No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 303 



purchased it generally pays to buy from the seedsman who has 

 introduced the varieties wanted. He usually exercises more care 

 in the production of seed of the varieties in which he is particularly 

 interested. Good seed means fresh seeds, of the best types, plump, 

 large and of high germinating power. A careful test of the ger- 

 minating powers of the seeds should be made before the proper 

 dates for sowing. 



The Soil. 



The soil for growing early vegetable plants must be considered 

 physically as well as chemically. In fact, the physical composition 

 is of greater importance and demands more study than its actual 

 supply of plant food. The conditions of the soil, mechanically con- 

 sidered, must be such that it will not bake seriously and that the 

 drainage is perfect. This condition may be secured in any soil 

 by adding the proper amounts of vegetable matter or manure and 

 sharp sand. A very practical way to do this is to haul the soil to 

 a convenient spot, spread about eight inches deep, add four inches 

 of manure free from coarse litter, and a couple of inches of sharp 

 sand. (If the soil is naturally loose, sand will not be necessary.) 

 Let the soil and manure remain in these layers until soaked by rain 

 and when sufficiently dry, plow at intervals of a week or two, har- 

 rowing thoroughly to incorporate the manure with the soil. 

 This soil should be prepared before mid-summer, and late in the fall 

 thrown into piles and hauled to the cellar, cave, stable or other 

 storage house where it will not freeze. Preparations in the way of 

 a liberal supply of soil must be complete before winter sets in or 

 there will be trouble when the time comes to begin sowing seed. 



There will be no occasion to worry about the chemical properties 

 of the soil if it is prepared as explained above. A very small quan- 

 tity of chemicals may be added but it will not be necessary. It 

 is always desirable to mix lime in soil to be used in starting cab- 

 bage plants as a preventive of club root, and if there is reason to 

 believe that the soil lacks fertility, pure bone meal, free from acid- 

 ulated goods, may be used liberally with entire safety. No harm 

 can result from making one-third the bulk bone meal. Of course 

 this would be extravagant. A peck of bone meal or even less to 

 a barrel of soil is sufficient for excellent results. 



The Effect of Water. 



Only experience teaches the gardener the effect that water has 

 on the young plant as well as the soil and enables him to determine 

 just when and in what quantity water should be used. We believe 

 that the improper use of water has more to do with failures or 



