PREPARATION OF THE OLD GARDEN 23 



where we want them. Plowing twice every year, 

 unless the depth is much varied, brings to the 

 surface, each spring, nearly the same soil for a 

 seed-bed ; and that would not be frugal gardening. 

 On the other hand, shallow plowing may be an 

 advantage. It will lighten, aerate a heavy soil; 

 by that means, surface drainage will be improved ; 

 and the soil will become dry and warm and ready 

 for planting much sooner. The best time for re- 

 plowing is when the ground has warmed and 

 dried enough to crumble easily. If it is plowed 

 while still wet, the soil will be lumpy all summer. 

 Give the lumps here and there a kick with your 

 toe. If they fall to pieces readily, then you may 

 expect the heavy soil below to be suitable for 

 breaking up. Plow it shallow, always, when re- 

 plowing. Dragging is all that will be necessary 

 in the spring for a sandy soil. We must next put 

 on whatever additional general fertilizer we in- 

 tend to use. In the fall, we plowed under in the 

 new garden material that needed time for disin- 

 tegration and chemical action before being ready 

 for use as a plant-food. Now, in the spring, we 

 will leave near the surface a quickly available 

 fertilizer. 



Do not use much, if any, barn manure in the 

 spring; use a good commercial fertilizer. The 

 garden books and bulletins will explain in full 

 detail what kind of fertilizer is best and how 

 much to use. We must furnish the three most 



