LOCATION AND PREPARATION 



one-third cow manure. There will not be enough 

 top soil taken from the trench to supply the one- 

 third necessary for the bed, and more must be 

 provided. 



In localities where there is no heavy clay or loam 

 there will often be found heavy, dark soil which 

 contains decayed leaves, roots, etc., which is a very 

 good substitute. Subsoil containing sand in any 

 quantity should have loam and clay added and top 

 soil containing much sand should have other top 

 soil added. Reverting to what we have said before, 

 and so as to make our objects perfectly clear, it will 

 be remembered that the soil should be heavy enough 

 to hold moisture, be rich enough for sustenance, and 

 yet must drain at the bottom, as otherwise in wet 

 seasons the plants will be too damp. 



The ideal way to mix the top soil, clay and manure 

 in three equal parts would be by machine, but for 

 all practical purposes we have found the following 

 procedure to be all that is necessary: Cover the 

 bottom of the trench with a given number of wheel- 

 barrow loads of the rich, darker top soil, then add 

 the same number of loads of the lighter, clayey sub- 

 soil, and then an equal number of loads of manure, 

 after which the whole bed should be forked together 

 thoroughly to mix the ingredients. After this first 

 layer is thoroughly mixed, proceed as above with the 



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