PREFACE 



WITH some, the home vegetable garden 

 is a hobby; with others, especially in 

 these days of high prices, a great 

 help. There are many in both classes whose 

 experience in gardening has been restricted 

 within very narrow bounds, and whose present 

 spare time for gardening is limited. It is as 

 ^^first aid'^ to such persons, who want to do 

 practical, efficient gardening, and do it with 

 the least possible fuss and loss of time, that 

 this book is written. In his own experience 

 the author has found that garden books, 

 while seldom lacking in information, often do 

 not present it in the clearest possible . way. 

 It has been his aim to make the present vol- 

 ume first of all practical, and in addition to 

 that, though comprehensive, yet simple and 

 concise. If it helps to make the way of the 

 home gardener more clear and definite, its 

 purpose will have been accomplished. 



