STRUCTURE. 33 



has it within his power, to a large extent, to over- 

 come the difficulties by a proper manipulation of 

 the surroundings. 



This question of the structure of the soil and 

 its relation to plant growth is a rather difficult one 

 to explain in words. The practical grower learns 

 by experience how to judge a soil largely by its 

 appearance and its " feel" when taken in the hand. 

 The facts given in regard to the effects of struc- 

 ture of soil on plant growth, therefore, help a 

 novice by acquainting him with matters he ought 

 to know, but they will not show him what he can 

 do, for experience alone can teach him this. Any 

 soil that will grow a good crop of potatoes will, 

 with proper manuring, grow good violets. This 

 means that the soil should be a moderately heavy 

 loam, that it should not pack or puddle readily, 

 and that it should contain plenty of fibrous 

 material, which can be obtained by using good 

 turf or sod. 



We prefer in all cases to use good sod or turf, 

 cutting this not more than three or four inches 

 thick. Where land is plentiful, that is, where the 

 grower has several acres at his disposal, it will be 

 best to keep part of it constantly in grass. Blue 

 grass, white clover, and redtop make a good mix- 

 ture. For every bushel of blue grass seed use 

 one quart of white clover and one-third bushel of 

 redtop. Coarse grasses, like orchard grass and 

 timothy, should be avoided, as the stems and heavy 



