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Woodlawn School Gardens, Portland, Oregon. 
The School Garden 
First and of the most importance will be to secure a suitable lot. 
This is often difficult, there being no available lots near the school 
building. If there is room in the school yard it will be the most satis¬ 
factory place. 
If possible the land should be plowed in November, just before the 
ground freezes. The winter’s action, freezing and thawing tends to 
pulverize heavy, cloddy soil, so that a second plowing in the spring will 
leave it in fine condition for planting.. 
After the spring plowing, harrow thoroughly, and follow with the 
planker, or clod crusher, which will thoroughly pulverize the lumps, 
leaving the. surf ace level and smooth, ready for laying out the beds. 
It is of the utmost importance that the soil be in the right condition 
when plowed and harrowed. Do not undertake to prepare it too early, 
or when too wet. Better to wait two or three weeks, rather than to 
begin before the soil is sufficiently dry. Soil that is worked when too 
wet will be cloddy and hard throughout the season. 
Always bear in mind that fine mellow soil will retain the moisture, 
and aid germination, while cloddy soil that has been worked when too 
wet will soon dry out, and the seed perish. 
The best time to fertilize the land will be in autumn, before the 
November plowing. Fresh stable manure can be applied at this time in 
almost any quantity, and plowed under. This is especially desirable if 
the land is inclined to be heavy as it will tend to make it loose and pliable. 
It is not advisable to use much fresh manure in the spring. Commercial 
fertilizers should be used at this time, applying it just before the harrow 
is used. 
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