80 VEGETABLE FORCING 
was trying this method of soil treatment. They have continued 
this practice and are well pleased with the results. Of those who 
tried the mulch, some did not apply water frequently enough, thus 
allowing the soil to become dry and destroying the value of the 
test. Others grew tomatoes as a fall crop on the mulched area 
and lettuce on the unmulched area, thus preventing a fair com- 
parison. Still others mulched all of their soil, not leaving any with- 
out mulch for comparison. In one case where a careful mulch test 
was made other conditions entered in such a way that safe con- 
clusions could not be drawn. 
“Taking the results of the station tests, together with the results 
secured by the Toledo firm, and gleaning what information it has 
been possible to obtain from various sources, the station does not 
hestitate to recommend this treatment of soils to be used for vegetable 
forcing. It must be borne in. mind, however, that no half-way or 
slipshod methods of using the mulch will give satisfactory results. 
There should be sufficient fertility in the manure to furnish enough 
plant food, when leached into the soil, to supply the three crops 
of lettuce. The quantity of manure must be sufficient also. At 
least 5 or 6 inches must be applied. A considerable quantity of 
coarse material in the manure, such as straw, corn stover, etc., is 
an advantage. Fresh manure has been used at the station each 
time, and while we have had no chance to see the effect of the 
use of well-rotted manure, we are satisfied with fresh manure, as 
we know that it will give good results. 
“Where it is the practice to mulch the cucumber or tomato crop 
the manure used for that purpose can be left on and more added, 
provided the cucumbers or tomatoes have been free from disease. 
In case these crops have been diseased, it would be advisable to 
remove the mulch used on them and to apply new mulch. 
“Frequent sprinkling of the manure on the beds is very essential, 
and where a mechanical system of watering is in use this can be 
done thoroughly and with the expenditure of little time and labor. 
When it is necessary to water by hand it will be harder to get the 
work done, but it must not be neglected, as failure is sure to follow 
the lack of sufficient water to properly leach the fertility of the 
manure into the soil and to keep it moist. 
“When the time comes to put in the first crop, if the soil is in 
need of humus the entire mulch may be spaded into the soil, but 
most greenhouse soils do not need the addition of so much coarse 
