Preparing the Beds 9 



Of course, in a few sections where the 

 soil is three feet deep as I am told it is 

 in the Illinois corn belt all that is needed 

 is to loosen up the soil to the depth men- 

 tioned, and add old manure. If the re- 

 moval and bringing in of so much new 

 soil is too harsh on the pocketbook we must 

 proceed in a more economical way. If the 

 soil is clayey in texture, mix with it sifted 

 coal ashes or sand, and the coarser part of 

 the ashes may be incorporated with the soil 

 in the lower foot of bed. Remove the top 

 one-foot layer, and set it aside ; throw out 

 the bottom soil to the remaining depth. 

 Break it up finely and, in replacing it, 

 beside* the coal ashes or sand, add fresh 

 strong manure, placing it in horizontal 

 layers say three inches of soil, and then 

 a layer of manure four inches thick, when 

 gently tamped down; or make the layers 

 slantingly say at an angle of about 

 forty-five degrees. This will add humus 

 to the soil, and allow air and moisture to 

 penetrate it. Then put in the original 



