SOIL AND FERTILIZERS 303 



removal of all stones and rubbish from the 

 beds and borders so treated and discloses the 

 necessity — should it exist — for providing 

 drainage. 



DRAINAGE 



The subject of drainage should not be over- 

 looked by the gardener, for it often means 

 success or failure. In cases where the garden 

 is small, confined to a bed or border, drainage 

 may not play an important part. Still, even 

 in such instances, a water-logged soil is ob- 

 viously not desirable. It can be corrected by 

 removing the earth entirely to a depth of thirty 

 inches and, after setting a five-inch layer of 

 gravel in the bottom, refilling, being careful to 

 replace the surface soil on top. Where, how- 

 ever, larger areas are to be drained, tile pipe, 

 set in runs, should be used. 



FERTILIZERS 



The use of fertilizers is a matter that proves 

 difficult for the beginner to master. He is far 

 more likely to surfeit his plants on too much 

 than to starve them on too little, and, so far as 

 this danger is concerned, he must depend upon 

 his own judgment to avoid it. No rule can be 

 laid down for the application of animal ma- 



