ANNUALS 111 



age material on it. Sand or gravel or cinders 

 will answer the purpose. Then on top of this 

 put in the new soil, which should consist of 

 rich, fine loam, leaf-mold and well-rotted cow 

 manure in approximately equal parts. In fill- 

 ing, bring the surface of the bed three or four 

 inches higher than the surface of the surround- 

 ing ground, to allow for settling, and do not 

 attempt to sow seeds or set out plants in it 

 until this settling has occurred. 



But if the soil where the bed is to be made 

 is satisfactory, such trouble, of course, is 

 avoided. Remember, however, that where no 

 bed has ever been made before, the earth must 

 be spaded to a depth of eighteen inches at least 

 — two feet is even better. All roots and stones 

 must be removed and the clods thoroughly pul- 

 verized. Begin by removing the surface soil 

 to a depth of six inches, casting it to one side. 

 Then spade the sub-soil to the required depth, 

 incorporating with it well-rotted manure, and, 

 when this is done, return the surface soil, mak- 

 ing it as fine as possible — so fine, indeed, that 

 it will readily pass through a sieve with a quar- 

 ter-inch mesh. The surface soil is laid aside 

 and finally returned to the top because it is 

 always rich in humus, which furnishes the most 



