; weeds ought not to 
be suffered to go into seed, but should be destroyed as soon as they appear. Hoe- 
ing and working the young crops during dry weather is very beneficial, because the 
weeds are then easily killed, amd hoeing the ground will make it retain moisture 
better than if it were left alone. | 
