TO FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



THE SOIL AND ITS TREATMENT 



Although so much manure is used in the process 

 of intensive cultivation, one must, nevertheless, not 

 overlook the fact that a good natural soil in the garden 

 is of the utmost importance. The seeds of many 

 crops may be sown in the open air, from which the 

 plants will later on be transferred to frames or cloches. 

 And again, plants raised in frames may be transplanted 

 to the open ground according to circumstances. If 

 the soil, therefore, is already in good condition it will 

 mean not only good growth of the crops but also a 

 great saving in labour and manures. An ideal 

 garden soil for ordinary purposes should consist of 

 about 40 parts clay, 35 parts sand, 10 parts lime, 

 and 15 parts humus, in every hundred. With proper 

 digging, or occasional trenching, and a fair supply 

 of manure say about 16 tons to the acre such a 

 soil will yield excellent results, especially in genial 

 and sheltered localities. Indeed, for vegetables and 

 salads I think much more manure than this might 

 be used in a well -rotted state than is at present usual 

 in ordinary gardens : 20 to 30 tons to the acre would 

 not be too much. 



Where wet, cold, and heavy clay exists, it will 

 require modifying with the addition of sand or grit, 

 and humus, in addition to deep cultivation. If, on 

 the other hand, the soil is light and sandy or gravelly, 

 it will be improved by the addition of heavy loam, 

 chalk, or marl, as well as plenty of manure-^especially 

 from the cowshed or piggery. 



Where, however, frames and cloches are used 

 extensively for early crops grown on hot-beds, the 



