CHAPTEE VIII 



THE SOIL AND ITS IMPROVEMENT 



Soils used for gardens vary widely in their composition 

 and character. Those which are of a medium nature, called 

 medium loams, are best adapted to all kinds of garden crops. 

 The sandier soils are better than the very heavy clays, but 

 either of these extremes may be greatly improved by proper 

 methods. 



Certain crops are better suited to the heavy soils, while 

 others prefer the light sandy soils. 



Preparing the Soil. — In places where school or home gar- 

 dening is to be taken up for the first time, the soil to be used 

 should be prepared some months in advance, if possible. This 

 will conserve the moisture, make a better seed bed and destroy 

 many weeds and weed seeds. Teachers and committees in- 

 tending to have a school garden soon should break up the soil 

 either the fall before or the spring before. If the ground is 

 in grass, composed of tough sod, and the plowing be first 

 done in the fall, a cover crop may be sown. This may consist 

 of winter rye with either crimson clover or winter vetch mixed 

 with it. This may remain upon the ground all winter and 

 serve the purpose of a cover crop. In the spring the ground 

 should again be plowed and the growth turned under as green 

 manure. If this first plowing be done in the spring perhaps 

 a crop of corn or potatoes or other coarse growing plants may 

 be grown. Tomatoes are sometimes used on the whole area. 

 The cultivation of some such crop through one season will 

 help to mellow the soil and get it in better condition for fine 

 garden work to follow. 



Liming. — Soil should be tested with litmus paper to see 

 if it is sour. (See Exercise 5, Chapter X.) Test a sample 

 of the soil with dilute hydrochloric acid to see if it foams. If 

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