The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-07-03
Baking of (,artIen Reds,

When any obtacle or difficulty is overcome,
however small, in which the public are con.
cerned, deem it duty we owe each other
to make it known; hence | am induced to
give my experience and practice for the ben.
eft of those who, like me, have to cultivate
heavy, clammy soil for garden. Such
soil may be put in the best condition when
the seeds are planted, but before they ger
inmate sufficiently to reach the light and air,
so essential to their existence, as is frequent.
ly the case, there comes heavy dash OF rain,
followed with hot sun, forming hard crust
impervious to the little, delicate plants too
feeble to break through their imprisoning
wall. have had to pick open the lows with
an iron tooth rake, or reduce the surface to
fine, loose state again, and plant over.
The plan l now adopt entirely obviates such
discouraging difficulty. After putting the
ground in the best of condition by deep cul'
ture, breaking down Jumps and working in
good supply of well-rotted manure none
other should be used in family garden) I
rake the surface smooth, over which spread
compost, prepared for that purpose, about
half an inch thick; lightly draw the rake
once or twice over the covered surface, which
mikes the soil and compost. When prepare
large beds | spade strip three or four feet
wide the entire length or breadth, prepare 1t
for the topdresslng and spread 1t on, and so
on, until finished, by which unsightly foot
marks are avoided, if for appearance sake
only
Remember have reference to a common
size family garden. When the seeds are
planted have board fifteen inches wide
(my usual space between the rows, as long
as the width or length of the beds on which
l stand. The edge of the board being my
guide, with pointed stick / make little
trench the required depth, drop in the seed,
and with the back of the rake fill up the lit
tie trenches, and at the same time lightly
press upon the covered seeds to firm
the loose covering, that it will not dry out
readily; then turn the board twice, plant at
each edge, and so on until finished, when the
entire bed presents smooth appearance.
have wandered beyond my first intention
in giving more minute detail of my mode
of successfully starting my plants on heavy,
baked soil; however, it may relieve some
novice in gardening of vexation, disappolnt-
ment and trouble. There are at least two i'm
portant objects gained by my plan. The rain
may flood my garden the sun may send its
hottest rays, but the terminating seeds, ifnot
washed away, will still have moist, comfor-
table and luxurious bed in the fine earth and
open texture Of the manure, which of itself
will not adhere and bake besides adding an
additional supply of plant food within their
AS to my compost for top dressing to my
garden beds, / endeay0r at odd spells to pre-
pare enough to mix in the soil when spad-
ing, which it not only lightcns but
deepens. In May or early June, when grass
roots are full Of juice, with a pillow or mattock
skin off old, sour grass sods two to three N
Ches deep along the sides of roads and fence
corners; with iAeln make u bed inches high
in some convenient place. The size of the
heap make tot my garden is about five by |
ten feet; on tho sods | spread evenly a two
twohorse waguI load OF stable manure, ON
which anothc aver Of sods and again an
other load of t.. Lure.
The heap i, 'uIt up nearly straight; the
top made dishing; then cover three to four
inches the e. re heap with sand; finally |
cover it with Ioards. Chamber Stops, soap.
sHds on wash Ga, : and dish.water are emptied
in Cask, and convenient times transferred
to the top of the heap. In August the heap
is carefully forked over, working the outside
edges in the center, and made up in shape as
before, continuing to add the liquids. In
September overhaul again, mixing the lngre
dients thoroughly, and forming the top in
conical shape, that the winter rains may be
carried off When used in spring, with per-
haps little extra working, you have strong
fertilizer for any purpose, and specific top
dressing for small seeds in a heavy baking
soil.-Cor. y, J, Tribune.