STARTING THE OLD GARDEN 169 



cover them deep, so that they will not interfere with the 

 work of planting. If you do not understand how to do this 

 work, study the chapter on Preparing the Soil. And if you 

 can afford to dig in manure, do it everywhere except where 

 the potatoes and, the peas and beans are to go. 1 



This work is to be done everywhere in the garden, whether 



FIG. 88. It always needs careful study of the season to know when to 

 remove the cover from pansies and other mulched plants in spring. 



in the vegetable garden or the flower beds, where there are 

 no plants. It is easiest in the bare ground, where the spade 

 goes in easily. But the work cannot be done at once where 

 there are mulched plants that have lived through the winter. 

 Under their mulch the frost still lingers after it has left the 



1 Find in this book why potatoes should be given no fresh manure, and 

 peas and beans (or all legumes) none at all. Write the answer in your note- 

 book. 



