LECT. ii QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 41 



manure on the ground between the plants as its virtues are 

 washed down by the rains, while the covering prevents the 

 escape of the moisture by evaporation, that is so much needed 

 in such ground by all kinds of crops in summer. If not 

 covered, or " mulched" as gardeners call it, though the ground 

 be firm below, a loose surface should be maintained by running 

 the hoe through it frequently, as an inch or two of loose sand or 

 dust-like soil aids materially in keeping moisture in the earth. 



Q. You say the manure should be kept near and even on the 

 surface when the soil is of a dry sandy character ; but if it were 

 buried deeply would not the roots find it ? 



A. They would find the solid matter that was dug in, but in 

 the meantime much of its fertility would be washed down into 

 the subsoil and there vanish. If placed near the surface it 

 would be washed down to the roots and not away from them ; 

 still if manure is plentiful use it freely in and through the soil 

 to the depth of a foot or more, but reserve some for the surface 

 of light porous land in which crops suffer from drought. 



Q. Is there one time more suitable than another for trenching ? 



A. Yes ; autumn or early winter, for more of the ground is 

 devoid of crops then, and heavy work can be best done in cool 

 weather. Strong soil then becomes sweetened and pulverised 

 ready for cropping in the spring. 



Q. Please name a good inexpensive book on soils. 



A. Dr. Fream's work, Soils and their Properties (Bell) is 

 packed with valuable information. 



