Gardening books sell by the multiple thousands every year, making one wonder what new information has been found to justify yet another tome on a subject that has been practiced since (indeed nearly defines) the dawn of human civilization. Yet people buy them, in hopes that just one more book will reveal the secret that has so far eluded the aspiring gardener who gazes sadly at a raggedy patch of weeds instead of the beautiful display of fresh healthy vegetables like the one on the book cover.
The mid 1900s were no different. As cookbooks were written for women who were raised in households where servants did much of the cooking but who were now starting out life on their own with husbands who could not (yet) afford household help, so were gardening books written for women coming to the middle class from the opposite direction. Raised perhaps in a city where yards were only big enough for a few flowers, they were now mistresses of more rural, or at least suburban, residences. The city market was far away and households were more dependent on the produce they themselves raised and preserved.
This section of the Cookbook is based largely on The Housekeeper’s Encyclopedia by Mrs. E. F. Haskell. Primarily a cookbook, she includes several pages of excellent detail on gardening, going from the very basics of preparing the soil to the details on how large a section should be devoted to each plant to ensure a large enough harvest for a family. As she puts it:
The writer designs in this chapter to give some general directions to those who are entirely ignorant of agriculture in all its divisions,having been accustomed to live where a patch of green was a luxury only enjoyed by the millionnaire; but who, happily, find themselves snugly settled in a little home of their own, in a quiet country village, where an acre of ground is only too small for the comfort of a family; in such towns no vegetable market for the summer is to be depended upon; every family raise their own… Many beginners in gardening fail for want of the knowledge of a few of the first principles in the science of horti- and agriculture. The first requisite is to prepare the soil in such a manner as to insure the healthy growth of tree or root.
By way of background, Mrs. Haskell’s book was published in New York so we will presume that she lived in the northeast. Those reading this in other regions, or other countries for that matter, should make such adjustments to her advice as is appropriate for your latitude and climate. You can of course simply read her words for the enjoyment of history and appreciation of the past, but you could also try planting just as she advises. “Going organic” wasn’t an option in her time, there being no industrial or chemical based agriculture to speak of. Weeds are removed with hoes, not sprays, and cutworms are thwarted by such measures as wrapping a plant stem in brown paper, held in place by string or packed dirt.
An intriguing exception to the no-chemicals standard is noted in several cases where it is recommended that seeds be soaked in water to which saltpeter has been added. She says it promotes germination and good early growth. You are allowed to skip this step on grounds of either organic purity or the fact that saltpeter is not commonly available these days. Soaking seeds in plain water, particularly peas, works just as well and is highly recommended.
Over the next few days we will be adding some of Mrs. Haskell’s thoughts on everything from the size of garden space recommended for a family of six for assorted vegetables to proper methods for manuring the soil. Individual posts on planting tips for vegetables will be offered too. Some of these may be a bit late for this year (2009) but other varieties don’t get planted until fall. Comments, as always, welcome.
