The Soil of the Garden 



61 



FIG. 39. The clay soil is easily made into a ball, while the loam falls apart. 

 This shows that the loam is in good condition for working, and that the clay is 

 too wet. 



leaves the imprint of the hand upon it, then it is too wet 

 for working. But if, on being released, it crumbles 

 and falls apart, it is in suitable condition for working. 

 By spading at the right time and in the right manner 

 the physical condition of clay soils can be much improved. 



The best garden soil. The best soil for the garden 

 from the standpoint of its physical condition is a mixture 

 of (i) the remains of plants (humus), (2) sand of various 

 sizes, and (3) silt or clay, with no one of these in excess. 



Such soil is called loam. It tends to remain year 

 after year with the particles arranged loosely in fine 

 granules. It is easily kept in this condition by tillage. 

 Its physical condition enables the fine fibrous roots of 

 plants to penetrate it easily. But repeated tillage, the 

 addition of lime if it is needed, and supplying humus in 

 manure and compost (page 65) will in a few years 

 do much to improve the physical condition of any 

 soil. 



