PLANT 
61 NEEDS 
It is of the greatest importance to keep the 
soil open and loose by proper tillage, so as to 
make plants healthy and vigorous. 
Though plants need air they should be pro- 
tected from draughts and sudden blasts of air, 
whether hot or cold. For this reason, the in- 
telligent gardener will consider the effect of 
wind upon his crops and where necessary 
will plant windbreaks. If you look about you, 
you cannot fail to see the ill effects of strong 
winds in the odd shapes of forest trees; and in 
badly arranged gardens you will find the same 
effects in the fruit trees and small fruit bushes 
and in the stunted crops. Plants shape them- 
selves to their surroundings, and the way they 
shape themselves is determined by inherited 
qualities; so it may be said that the success of 
the plant depends upon its surroundings and 
upon the seed it came from. 
