Requisites 



13 



where a strip containing an acre had been two years 

 in onions, and a httle piece jutting off from the mid- 

 dle of this had been prepared for them just one sea- 

 son. The rest had not received any extra manuring 

 or cultivation. When the field was plowed up in the 

 fall, all three sections were as distinctly noticeable 

 as though separated by a fence. And I know that 

 next spring's crop of rye, before it is plowed under, 

 will show the lines of demarcation just as plainly. 



This, then, will give you an idea of a good garden' 

 soil. Perhaps in yours there will be too much sand, 

 or too much clay. That will be a disadvantage, but 

 one which energy and perseverance will soon over- 

 come to a great extent — ^by what methods may be 

 learned in Chapter VIII. 



DRAINAGE 



There is, however, one other thing you must look 

 out for in selecting your garden site, and that is 

 drainage. Dig down eight or twelve inches after 

 you have picked out a favorable spot, and examine 

 the sub-soil. This is the second strata, usually of 

 different texture and color from the rich surface 

 soil, and harder than it. If you find a sandy or grav- 

 elly bed, no matter how yellow and poor it looks, you 

 have chosen the right spot. But if it be a stiff, heavy 

 clay, especially a blue clay, you will have either to 

 drain it or be content with a very late garden — that 



