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Excerpt from The Garden Book, 1915.
Home
Garden
The hard-working mechanic, the lawyer, the doctor, the clerk,
may all find relief from the worry and care of everyday labors
in the home garden, with added pleasure and profit for every
member of the family. True, the area available may seem pitiably
small and the soil fail utterly to measure up to the "rich
garden loams" described in the books. The slope may not
be toward the south as demanded by the experts, nor the drainage
and inherent fertility all that might be desired. But what
matters it? Success will come if our efforts are prompted
by a real desire for a garden. Some kinds will fail to meet
expectations even under the best of care, but this will be
only an interesting detail in the process of elimination.
Some one of the almost endless number of varieties will be
found adjusting themselves to the conditions available the
following success will be sweeter and more enjoyable because
of the necessary struggles to secure it.
And then what a difference in the quality of the products
of our own garden as they come to the table, crisp with the
morning's dew, as compared with the usual garden products
from the grocery, wilted with days of exposure to heat and
careless handling! Every mouthful gives a sort of double satisfaction.
Every demand of the appetite is met, memory of youthful days
is stirred, and with it all these products stand out as a
sort of tribute to our intelligent direction of the wonderful
forces of nature.
Editor's Note: This is a reprint of an article published
in 1915. It describes what was recommended in accordance with
the knowledge and practices of the day. While reading it,
please consider this fact.
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