12 



LANDSCAPE GARDEN SERIES 



the soil. Humus is decayed vegetable matter. The application of 

 lime, which aids in breaking up the soil, is particularly desirable in 

 improving clays. Clay soil should never be worked when it is wet 

 enough to form a sticky ball when crushed in the hand. 



With light soils the main trouble is that they are apt to be devoid 

 of humus, and to heat and dry out too quickly. Any material such 

 as well rotted manure, which will add humus to the soil, will work 

 the necessary improvement. Sandy soils are not necessarily undesirable 

 if the moisture content is correct. 



DRAINAGE 



Good drainage is absolutely necessary to keep the soil in the best 

 condition for growing purposes. Certain plants, such as bog or marsh 

 plants and water plants, of course, are exceptions. When the soil has 

 a tendency to remain overly moist, or to become soggy, it needs to be 

 drained. Water gathering in depressions must have an outlet. Good 

 drainage is naturally provided in soils which offer an escape for excess 

 water. In many soils the subsoil is impervious to water or hard enough 

 greatly to retard the passage of water through it. Drainage for plant- 

 ing areas is absolutely necessary when the beds are prepared by excavat- 

 ing hard subsoil and refilling with loose soil. 



Drainage through hard and impervious subsoil is ofttimes accom- 

 plished by opening it up by means of the shattering and loosening effects 

 resulting from dynamite exploded in the soil. Planting areas, when 

 underlaid with a hard subsoil, can be drained in that way or by placing 

 a layer of stones in the bottom of the bed. When stones are used to 

 a considerable depth there is less need of an outlet. Otherwise an out- 

 let will have to be provided. A method commonly used that is some- 



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Fig.2 



