Garden plans

Abstract

Introduction: The importance of abundant fruit and vegetables in the diet cannot be overestimated. The diet of the city dweller is more liable to be deficient in these than that of the farmer, because the question of cost influences him more than it does the farmer. However if enough thought be taken in placing and caring for them, the amount of fruit and vegetables that can be grown on an ordinary city lot will make cost a minor question and possibly be a source of revenue. The first plan presented here is of a city lot somewhat larger than the ordinary city lot. A statement of the preparation of the soil, care and planting necessary for orchard fruits, bush fruits, and vegetables will be followed by the application to the lot in question. The second plan of a small garden actually grown in a city lot. For growing fruit trees a gentle slope is best because it provides for good air and water drainage. The air drainage is essential because the constant flow of air lessens the liability to frost and to winter injury and prevents spores of fungous disease from settling. The water drainage is as important because on poorly drained land the trees grow slowly and often have crooked and twisted trunks. A wide range of soils may be used for orchard. Everything from a sandy loam to a fairly heavy clay loam can be used. However certain kinds of fruit do better on some soils than others do. Fletcher says "In general the pome fruits; apples, pears, quinces, prefer a heavier soil than the stone fruits; plums, peaches, cherries and apricots. Apples do especially well on clay loam, pears on heavy clay loam; plums and cherries on a medium loam, peaches and apricots on light sandy loam, quinces on heavy,deep,and moist loam." If the soil…