The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-01-01
For THE FLORIDA AGRIcULTuRIsT.
Preparation Of Soil for Spring
Garden.

III rs ldlI W tcth0 IL lOI SIdHlcO tlUu
some preparation has already been done,
otherwise we cannot expect the best re-
suits. The plot should at least have been
cleared of trees, stumps and roots. Ii
this has not already been done it is the
first thing to be seen to. Next, see that
the ground is thoroughly well drained.
No water should stand within eighteen
inches of the surface at any part of the
plot. Don't attempt to get in new lands
for garden, at this season, unless the soil
is high pine lands, or hammock well drain
ed naturally.
Having cleared your land of all surface
distractions, in the matter OF trees,
stumps, ETC., see to it also, that all grass,
weeds or straw is removed. Don't at
tempt to enrich your soil at this season
of the year by blowing in grass and weeds.
Our winter and spring rains arenot heavy
enough to rot and decOmpOse them and
they prevent that thorough mixing and
assimilating of soil and fertilizerso neces-
sary to preparing for crop. Don't
bother with it but pitch it into the COM
post heap and give the pillow clear run.
The surface then being cleared OF all OBJ
structions, take good turn pillow and
run moderately deep the first time, not
attempting to break thoroughly. Ifroots,
clods or turf-that is earth held too firm
ly together by grass roots to easily fall
to pieces-be turned up, take off the roots,
beat up the clods and earth and go over,
or rather through again with the same
pillow. This time send the pillow i'll as
deep as twill go, runningclose and break
ing thoroughly. Again go over and re-
move all roots, breaking up clOds, etc.,
as before. Again go through with the
pillow as before, running across the former
burrows. Now take a good harrow-an
acme if you have one-and run over until
the surface is level and fine. Your plot is
now ready for the fertilizer. If you are
fortunate to have plenty OF good stable
manure, make it very fine and broadcast
it over your plot to the depth of two or
three inches, pillow under lightly, say from
three to four inches deep, and again har-
row level and fine and your ground, be it
high or low, rich or poor, is ready for
any spring growing vegetable and it will
grow whether it rains or not.
But, we have not got the stable manure
or but little of it, so what shall we do?
Do the best we can. Buy the best COM
mercial fertilizer you know OF, and if you
can get enough broadcast it at the rate
of one and half to two tons per acre
\and harrow it in instead of blowing as
IN the case Of the stable manure. A safer
blan, however, to apply chemical fertilizer
is to apply in the drill when planting, be-
ing careful not TO put in very large
amount and thoroughly mixing with the
soil before planting the seed. Better open
a deep furrow, SOW the fertilizer, run a
small pillow once or twice through, cover,
level and again open for seed on top OF
fertilizer. When the plants are fairly
started fertilize again, scattering along
each side of the row rather close, but not
on the plant. This makes more work but
saves fertilizers. The chief drawback to
this method is that you may not get
enough rain in the 81 ring months to ap-