CULTURE 
S OIL in which seeds are to be sown can- 
not be too fine and delicate in texture, 
and, all things considered, I have made up 
my mind that more seeds fail because of 
unsuitable soil than from any other cause. 
It makes no difference how sturdy a plant 
may be going to become when it grows up, 
it starts as a tender, wee infant; and its 
puny strength must not only rend the im- 
prisoning earth above it, but it must put 
forth the arms with which this is to be 
done. The less vitality that need be used, 
therefore, in breaking through, the more 
there is to use in growing — hence the 
greater vigor, the more luxuriant growth, 
the greater strength. 
Very rarely is even a good garden soil 
quite the ideal soil for starting seeds in 
boxes, for it is not mellow enough. Rotted 
sod is the skilled gardener’s hobby — sod 
taken from rich old roadsides, where grass 
grows thick and soft — but this is not to be 
had for a this-year garden. So the next 
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