4 BECKERT SEED AND BULB COMPANY 



FRESH VEGETABLES FROM 

 YOUR OWN GARDEN PATCH 



IT is easy to grow your own vegetables, you save money by doing it and 

 find interest and health in the occupation. But, best of all, is the 

 eating of them — fresh, with every bit of sweetness, tenderness and rich 

 flavor unimpaired, so surprisingly better than the products of the 

 market stall that those who do not know the secret cannot believe the 

 evidence of their palates. 



Rich acres are not necessary. With a little care a "two-by-four" 

 patch of land on a rocky hillside will produce amazing yields. Any piece 

 of ground can be made into a garden. i 



Start early in the spring as soon as the ground is dry enough to work, 

 and turn the soil with spading fork or plow to a depth of 8 or 10 inches, 

 removing stones and rubbish. Next dig in manure, compost, dead 

 leaves or anything of that nature, to add "humus" to the soil. "Humus" 

 is a name given to any decayed organic matter in the soil. It has two 

 important functions — to furnish plant food and make the soil mellow 

 and retentive of moisture. Lacking any of the humus materials men- 

 tioned, apply liberal quantities of sheep manure (see inside back cover) 

 or one of the complete garden fertilizers described on pages 76 and 77. 

 Mix them well with the soil. And do not be sparing of them. The 

 limit of fertility is not easily reached. 



Now with a steel rake or garden "hook," smooth the surface, breaking 

 up all lumps and making the top soil as fine and level as possible. Lay 

 off your rows and you are ready to sow the seeds for your first crops. 



The rest can be put in a few words. From the time the seedlings are 

 big enough to see until the crops are harvested, keep the soil loose and 

 mellow with hand hoe, wheel hoe or hook. This keeps down the weeds, 

 preserves the moisture in the soil and makes everv- bit of fertility avail- 

 able for the growing plants. 



Thin or transplant the seedlings as soon as they are large enough. If 

 they are crowded in the rows they will not develop properly. Har\'est 

 the crops as soon as they are ready. When any of the early crops has 

 passed its best, clear it off, refit the soil and sow another. Keep your 

 garden working all summer. 



Specific directions for growing each kind of vegetable are given in the 

 following pages. Additional advice, if you want it, is yours for the 

 asking. 



