114 NATURE TEACHING. 



and conveniently near together for purposes of 

 comparison. Give one a good dressing of stable 

 manure (which is vegetable matter in a partially 

 decomposed condition), or a dressing from the 

 compost heap, or of such material as grass : cut- 

 tings from a lawn or indeed of any available 

 form of vegetable matter. (There is a great 

 difference in the rates of rotting of various 

 substances, some change so slowly as to be 

 troublesome in a garden ; stable manure owing 

 to its being already partly decomposed is the 

 most effective, rotting and mingling with the 

 soil rapidly.) Give the second plot no man- 

 ure. Plant similar crops, at the same time, on 

 the two beds ; the nature of the crop adopted 

 depending on time and local circumstances. 

 Keep a record of the character and growth of 

 the crops, noting the development and appear- 

 ance of the plants, the effect of dry weather or 

 other climatic conditions. Note the weight 

 of the various parts yielded by each crop, and, 

 from time to time, observe the character of 

 the soil of each plot. These beds should be 

 permanently established, and at intervals, 

 perhaps once a year, the manured plot should 

 receive a dressing of manure of a vegetable 

 nature. In a school garden a succession of 

 lettuce, beet, beans, and cabbage can readily 

 be arranged on the beds. 



