184 PRODUCTIVE FARMING 



on certain rows and other rows next to them left untreated. 

 In like manner the effects of spraying may be tested. 



Many soil experiments may be tried in the garden. Test 

 the soil with litmus paper for acids. Test the temperature 

 of the soil in spring and fall. 



Cover a square foot with black material, as charcoal, 

 and another square with lime. Then test the soil again to 

 see if the sun heats one soil more than the other. Which? 



Compare the packing, baking, and crusting effects of 

 sandy soil and clay soil. 



Germination tests may be made to show the benefits of 

 pressing the soil against planted seeds; to show the effect of 

 too much water, which excludes the air; to determine the 

 length of time for sprouting of seeds of different size, as large 

 and small radish seed, or the tip kernels and middle kernels 

 of an ear of corn. 



Use of Products. — If there be suitable products from the 

 school garden let them first be used for making up an exhibit 

 at school. Later they may be sold to get money for the 

 garden expenses. 



School Garden Plots at Home. — Much of the summer 

 gardening may be done at home by the students. Parents 

 should be requested to set aside a stated area for use of the 

 pupils at their homes. On this plot they may grow the crops 

 desired for school exhibits. Corn and other crops may be 

 grown in home plots better than at school during vacation. 

 Let fertilizer experiments, culture trials, and spraying be 

 conducted by the students on the home plots. Suitable 

 bulletins and leaflets may be obtained outlining contests 

 to be carried on during the vacation. The products may be 

 shown at school in the fall. 



Ornamental Gardening. — The appropriate use of trees, 

 shrubs, vines, greensward, or grass plots, and flowering 

 plants to adorn a place is sometimes called landscape gar- 

 dening. Too little thought is given to this by the average 



