SOILS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT 203 



o/ 



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is far too much for an all-the-year-round average; 12 

 of humus is a very rich soil, too rich for some plants. 



Humic soils are often, but not always, sour soils. But 

 they are too rich and too much like manure beds to grow 

 flowers in. Lime is the corrective, ground chalk can be 

 used, and poor soil added. Four ounces or more of lime, or 

 2 Ibs. of chalk per square yard can be safely used, and 

 will greatly benefit the soil. The lime or chalk should be 

 forked in at once. Superphosphate of lime should not be 

 used on such soils for several years ; nor should organic 

 manure be dug in for two summers. 



FINAL WORDS. 



Before I close this chapter I must add that the careful 

 study of his soil by each individual gardener is most 

 important. Good cultivation always pays, a gardener 

 will never regret any hours of study he has given to his 

 soil, or the days and weeks he has spent on it with his spade, 

 fork, hoe, and rake. 



