THE FLOWER GARDEN 307 



necessary. There are other things which affect 

 the profits, but these are the underlying factors. 



No definite rules can be given about handling 

 the soil, for each one must work out his own 

 practice according to his own conditions. 



The value of soil depends upon its texture, the 

 elements it contains, the exposure, location, nat- 

 ural drainage, the availability of the elements 

 required to keep up its productiveness, etc. 



A well-drained alluvial soil of fine texture is 

 the most productive for average crops. Further- 

 more, it is usually most durable in its productive- 

 ness. That is, its valuable qualities continue to 

 manifest themselves year after year. 



Other things being equal, a field located in a 

 comparatively level valley or plain is more val- 

 uable than one on the side of the hill. Often the 

 soil on the side of a hill is rather thin and there 

 is always the danger of washing. Rains come 

 and carry the most valuable part of the field into 

 the valleys below. 



Of course, hillside fields are valuable for some 

 crops. In some cases, where the soil is rich, even 

 better results are obtained on the hills than in 

 the valleys. This is especially true in California 

 and the semiarid sections. 



North and east slopes are usually best for late 

 crops, but the south and west slopes are always 



