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supply from this source. There seems little reason 
why Malaya should not do likewise. The demand 
for potatoes alone is sufficient to warrant the opening’ 
up of large areas. 
In making a vegetable garden there are many 
factors which require to be taken into account. The 
situation should be an open spot, preferably on a 
slope facing east. A good water supply, conveniently 
situated, is essential. The type of soil is very im- 
portant and Chinese market gardeners pay the 
utmost importance to the selection of land with 
abundance of humus. Deep loams or alluvial soils, 
rich in humus and moderately light, are most suit- 
able and require the minimum amount of prepara- 
tion. Sandy and laterite soils require heavy and 
repeated applications of organic manure. Clays, on 
the other hand, are too heavy, cold and damp, and 
are as unsuitable as barren sandy soils. It is not 
to be expected, however, that either very light or 
heavy soils, particularly the latter, will ever attain 
the same degree of perfection as a naturally well- 
balanced alluvial soil. One of the principal features 
in vegetable growing is the maintainance of a high 
class tilth; tillage makes the soil more porous and 
permeable to roots, enables vegetable and mineral 
matter to decompose more rapidly, promotes oxida- 
tion and stimulates the activity of the nitrifying 
bacteria, checks the growth of weeds and reduces 
evaporation of soil moisture. The depth of cultiva- 
tion required will depend on the nature of the soil 
and of the vegetable grown. 
Manuring is as important as tillage. Frequent 
applications of one or more organic manures, such 
as cattle manure, fish refuse, guano, oil cake, leaf 
