10 SOIL AND LOCATION 



Other advantages of a sandy soil for general gardening pur- 

 poses are that it is easily worked, responds readily to fertilizer 

 treatment, reaches workable condition within a short time after 

 a rain, and is not injured by tramping, as in the harvesting of 

 crops, when in a wet condition. 



On the other hand, a sandy soil has some drawbacks. Crops 

 grown on such a soil are likely to suffer in time of drought, unless 

 the surface soil is underlaid by a retentive subsoil. 



Soils of a heavier type and more clayey nature are often pre- 

 ferred for the later crops in localities where the midseason rainfall 

 is likely to be deficient. However, unless the soils with a large 

 amount of clay in their composition are well supplied with organic 

 matter they are likely to bake after a rain, and to be difficult 

 to work. Much more care is required in working a clay soil 

 than a sandy soil in vegetable crops, for the clay is likely to become 

 puddled if worked or tramped upon when it is too wet. A clay 

 soil reaches workable condition slowly after a rain and remains 

 in ideal condition for working only a short time. Unless it is 

 worked during the short interval when it is neither too wet nor 

 too dry, extreme difficulties are likely to be encountered in manag- 

 ing a heavy clay soil. 



A clay soil may be improved for gardening purposes by the 

 incorporation of organic matter or humus. This may be accom- 

 plished by the application of manure or the plowing under of 

 green crops. Such treatment makes the soil more friable. 



Heavy soils can be brought into workable condition earlier 

 in the spring if they are thoroughly drained. Tile drainage of a 

 heavy soil for early gardening purposes involves the placing of 

 the drains much closer together than would be necessary in ordi- 

 nary farm drainage. Often they are placed as close as two rods 

 apart. If, in addition to the drainage, the land is thrown up into 

 ridges in the fall, by plowing in very narrow ''lands," the soil 

 will reach workable condition earlier in the spring than if this 

 precaution is not taken. Thus, it is possible, by proper manage- 

 ment, to plant a garden early, even on heavy soil. 



The best location for an early garden is on a gentle southern 

 slope. The slope should be sufficiently steep to afford natural 

 surface drainage, yet not so steep as to permit serious washing 

 of the soil. A southern slope affords the most direct exposure to 

 sunshine. Such a slope also is protected more or less from cold 

 northern winds. All these factors influence the earliness of the 



