40 SOIL. 



plants have been doctored with insecticides and 

 fungicides, fed on many kinds of food, and in short 

 made to run the whole gamut of crank and quack 

 notions advertised from time to time. What is 

 needed here is a mind cure for the individual and 

 less doctoring for the plants. Experiment, of 

 course, but do not be led away by it, and do not 

 allow every new idea or suggestion to take you 

 from the main purpose or to bias your judgment. 

 To return from our digression, the soil when 

 heaped should be protected by rough boards or by 

 some other means from rains. Much benefit will 

 result if the soil is turned two or three times before 

 it is taken into the houses. Many omit this, but 

 we are convinced that it pays to turn it as this 

 improves its condition in many ways. The cost 

 will not exceed fifty cents per thousand plants for 

 each turning. Reference has been made to the 

 quantity of soil used, but it is desirable to enter 

 somewhat into detail upon this point. We aim to 

 put in six inches of fresh soil each year. 

 Plants may do well on less or even on the soil 

 that has been used once, but the grower who is 

 in the business for all there is to be made out of 

 it, can not afford to run any risks, hence he should 

 calculate on not less than six inches of new soil 

 each year. To determine then how much soil is 

 necessary, merely multiply the length of each bed 

 in feet and inches by the width, and multiply this by 

 one-half. This will give the number of cubic feet, 



