120 WALL'S MANUAL 



that may arise, and still secure an abundance of 

 plants, enough ground should be sown to produce 

 (if all portions do well) a large excess over what the 

 crop to be raised will require. 



PREPARATION OF BEDS. 



The general practice is to burn the surface of the 

 beds before planting. A warm and dry locality, 

 exposed to the' sun, and well protected against cold 

 winds, is most suitable. A southern, or southeastern 

 exposure, should be selected, if possible, having a 

 loose, rich soil. It should be cleared of all roots, 

 stones, and everything that might interfere with a 

 proper tillage of the surface, or with the growth of 

 the plants. 



The burning process is then conducted by covering 

 the bed, with logs and brush previously collected, 

 entirely, or in part, and setting fire to them, at a 

 time when they are dry enough to burn freely. The 

 fuel should not be allowed to lie flat on the ground 

 while burning, but should be placed upon cross logs, 

 beneath it. The whole bed need not be covered with 

 fuel at one time ; because, when one portion has been 

 subjected to the fire for an hour or two, the burning 

 fuel may be removed to another portion, and thus 

 the several parts be burnt in succession.* Some im- 

 portant effects are produced by the wasting process. 

 In the first place, any seeds of grass, etc., which may 

 be in the soil, are partially or entirely destroyed ; 

 and, secondly, the condition of the soil is improved 

 by burning, and by the quantity of ashes left upon 

 it, Beds should generally be burnt just before they 

 are sown; though, in some soils, it is better to burn 

 and expose to frost a few weeks before planting. 



