12 Southern Gardener's Practical Manual 



of soil containing the proportions of plant -food given 

 above would, therefore, contain the following aggregate 

 amounts: 



Nitrogen 4,500 pounds 



Phosphoric acid 4,500 pounds 



Potash 6,000 pounds 



In addition to these stores of plant-food in the first 

 nine inches, large amounts of insoluble mineral matter 

 are found in the subsoil. The intelligent gardener, 

 recognizing the important part performed by the soil in 

 furnishing directly all of the mineral constituents found 

 in plants, and supplying indirectly nearly all other 

 plant-food, devotes his attention almost exclusively to 

 such treatment of the soil as he thinks most conducive 

 to healthy plant -growth. He feeds his plants, through 

 the medium of the soil, with such combinations of ele- 

 ments as experience and experiment have shown to be 

 necessary to supplement the natural stores of available 

 plant-food in the soil. He manipulates the soil with 

 plow and harrow to facilitate the work of chemical agents 

 and beneficial species of bacteria. In addition to this 

 mechanical manipulation, he applies animal manures, 

 rotates with leguminous crops to furnish humus, adds 

 lime and other amendments where needed, using every 

 means in his power to secure that condition of his soil 

 known as ''good texture," which is necessary for the 

 successful germination of the seed and the growth of 

 the plant. The accomplishment of this will be greatly 

 facilitated by the selection of sandy loam or clay -loam 

 as the garden soil. 



