100 MANUAL OF GARDENING 
A garden soil is not in good condition when it is hard and 
crusted on top. The crust may be the cause of wasting water, 
it keeps out the air, and in general it is an uncongenial physical 
condition; but its evaporation of water is probably its chief 
defect. Instead of pouring water on the land, therefore, we 
94. To illustrate poor preparation of ground. 
first attempt to keep the moisture in the land. If, however, 
the soil becomes so dry in spite of you that the plants do not 
thrive, then water the bed. Do not sprinkle it, but water it. 
Wet it clear through at evening. Then in the morning, when 
the earth begins to dry, loosen the surface again to keep the 
water from getting away. Sprinkling the plants every day or 
two is one of the surest ways of spoiling them. We may water 
the ground with a garden-rake. 
