58 Gardening 
the soil is coarse grained and not in good physical condi- 
tion for the growth of plants. When the granules are of 
rather small size, the soil has a crumb structure favorable 
to the growth of roots. 
Soils like sand, that are composed chiefly of coarse 
particles, are loose. Soils like clay, that are made up 
chiefly of fine particles, often become hard and compact. 
Importance of physical condition of the soil. In a 
loose soil the roots easily make their way, and the root 
Fics. 37 and 38. Spading by the trench method. The gardener scrapes the 
manure from the unspaded ground into the trench. Then he turns another 
strip, throwing it forward, and thus completely covers the manure to a depth of 
several inches. Weeds and grass may be covered in the same way. 
