54 
GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
Special 
Soil 
Mixture 
Acidity 
Test 
Drainage 
and 
Protection 
peaty soil, as above, added to bring it to the consistency of good 
loam. Both sand and clay, therefore, require about the same treat¬ 
ment, the chief difference being in the depth to be removed, for the 
proportions of the mixture to be replaced is the same. 
This special soil mixture may be estimated as follows: one part 
cottonseed meal to three parts sand, to which is added ten parts 
peatmoss, or acid leaf mold, or muck; and six parts rotted hard¬ 
wood or bark of above named trees. Finely ground Sphagnum moss 
often is used without any mixture of soil. Or, another combination 
that is used, is one part clay, one part sand, and one part leaf- 
mold (acid) to two parts peatmoss. Aluminum sulphate also may 
be spread over the surface (one-half pound to each square yard, 
approximately) and raked into the ground; or hemlock extract 
or tannic acid are satisfactory. However, the aluminum sulphate is 
indispensable as a safe, quick means of supplying and maintaining 
acidity in the soil, the correct degree being determined by blue 
litmus paper turning red after being placed (covered) in the soil 
for thirty minutes. The soil is then acid enough. (See page 14). 
All acid-loving plants are exacting, also, in their requirements 
of adequate drainage. In some situations an elevated bed, some¬ 
times on a gentle slope, is needed to obtain the best results from 
the plant. Yet care should be taken not to locate them in a spot 
that is too well-drained and dry. It is suggested that, as their habi¬ 
tat is usually in woods, a certain amount of shade and protection 
is their preference. 
Editors. 
