20 
A KITCHEN GARDEN 
true of the nurseryman or small-fruit grower from 
whom the supply of roots and plants is to be pur¬ 
chased. On no part of the farm is “Pedigree Stock ” 
of more importance than in the kitchen garden. I 
will speak further on of the saving of seeds, and refer 
now only to those which it is necessary to buy. First, 
it is often a saving of several days to have the seed 
on hand, as it is sometimes impossible to foretell just 
when you will need the seed to plant a certain plot, 
how soon the ground will be fit to work, or how soon 
wil] come the opportunity, in the press of other work; 
if you have the seed at hand that part is always 
ready, and this is quite an item where the garden fre¬ 
quently has to be attended to in the intervals of farm 
work. Next, it is a cash saving to order all your 
seeds at one time. If, as is most frequently the case, 
you have to send to some large city for your supply, 
by procuring all that you need at one time, you have 
but one freight or express charge to pay. In making 
up your order, stick to the old varieties that you know 
suit your soil and your market; all the more if your 
market is your own table, for the greatest pleasure in 
gardening is in testing the merits of your fruits and 
vegetables with the appetite engendered by their cul¬ 
ture. Also take into consideration the preferences of 
the household department as to the cooking merits 
of the different varieties. Do not experiment with 
your main crop of any vegetable, but do not neglect 
to try such new varieties as seem to possess merit, for 
the varieties are being continually improved by good 
culture and selection, as well as by hybridization or 
cross-breeding. To have a fine garden, the gardener 
