FALL AND WINTER PREPARATIONS 3 



then rake It in with a wooden rake. These growing 

 plants hold the moisture and keep the soil In place 

 during the winter and spring months, and when 

 plowed under, add humus to the earth. 



The gardener should also make every effort at 

 this season to get dressing for the coming spring. 

 In the fall, farmers frequently have dressing to spare, 

 but It Is often impossible to obtain it at planting 

 time. Besides, if the dressing is secured In the 

 spring, it will probably be lumpy, hard to work 

 Into the- ground, and most unsatisfactory to handle. 



Ideal soil is the result of patient toil. Market 

 gardeners take the most minute pains in preparing 

 the ground for their crops, and the beginner should 

 take their practice for his own. The author once 

 saw men in France digging up the soil from the 

 garden into large carts. These men were moving 

 to a new place, and, by the French law, they had a 

 right to carry with them the top soil of their little 

 farm. It represented years of patient improvement. 

 Every stone was picked out, the rich, dark earth 

 was soft and fine, in perfect condition. They could 

 not afford to leave It behind. 



It is a joy to work in soil like this, and of course 

 one year or two years will not produce It. How- 

 ever, careful preparation In the fall will make the 

 greatest difference the following spring, and much 

 of the next year's success depends on It. 



In the first place, plow hghtly, especially the sod 



