HANDLING. 35 



many insects are killed, and at the same time 

 benefit is derived from the effects of the frost on 

 the mechanical and chemical condition of the soil. 

 Before hard winter weather sets in the soil should 

 be either hauled close to the greenhouses and 

 piled or else made into a heap where it stands. In 

 sections where the soil is not from limestone 

 formation, fresh slacked lime should be added to 

 it when it is being 1 put into the heap or direct- 

 ly after cutting. Lime should be added at the rate 

 of about two-thirds of a bushel for each one thou- 

 sand square feet cut. In stacking the soil we pre- 

 fer to make a heap about four feet high, twenty to 

 twenty-five feet wide, and of any length desired. 

 At this time the manure, which should have been 

 previously procured and put into good condition, 

 is to be added to the soil. As a rule one part of 

 manure to four parts of soil will make a combina- 

 tion sufficiently rich for any purpose. This is 

 assuming, of course, that the manure is well rotted 

 and free from light chaff and straw. Well-rotted 

 cow manure is preferable if it can be obtained, but 

 if not, well-rotted and carefully handled horse 

 manure will answer equally as well. Avoid all 

 experimenting with chemical fertilizers. 

 They are well enough in their place, and in the 

 hands of one who has had experience no harm will 

 result from the use of a little pure, ground, undis- 

 solved bone, but it must be pure and applied at 

 the rate of not more than one-half bushel for each 



