CHAPTER XV 



THE LAND AND ITS TREATMENT 



Soil and climate are determining factors in the locat- 

 ing of a vegetable-garden; and if the garden is a com- 

 mercial enterprise, the market adds a third factor. The 

 gardener may control the climate for the plants, at certain 

 stages, and this subject we have considered in Chapter 

 XIV under the name of " Glass." 



Good market-gardening land is "quick." It warms up 

 early, in spring ; it comes speedily into workable condition 

 after a rain; it is easy to keep in good tilth; it responds 

 quickly to fertilizing materials. Its physical condition is 

 more important than its original richness in plant-food: 

 the latter can be added. In the determination of a soil for 

 vegetable-gardening purposes, two coordinate factors are 

 to be considered — the structure or physical make-up, and 

 the content of plant-food. 



Most general market-gardens are on sandy loams. A 

 few crops, of which onions and celery are examples, de- 

 mand particular types of soils for best results; but if one 

 has a deep and uniform sandy soil, one can make an ideal 

 garden of it, other things being equal. If the land is well 

 drained and if rainfall is sufficient, this sandy land can be 

 made immensely productive by a combination of three 

 things, — good tillage, the incorporation of plant-fiber or 



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