114 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



and trimmings and stable refuse and making compost of it 

 to supplement the native supplies in the soil. Some out-of-the- 

 way corner will be found for a permanent pile, with room for 

 piling it over from time to time. The pile will be screened by 

 his garden planting. (Figure 121 suggests a useful cart for col- 

 lecting such materials.) He will also save the power of his 

 land by changing his crops to other 

 parts of the garden, year by year, not 

 growing his China asters or his snap- 

 dragons or his potatoes or strawberries 

 continuously on the same area; and 

 thus, also, will his garden have a new 

 face every year. 



Lest the reader may get the idea 

 that there is no limit to be placed on 

 the enriching of the soil, I will caution him at the end of my 

 discussion that he may easily make the place so rich that 

 some plants will overgrow and will not come into flower- 

 ing or fruiting before frost, and flowers may lack brilliancy. 

 On very rich land, scarlet sage will grow to great size but 

 will not bloom in the northern season; sweet peas will run to 

 vine; gaillardias and some other plants will break down; 

 tomatoes and melons and peppers may be so late that the 

 fruit will not ripen. Only experience and good judgment will 

 safeguard the gardener as to how far he should or should 

 not go. 



121. A good cart for collect- 

 ing leaves and other ma- 

 terials. 



