80 VEGETABLE FORCING 



was trying this method of soil treatment. They have continued 

 this practice and are well pleased with the results. Of those who 

 tried the mulch, some did not apply water frequently enough, thus 

 allowing the soil to become dry and destroying the value of the 

 test. Others grew tomatoes as a fall crop on the mulched area 

 and lettuce on the unmulched area, thus preventing a fair com- 

 parison. Still others mulched all of their soil, not leaving any with- 

 out mulch for comparison. In one case where a careful mulch test 

 was made other conditions entered in such a way that safe con- 

 clusions could not be drawn. 



"Taking the results of the station tests, together with the results 

 secured by the Toledo firm, and gleaning what information it has 

 been possible to obtain from various sources, the station does not 

 hestitate to recommend this treatment of soils to be used for vegetable 

 forcing. It must be borne in mind, however, that no half-way or 

 slipshod methods of using the mulch will give satisfactory results. 

 There should be sufficient fertility in the manure to furnish enough 

 plant food, when leached into the soil, to supply the three crops 

 of lettuce. The quantity of manure must be sufficient also. At 

 least 5 or 6 inches must be applied. A considerable quantity of 

 coarse material in the manure, such as straw, corn stover, etc., is 

 an advantage. Fresh manure has been used at the station each 

 time, and while we have had no chance to see the effect of the 

 use of well-rotted manure, we are satisfied with fresh manure, as 

 we know that it will give good results. 



"Where it is the practice to mulch the cucumber or tomato crop 

 the manure used for that purpose can be left on and more added, 

 provided the cucumbers or tomatoes have been free from disease. 

 In case these crops have been diseased, it would be advisable to 

 remove the mulch used on them and to apply new mulch. 



"Frequent sprinkling of the manure on the beds is very essential, 

 and where a mechanical system of watering is in use this can be 

 done thoroughly and with the expenditure of little time and labor. 

 When it is necessary to water by hand it will be harder to get the 

 work done, but it must not be neglected, as failure is sure to follow 

 the lack of sufficient water to properly leach the fertility of the 

 manure into the soil and to keep it moist. 



"When the time comes to put in the first crop, if the soil is in 

 need of humus the entire mulch may be spaded into the soil, but 

 most greenhouse soils do not need the addition of so much coarse 



