THE GARDENER AND HIS GARDEN 



Berries ripen at a time of year when long 

 periods without rain are to be expected. Since 

 the size and quality of berries depend largely 

 upon adequate moisture at ripening time, light 

 drouthy soils are to be avoided. They also 

 leach plant food rapidly, and vigorous plant 

 growth is not easy to maintain. 



Improving Soil Conditions 



Much may be done to correct the physical 

 condition of soils too light or too heavy for 

 best results. Especially on small plots is the 

 soil under a certain amount of control. It is 

 even possible and worth while in special cases 

 to transport enough light soil to mix with and 

 ameliorate a heavier one, but chief reliance 

 must be placed upon the addition of humus 

 in one form or another. 



In this day of cheap synthetic chemical fer- 

 tilizers too little attention is given by many 

 gardeners to the humus content of the soil. 

 It makes heavy soils more loose and friable, 

 and it adds to the fertility and increases the 

 moisture holding capacity of soils too sandy 

 for best results. 



Well-rotted stable manure has no rival as 

 a humus-forming material. Unfortunately it 

 is becoming scarcer every year, and some other 



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