6 4 



AGRICULTURE 



absorb moisture and to begin as soon as possible to take food from 

 the soil. The soil should not be too wet, as wet soil around the roots 

 excludes air. Unless it be very dry, it is generally better not to 

 use watet except to moisten the roots. If water be used, it should 

 be poured around the roots before all the soil is added. If it be 

 applied to the surface, as the soil dries, it forms a crust which ex- 

 cludes air and hastens evaporation. 



STRAWBERRY PLANTS 



The plant on the left is set too deep, with its roots bunched ; the one in the middle is set 

 too shallow ; the one on the right is set properly. 



Sixth: The plant should be set as near as possible as it grew 

 originally. It will usually do no harm to set it a little deeper. 

 But it is not apt to thrive if it be set much deeper or much shallower 

 than it originally grew. The hole should be deep enough and 

 broad enough for the roots to spread out naturally without being 

 bunched or bent. The surface soil should be put in first, and then 

 the subsoil, which is usually harder and poorer in available plant 

 food. It is important to make the soil firm and compact, as it is 

 put in, by trampling or pressing. 



Seventh: It is sometimes well to shade a plant for a few days 

 from the hot sunshine, or to protect the roots by a mulch of straw 

 or leaves, as well as of loose earth. 



