CONTENTS 
Vll 
PAGE 
seed. Seeds for a whole farm tested by a schoolgirl. Preparation of 
a seed bed. Sifting. The ideal soil resembles soot. Seeds grown in 
" fined soil ” outstrip others. Distance apart and depth. A planting 
box. Approximate rules for planting different kinds of seeds. Chil- 
dren are averse to " thinning out.” Seeds planted instead of sown. 
Steps in the process of planting : drilling, laying in seeds, packing, 
mulching, labeling. Indoor planting for future transplanting; for ex- 
periments. Growing under glass. How to make a cold frame. A hot- 
bed. Planting bulbs. 
CHAPTER VII. THE ART OE MAKING THINGS GROW . 99 
Tending the soil follows planting. A caked soil sheds water. The 
roots starve ; weeds take possession. A dust blanket conserves mois- 
ture. Cultivation or dry farming. The art of watering. A plant tonic. 
Irrigation on a grand scale : at Milan, in Dakota. Irrigation for little 
gardens. Never expose seedlings to a hot sun. Plants easy to trans- 
plant. Devices for transplanting. Setting out shrubs. A few favorite 
shrubs. Good luck in gardening means devotion. 
CHAPTER VIII. JUST HOW 112 
Beans : Warm, dry soil. Moisture. Several plantings. Beware of rust. — 
Beets : Rich, light soil. Constant cultivation. Eirst thinnings for greens. 
Cooking. — Cabbage: Cabbage the whole year through. Three varieties. 
Generous manuring. The cabbage worm and other enemies. Cooking. 
A cabbage gone to seed. The cabbage tribe. — Carrots : The earth 
well tilled. Cultivate carefully. Early carrots and late. Cooking. — 
Lettuce: Cos and cabbage. Indoor planting. Cultivate constantly. 
Preparation for table. — Onions : Sets or seeds. Rich earth. Cultiva- 
tion important. Root maggot, smut^ and blight. — Parsley : Slow ger- 
minating. Medium soil. Cultivate well. Use as garnish and seasoning. 
— Radish: Three varieties. Pine, rich earth. Soil well worked. Plant 
successively. Thin well. Store winter radishes in sand. — Spinach : 
Secure a quick growth by plant tonic. Record of one garden. Prepara- 
tion for the table. — Tomato : The original tomato. Plant early. Trans- 
plant several times. One ounce gives two thousand plants. Eertilize 
with manure. Plants must not spindle. Make supports. Pick fruit as 
soon as ripe. Tomato worm. — Herbs : Mint, parsley, sage, and thyme. 
Peppermint, lavender, and catnip. Light earth. Cultivate well. Dry 
in the garret. 
