196 



Soil type of gardens . Soil type was determined for the seven selected gardens and the 11 

 associated transects. Two types were determined (Mr. P. Macario Mendoza, in litt.); K'ankab and 

 Yaax'hom. K'ankab soil, the most common, was identified for six of the seven selected gardens 

 (numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11). This soil is red due to the concentration of iron oxides and the 

 leaching out of black organic matter. K'ankab soil is relatively poor in phosphorus and nitrogen and is 

 subject to laterization when bared to the sun. This soil is slightly acidic (pH 6.5-7.5) and has 10-15% 

 organic matter and 26% clay. Yaax'hom soil was identified only for garden number 10 (see Figure 4-1 

 for location of gardens and transects). This soil is black. Yaax'hom soil also is slightly acidic (pH 

 6.5-7.5) and has 5-20% organic matter and 62% clay (soil description from Snook, 1993). 



Distance from X-Hazil Sur . Gardens were located at distances that ranged from relatively 

 close to X-Hazil Sur to quite far away (minimum distance = 0.6 km, maximum distance = 16.6 km), 

 but about 50% were at 1.0-2.9 km (Figure 6-3). In 1989, the average garden distance from X-Hazil 

 Sur was 4.0 km iSE = 0.29, n = 150 gardens, range = 0.7-16.6 km). In 1990, the average garden 

 distance was 3.8 km (SE = 0.50, n = 40 gardens, range = 0.6-15.9 km). Garden distance was not 

 significantly different between years (x^ approximation = 0.1730, d.f. = 1, P = 0.6774). 



Several gardeners indicated that competition with other gardeners had forced them to sow 

 gardens at alternate sites on the study area as the intended site already had been taken. One common 

 tactic used by gardeners to obtain additional land was to plant a garden adjacent to that of another 

 gardener. Usually the adjacent gardener abandoned the vicinity after the harvest season. Another 

 tactic was to clear a narrow strip of land around a potential garden site, in effect laying claim to the 

 area, but not actually clearing or planting the site until a few years later, when hopefully any 

 neighboring gardeners had left the area. 



Crops planted . Gardeners reported planting a wide variety of crops in their gardens. In 1989, 

 gardeners reported planting 16 types of crops, while in 1990, 13 were reported (Figure 6-4). 



Three crops were more frequently planted than other crops: com (99% of gardens in 1989 [n 

 = 150 gardens] and 100% in 1990 [n = 40 gardens]), squash (84% and 63%), and kidney beans (75% 



