IO2 Soil and Fertilization 



humus. Humus will prevent clay soil from be- 

 coming soggy and hard and it will assist the sandy 

 soil to hold moisture. Where the soil is too rich, 

 or where it is soggy, lime applied very generously 

 will have a neutralizing effect, but soil should be 

 analyzed when an amateur is planning the planting 

 before the risk is taken of making the soil poor 

 and unproductive. 



When supplying fertilizer in the form of manure, 

 it is best always to apply it in the fall and plow 

 it under for a depth of several inches. It will 

 then be in a very decomposed and friable state for 

 spring planting and there will be no danger of 

 crops suffering from burning as is the case when 

 fresh manure is applied. An acre of ground re- 

 quires at least thirty-five tons of manure and an 

 additional four to six tons will not be too generous 

 a supply. Aside from the soil being in better 

 condition by means of the manure having been 

 applied several months before planting time, there 

 is also the advantage in being able to plant much 

 earlier than if it is necessary to wait for the frost 

 to be out of the ground before harrowing and fer- 

 tilizing. Plowing and fertilizing in the fall is 

 particularly beneficial with reference to clay soils, 

 as the snow penetrating the earth will have a good 

 effect in breaking up the lumps. 



