18 THE GAEDENETTE 



the same reason. The Sandwich Beds can 

 neither be drowned or smothered. The air cir- 

 culates through the several layers of material, 

 and if too much water is applied, it readily 

 passes through the fibrous beds and does no 

 harm. 



Second Fertility is placed just where it can 

 be easily absorbed and assimilated by the plants. 



Third The fibrous nature of the bed causes it 

 to warm up earlier than does the natural soil. 



Fourth While hydrant water must be sup- 

 plied as often as needed, in practice it is found 

 that this form of bed does not require as much 

 water as would be supposed, for the decaying 

 mass of fibrous material retains moisture in a 

 way that is surprising. 



All kinds of vegetables and most of flowering 

 plants do wonderfully well on Sandwich Beds. 

 Celery, spinach, endive, chard, cabbage, cauli- 

 flower, kohl-rabi, Brussels sprouts, etc., do excep- 

 tionally well. For peas, radishes, carrots, sal- 

 sify, parsnips, etc., where the soil is fairly good, 

 it seems best to first spade the ground as de- 

 scribed in "The Modified Sandwich Bed," mixing 

 in manure, and after raking fine and level, cover 

 surface with a couple of inches of compost. This 

 latter method is better for those vegetables that 

 have long, penetrating roots. 



Directions for Making Sandwich Beds 



First Place a layer of straw or stable litter 

 or leaves, about five inches deep. Tramp or pack 

 pretty firm and smooth. 



