288 ANNUAL REPORT! OF THE " Off. Doc. 



SOILS ADAPTED TO GARDENING. 



Certain districts of the country are exceptionally well-adapted 

 to maket gardening because of desirable soil characteristics. Long 

 Island, Kalamazoo and other sections are famous for the immense 

 production of certain classes of vegetables. The amateur gardener 

 is liable to conclude, from the great success attained in these favored 

 districts, that he cannot expect more than fair results under less fav- 

 orable conditions. This is far from being correct, however, for bet- 

 ter markets and market facilities may secure for him even larger 

 profits than is possible in districts with better soils. The fact is that 

 almost every Pennsylvania farm contains areas of soil on which some 

 vegetables may be grow^n to the highest perfection. Most of the vege- 

 tables may be grown successfully where general farm crops have 

 been a success. The mechanical or physical properties of the soil 

 are of greater importance than the chemical. The soil should be 

 loose and friable, and stiff soils may soon be improved in texture by 

 the addition of lime and vegetable matter in the way of manure and 

 green crops. The soil shoul be well-drained but retentive of mois- 

 ture. Moisture is the most important factor in securing large crops, 

 and gardeners should strive for that mechanical condition of the 

 soil which will enable it to retain a liberal supply of water to meet 

 the needs of growing crops. 



PREPARATION OF SOIL. 



Thorough preparation of the soil is of the greatest importance. 

 Stiif soils and heavy sods should be plowed in the fall. The work of 

 pulverization must not be slighted. Following the plow, a plank 

 drag can often be used to the best advantage. Either a disc or 

 cut-a-way harrow used alternately with the drag will generally re- 

 duce the soil to the proi)er fineness. It is folly to begin planting be- 

 fore the ground is ready. So much is gained by the most thorough 

 pulverization that the gardener cannot afford to neglect this work. 



MANURE AND FERTILIZERS. 



Liberal feeding counts for much in market gardening. Those who 

 have reaped the largest profits in gardening have used immense 

 quantities of both manure and commercial fertilizer. A common 

 practice with gardeners, following an intensified system, is to apply 

 50 to 75 tons of manure per acre besides one to three tons of commer- 

 cial fertilizer. It is not necessary for farmers with plenty of land 

 to use plant food quite so freely as this. Fifteen to twenty-five loads 

 of manure per acre and 1,000 lbs. to 1,500 lbs. of high-grade fertilizer 

 should give splendid results on soils which have been producing good 

 field crops. 



