MAKING THE SOIL FOUNDATION 25 



at all times the ingredients necessary to 

 make up a good potting soil, so in an out- 

 building away from the weather, or in the 

 cellar, have bins in which a six months' 

 (if not a year's) supply, of the articles just 

 mentioned may be stored. You will find 

 this a very decided advantage, especially 

 in the winter when the ground is frozen. 

 Even the manure may be stored in the cellar, 

 if it is well decayed, without the least incon- 

 venience. 



No hard and fast rule can be laid down 

 for the amounts of the different ingredients 

 of a potting soil. They will vary with 

 the character of the soil in your locality. 

 I have found that a soil composed of equal 

 parts of rotted sod, manure, leafmould, 

 and sand Vv^ll give excellent results with 

 plants ordinarily grown in the house. If 

 the rotted sod has been composted then it 

 will be necessary to add only sand and 

 leafmould. 



Mix the soil thoroughly before planting. 

 The best way to do this is to get the com- 

 ponent parts together in layers, and then 

 throwing the mass over to making a new 

 pile. Always shovel from the bottom of 



