334 YARD AND GARDEN 



The point to be remembered is that the soil used 

 should be of good quality rather than assem- 

 bled in elaborate mixtures. Lay aside doubt 

 on the subject and obtain the following com- 

 posts : 



1. Fibrous loam, tliree parts 

 Leaf mold, one part 

 Well-decayed manure, one part 

 Clean, sharp sand, one-sixth part 



2. Fibrous loam, one part 

 Peat, tvYO parts 



Leaf mold, two parts 

 Sand, one-fourth part 



These two composts might be designated 

 "general utility" mixtures. The first will pro- 

 vide a healthful rooting soil for most flowering 

 plants that can be grown by the amateur in an 

 ordinary window garden and the second will 

 provide a suitable mixture for ferns. It is well 

 to lay the foundation carefully by obtaining 

 good loam. Usually it is best and cheapest to 

 buy this of the nearest florist. He makes it — 

 and the amateur may do likewise if he has the 

 space, the time and the desire — by stacking 

 turfs, grass side down, in heaps, interspersing 

 old manure between the layers of sod, and per- 

 mitting the whole to remain at least six months 

 exposed to the weather. 



