20 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



quent cultivation; while muck-beds, after the pre- 

 liminary spading in the spring, remain free and mel- 

 low throughout the season. 



Replacing soil presents more difficulties to city 

 dwellers than to those living in the country, or in small 

 towns, but, as there are in the vicinity of most of our 

 cities rich peat lands, it ought not to be difficult to 

 obtain one or two loads of this useful material. Near 

 the small towns are always to be found farmers who 

 own or live near marsh-land, and can supply muck, 

 especially where they have been ditching. A good 

 waggon-load may be had at prices ranging from fifty 

 cents to two dollars, according to the distance to be 

 hauled. The cost in the city would, of course, be 

 much greater. 



It is well for the amateur gardener to learn early 

 in her experience to keep her eyes open to all things 

 pertaining to the success of the garden. When driv- 

 ing, note the marsh-lands easily accessible from the 

 highway, especially where they have been ditched 

 or partially reclaimed, and interview the owner or 

 tenant. In the dull season on the farm the owner of 

 such soil may be glad to earn an extra dollar or two, 

 and it may also be suggested to the farmers' boys, 

 who have marsh- and wood-lands, that they may earn 

 pocket-money by calling on people known to be cul- 

 tivating flowers or building new homes, to solicit their 

 orders. Many people who grow flowers do not know 

 where to apply for earth, and an advertisement in a 



