GARDENING FOR LITTLE GIRLS 



This 18-in. path ran clear around the lot, leav- 

 ing a large plot in the center. This plot was then 

 marked off by string or wire to divide it into the 

 vegetable gardens, with little walks between. The 

 vegetable beds measured about 6 by 9 ft., but as 

 6 ft. proved wide for small arms to reach over and 

 cultivate, this year the beds are to be made 5 by 

 10 ft. At first, too, each child grew its own few 

 stalks of corn on its own bed, but it was difficult 

 to manage, so now all the com will be grown in one 

 patch, where it can be more easily hoed. 



The radishes and lettuce, of course, grew most 

 quickly, and within five or six weeks were ready for 

 the table. On that memorable first day, from the 

 fifteen beds, over one thousand radishes alone were 

 picked, and that original planting continued to pro- 

 duce for nearly a month. Successive plantings 

 brought on plenty for the rest of the season. The 

 lettuce, too, grew abundantly, while the cucumbers 

 were especially fine. String beans were ready very 

 early, and three plantings during the season pro- 

 duced sometimes two to three quarts a week for 

 each child. Tomatoes grew in such profusion that 

 once during the hot weather when they ripened 

 faster than usual, a neighboring hospital was given 

 two bushels ! 



And flowers! The children actually could not 

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