18 Ricliard Froisclier'^s Almanac and Oar den Manual 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



The size de^jeuds upon the purposes for which it is iuteuded; 

 whether the family is large or small, aud the time which can be 

 devoted to its cultivation. The most suitable soil for a garden is 

 a light loam. When the soil is too heavy, it ought to be made 

 light by ai)plying stable manure, aud working up the ground 

 thoroughly. Trenching as doue iu Europe, or North, is not ad- 

 visable, at least where there is any coco, as by trenching the 

 roots of this pest will get so deeply incorporated with the soil that 

 it will be very hard afterwards to get rid of it. Exposure to- 

 wards 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 Celery, Cabbage and other seeds during the 

 hot summer months, which will be an advantage. The seed beds 

 for this pnri>ose should be so arranged as to receive only the 

 morning or evening sun. It is 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 ia well decomposed stable or barnyard manure. Manure 

 from cows will suit best for light, sandy soilj horse manure for 

 heavy, stift clay lands. For special purposes, Peruvian Guano, 

 Blood Fertilizer, Eaw Bone, Cotton Seed Meal and other com- 

 mercial manures may be employed with advantage. Where the 

 land is very sandy, cotton seed meal has the most iastin^;^ effect. 

 For quick growing crops, such as Melons, Cucumbers, etc., the 

 Blood Fertilizer and Guano applied in the hills, is very good. 

 Soap suds are good for Celery; it is astonisuing to i)erceive 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 market gaideners raise as 

 iine vegetables as can be i)roduced anywhere; in fact, some vari- 

 eties cannot be excelled, and very few gardeners use anything 

 but stable manure. 



Rotation ^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 iu order to raise good 

 vegetables. When plants are up the ground should be stirred 

 fiequently; weeds ought not to be suffered to go into seed, but 

 should be destroyed as soon as they appear. Hoeing aud work- 

 ing the young crops during dry weather is very beneficial, be- 



