STEAMING THE SOIL 87 



this is superfluous, in others practically impossible from 

 the presence of so many pebbles. The skillful and intelligent 

 grower soon grasps the exigencies of his own particular 

 conditions and governs himself accordingly, to produce 

 results with the minimum of cost. 



Where the supply of soil has been limited, the writer 

 has noted that well pulverized manure and a sprinkling of 

 ground bone spread over the old soil in the benches and 

 worked in, answers passably; a layer of manure being also 

 placed along the bottom of the benches and the old soil 

 worked back over the manure. But these may be termed 

 extraordinary conditions and do not call for serious atten- 

 tion'. The old soil in most cases is taken back and spread 

 upon the vacant lot, and the process of restoration com- 

 menced. A sowing of Rye can be planted in the early 

 Fall. This is plowed under in the Spring and Corn planted. 

 Corn permits of thorough cultivation to keep down weeds, 

 which are incidental to soils from the greenhouse. After the 

 Corn has been taken off, the land can be plowed in the 

 Fall. In the Spring it can be worked over and seeded down 

 with a mixture of grass seed that will promote a quick sod. 



STERILIZING OLD SOIL 



It has been found both economical and satisfactory to 

 sterilize old bench soil and so make use of it a second time. 

 We prefer, of course, entirely fresh soil, but there are 

 times when sterilization may be tried. But even fresh 

 soil is said to be benefited by this process — how far we 

 are not prepared to say. For one thing, soil insects and 

 fungus spores or mycelium are killed and other changes 

 occur. 



The term sterilization is a bad one, as a wholly sterile 



