EVERY FARMER SHOULD HAVE A GARDEN.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 156, 29 May 1886, Page 7

EVERY FARMER SHOULD HAVE A GARDEN.

It is one of the curiosities of agricultural life in the colonies tbat Ibere is no place where you are less likely to see vegetables and fruit on the dinner table than at a farm house. Of course there are notable exceptions to this rule, but tbe average colonial f aimer does not appear to be aware of his opportunities

to lire woll in this respect, and thus strangely neglects a most valuable source of domestic comfort and health, not to speak of the possible profit where good communication with a town market exists. As an American contcvnporary trgly says, farmers of all classes should enjoy the luxuries of a garden, yet the majority of them do not grow enough fruit and vegetables for a table supply, and in some districts they actually buy them from the cities. They cannot bny as well as they can produce. There is quite a difference between fresh vegetables from the garden and those that have become stale and bruised in the process of marketing and carrying for long distances. The former who is satisfied to sit down to his table with mutton or pork and potatoes, as an every day diet, simply denies himself the enjoyments which his calling allows him.* As the busy season of, spring sets in, the farmers are usually too engrossed to give their attention <o so small a matter as a garden, but we can assure them that insignificent as a garden may seem, it contains more that adds to the enjoyment of life on the farm than anything else produced upon it. The gardenless farmer knows nothing of delicacies. He satisfies himself with very little, and compels his family to do the same, yet \3 surprised when his children seek occupations in the city where they find more enjoyment and live upon a variety of food. The farmer has* an advantage over' his city brother for enjoying luxuries. The strawberry, and many other varieties of fruits may bo placed up'»n his taMe daily if he will have them, but he overlooks those things that are within his province, and allows others to enjoy what he should have in abundance. Farmers do not overlook the garden. Devote a space t-> the garden even if S"ine other crop must be sacrificed.