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THE work of planning the garden in as much as it consists in deciding what and how much we shall plant and where we shall plant it-may very well be done long in advance of the season of active operations. Indeed, it is a distinct and pleasurable advantage to make the long winter evenings supplement the long summer days by devoting a portion of them to the seed cataloges and other garden literature.
The selection of varieties of vegetables to grow should be largely influenced by those, which form one's daily fare throughout the season. Vegetables which are seldom purchased-unless it is because of there high price or scarcity-may not profitably be cultivated in the home garden. But in the case of high-priced products, then the home garden demonstrates its economic value as enabling one to indulge in otherwise unattainable luxuries. Plainly, then, one should grow in abundance those things of which most consumption is made. There will be a demand for those vegetables which come earliest in spring-rhubarb, asparagus, radishes, lettuce, and such quick-growing things; and for vegetables which may be stored in the basement to increase the none-too-generous variety of the winter larder potatoes, parsnips, carrots, squash, and the like. Sweet corn, beans, peas, and beets, especially those for early greens, cabbage, cauliflower, and tomatoes, will be indispensable summer products, which must be provided for.
A little study of the cataloges or of the instructions under the heading of various vegetables elsewhere on this homepage will show the height of these, the period at which they are in season, and the distance apart they should be planted, and this data will furnish the necessary information as to quantity of seed or number of plants required for a given area.
If the land devoted to the kitchen garden is comprised in the boundaries of a city lot the arrangement will, necessarily, be somewhat different than that which would prevail in the country, where the garden occupies more ground and is more or less retired from observation.
Find your vegetable.
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