II. 



THE PREPARATION OF THE GARDEN 



GARDENS in which the soil is heavy can be 

 benefited by fall plowing. If the ground is 

 turned up and left in ridges as it comes from 

 the plow, in October or November, the action 

 of frost on it during the winter will have a 

 decidedly disintegrating effect, and it will be 

 found much more tractable in spring than it 

 would be if freshly plowed. Of course it will 

 need a spring plowing to reduce it to the 

 proper condition for working. This second 

 plowing will put it in very fair shape for imme- 

 diate use, while a few days' exposure to the 

 combined effects of sun, air, and possibly 

 warm showers, will make it mellower than 

 after two weeks of exposure with only one 

 plowing. This being the case, I would always 

 advise fall plowing for gardens of heavy soil. 

 Another benefit is derived from fall plowing. The 

 larvae of many worms will be destroyed by frost 

 in the upturned furrows. For this reason, if no 



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