MAKING THE SOIL FOUNDATION 23 



more surface from which the moisture 

 can evaporate. Turn the heap of leaves 

 occasionally, and in tv^o years the leaf- 

 mould will be in usable condition. 



Never bury leaves in your garden where 

 you intend to grow plants next year. The 

 heat caused by the fermentation will injure 

 the roots of the growing plants. 



VALUE OF MUCK 



Muck from either a fresh water or salt 

 water marsh is equally good as leafmould, 

 but it must be dug at least one winter before 

 using. After digging, place it on the upland, 

 away from the tides and floods, in triangular- 

 shaped piles about three feet wide, three feet 

 high, and as long as necessary. By putting 

 it in such small piles the frost and air have 

 a much better chance to work through it than 

 if it is in larger piles. Under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, exposure to the weather for one 

 winter will sweeten it. But if not, add a little 

 lime; this will quickly neutralize any acidity. 



DRAINAGE 



One of the most important things to pro- 

 vide for in a soil is drainage. This is best 



