The gardener
has his plants ready, and for a few days watches the sky. At last
he perceives that rain is coming; then he sets out his plants, and
Nature's watering starts them, unwilted, on their new growth.
At the same time I protest against careless, slovenly gardening--
ground imperfectly prepared, crooked rows, seed half covered, or
covered so deeply that the germs are discouraged long before they
reach light. One of the best aids to success is a small compost-
heap composed equally of manure from the horse-stable, the cow-
stable, and of leaves. This should be allowed to stand so long,
and be cut down and turned so often, that it becomes like a fine
black powder, and is much the better for being kept under shelter
from sun and rain.
All who hope to have a permanent garden will naturally think first
of asparagus--one of the vegetables that have bee a longest in
cultivation, and one which is justly among the most valued. It was
cultivated hundreds of years before the Christian era, and is to-
day growing in popular esteem among civilized peoples.
In the matter of preparation I shall take issue with many of the
authorities. I have read and known of instances wherein
extraordinary expense and pains have been bestowed upon the
asparagus-bed. The soil has been dug out to the depth of two or
more feet, the bottom paved, and the homely, hardy roots,
accustomed to roughing it the world over, set out and tended with
a care which, if given to a potato, would make it open its eyes.
Pages:
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192