Spirit Of The Age

AGRICULTURAL

The Garden.

A good garden is an essential part of the comfort of every family, and if a small piece of ground is set apart for the cultivation of the necessary vegetables, it will be found to repay ten fold more than any portion of the farm. In towns and villages where a spot can be obtained, it is highly valued. The relaxation it affords for a few minutes in the day to the business of professional men, the exercise after the cares and labor of the day are over—the luxury of a plentiful supply of vegatables fresh from the ground—and the fruit of his own labor, are all considerations of no little consequence, and the cultivation of the soil, even in a small way, is an improvement to the body as well as the mind.

Of the first importance is the richness of the soil, for we can never expect to succeed if we are stinting in the application of manures. The spot may be as beautiful as can be selected, but unless it is manured liberally, there will be nothing inviting or good in it, and very little profit can be derived from it.

The manure should be of the best quality, and in applying it, it should be thoroughly mixed with the soil, and with deep trenching and good cultivation there will not be much cause of complaint of the summer droughts. Guano and poudrette, if judiciously applied, will be found peculiarly well fitted for the garden. If stable manure is used it should be spread evenly over the surface, and then the ground should be deeply ploughed or spaded, and completely pulverized. No matter what you intend to plant, this is an essential point. It serves to give a free circulation of air about the roots, and they can extend with ease into the loose, prepared soil. If the season should be dry, it will, in a great degree, prevent the effects of drought, by allowing the moisture from below to ascend for the support of the plants. If the soil is not naturally deep, it should be spaded and thoroughly trenched to the depth of eighteen inches, and made very rich with manure, which process will soon produce a soil of sufficient depth. We advise the use of the spade in all cases even when ploughing might be done to answer the purpose. It divides the earth more perfectly, and mixes the manure more thoroughly, leaving the soil at the same time more porous and permeable. The extra labor will be more than repaid by increasing the products. When the soil is principally clay, it will be materially benefited by the application of sand in sufficient quantity. This should be put on before the ground is spaded. It will not only benefit the crop but make the soil more loose and easier to cultivate. If sand predominates, make the soil good and retentive of moisture by the addition of clay. Heavy soils will be improved by having the manure mixed with twice its bulk of peatswamp earth, or good vegetable mould. This would be better to lie in a pile for a few months before it is used. The quantity of manure will be increased, and the soil made light and warm. In the application of sand to stiff soils it will be found that one load of coarse sand is worth more than two loads of fine. Blacksmith's cinders pounded fine, and sweepings from the shop, with coal dust and charcoal, will all be found valuable applications to such soils as are liable to poach or bake, and at the same time be valuable as fertilizers. The Super phosphate of lime, from our little experience with it, we are inclined to think can be applied with more safety and benefit generally, during the growing season, than any other fertilizer. We need not impress upon you the necessity of a bountiful supply of the ordinary culinary vegetables, as this is apparent to all. When the garden is made sufficiently rich and receives proper and regular attention, with care in selecting the very best seeds, there will always be an abundant supply. We will, from time to time, give proper directions for the cultivation of such vegetables as are not generally introduced in our gardens, as there are many such of recent introduction to garden tillage, which furnish nutritive, palatable and luxurious dishes when properly prepared, which are not yet disseminated among the farmers of the country.—Southern Agriculturist.