Evening journal., 1909-04-19
HINTS OF THE
FARM AND GARDEN
Secrets of Success for the
Suburban Gardener in
HandIing Soil

The suburban gardener will need certain
tools to expedite matters. For pre,-r-
ing the soil, spade, fork and rake will
be needed for planting, garden line
and common hoe is necessary; for cul-
uvating. haad plow and cultivator at
tachments. All these tools can be pur-
chased az any Of the large seed stores or
dealers
Prof. J. II. Bailey of Cornell Univer-
sity, says the best water can" the gar
dener can use Is a common garden rake.
In one of his books, designed for use in
the common schools, and, therefore, writ
ten In language adapted to tie under
standing OF children, he says:
IL wonder II you have a watering pot2
II you have, put it where you cannot
find Il, for we are going TO water the
garden with a rakel we want you to
learn. in this little garden. the first great
lesson In farming-how to save the water
In the soil II you learn that much tAis
summer you will know more than many
old farmers do. You know that the soil
is moist in the spring when you plant the
seeds. Where does this moisture go to2
II dries up-goes on into the air. II we
could cover up the soil with something,
we could prevent the moisture from dry
ing up. Let us cover It with a layer Of
loose dry earth! We will make this COW
ering by raking the bed every few days.
Keep the Top Soil Loose.
The soil must never be allowed to be-
come hard and baked. II should be stirred
frequently and as deeply as possible
without disturbing the roots. This will
increase its capacity TO retain moisture,
a.. -
the plants. Prof Bailey meant that when
he refers to watering with a rake" Soil
and leaf crops must be kept loose to
cause them 10 grow quickly, which will
make them tender
Water passing Off from a wet surface
into the air is called evaporation. During
a dry spell. water evaporates from the
surface OF the soil and other water from
below rises to take its place. In wet
weather the water in the soil tends to
move downward.
Growing plants consist largely Of wa
ter which is taken in by the roots and
passes of through the leaves as vapor.
Much water cannot be taken In by the
leaves. Weeds waste valuable soil water
in dry weather, and cultivation is neces-
sary that these weeds may not exist.
Saving Soil Moisture.
The soil acts like reservoir to catch
and hold the water that falls in rains
and SHOWS. and TO give il out as crops
need II. II is important that the soil
be porous enough to admit plenty Of air
! to the roots Of plants.
BY plowing manure into the soil we
help Il to catch and retain rain water.
! A surface layer Of crumbied soil which
may be formed with a rake, reduced
. evaporation. and thus saves water for
the crop that is growing on the land
Instead of layer OF crumbied sol a
mulch Of litter may be used to check
the rise Of water TO the surface
Setting the Broody Hen.
The season has arrivel when the SUI
burban hen is apt to show signs OF
I broodiness. The average beginner ir
poultry culture is pretty sure TO imag
inc that because the hen stays on th'
nest some time after she has laid an egg
= she is broody, and many setting o
good eggs has been spoiled by too mucl
n haste.
When a hen IS really broody. she vii
: not only show it by "cucking' whei
= of the nest, but when on the nest sh
. will ruffe up her feathers and squeal
] and sometimes pick at you the momen
you approach her. When in that condi
: ton she is to be trusted.
The average beginner does not know
how 10 set a hen, and much less hoy
TO take care Of her. He is apt TO tacl
up boxes about the house, or allow he
a regular laying nest, and in order &
, keep the rest OF the fock from worry
ing her will enclose her with Gag
. or something. About once day h,
! will take her of the nest to allow he
= to eat and dust herself. It is wronl
move TO make. No man IS so wise tina
he knows just when a hen, wants 4
: get off her eggs, or when she must re
: turn 10 them.
. The Best Plan.
: The best plan is to use a barrel out
= doors. Place the barrel on its side an
. fasten It so it will not move-a goo
? plan is TO dig away a few inches o
earth and have the barrel ft in tn
excavation. Then throw in severalinche
OF earth, and on top of this make nest