47 



HOW TO MAINTAIN A SUPPLY OF VEGETABLES 

 FOR FAMILY CONSUMPTION THROUGHOUT THE 

 YEAR. 



By Mr. J. Smith, F.R.H.S., Mentmore. 



A book might be written on this subject ; in fact, many books 

 have already been written giving the history and cultivation of 

 each known vegetable. In the short time allowed for this paper 

 it is impossible to give full details of each kind of vegetable that 

 should be grown to sustain a regular supply all the year round. 

 I can only indicate the lines to adopt to secure the end in view. 

 The garden may be large or small, according to the demands and 

 the means allowed for cultivating it. One acre of ground well 

 cultivated will produce more vegetables than two acres half 

 cultivated, besides being a far greater pleasure to the owner. 

 So that whatever may be decided upon as to the extent of ground 

 set apart for producing a supply, let it always be of the very 

 best quality at command, and receive as much attention as the 

 choicest flowers or fruits in the garden. 



The aspect is a very important point. South or south-west 

 is perhaps the best ; if the latter can be secured so much the 

 better, as the two walls facing south and south-west can be used 

 for growing choice fruits, such as Peaches, Plums, Cherries, &c, 

 &c, and the borders will be invaluable for early vegetables. I 

 need hardly mention the subject of heavy manuring, as this is 

 so well known to every practical gardener. Suffice it to say 

 that really first-class vegetables cannot be grown without an 

 ample supply of good manure. " A large dunghill, a large 

 crop," is an old saying and a true one. Give plenty of manure, 

 dig often and well — not surface-digging, but 12 or 18 inches 

 deep, according to circumstances. Trenching is a very im- 

 portant operation with all good cultivators. However, both 

 digging and trenching are now so well understood that they re- 

 quire no comment from me. Next in importance comes mulch- 

 ing, which keeps the moisture in the ground ; this operation is 

 of far more importance than is generally recognised, as it not 

 only keeps the roots moist in summer, but it protects them from 

 frost in winter. Litter from the stable is the best for keeping- 

 out frost, but for summer mulching there is nothing better than 



