The Soil 



65 



plow until it has dried out sufficiently to crumble 

 from the plow, instead of making a wet, pasty 

 furrow. 



The owner of a clayey garden has one big conso- 

 lation. It will not let his plant food go to waste. 

 It will hold manures and fertilizers incorporated 

 with it longer than any other soil. 



Sandy Soil is, as the term implies, composed 

 largely of sand, and is the reverse of clay soil. So, 

 also, with the treatment. It should be so handled 

 as to be kept as compact as possible. The use of a 

 heavy roller, as frequently as possible, will prove 

 very beneficial. Sowing or planting should follow 

 immediately after plowing, and fertilizers or ma- 

 nures should be applied only immediately before. 



If clay soil is obtainable nearby, a small area of 

 sandy soil, such as is required for the garden, can be 

 made into excellent soil by the addition of the 

 former, applied as you would manure. Plow the 

 garden in the fall and spread the clay soil on evenly, 

 harrowing in with a disc in the spring. The result 

 will be as beneficial as that of an equal dressing of 

 good manure — and will be permanent. 



It is one of the valuable qualities of lime, and also 

 of gypsum to even a greater extent, that while it 

 helps a clay soil, it is equally valuable for a sandy 

 one. The same is true of ashes and of the organic 

 manures — especially of green manuring. Fertiliz- 



