The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-03-17
NEEDS OF PLANTS
IN HOME GARDENS
Washington's Clay and Sand
Soils Require Proper Prep
aration by TiIIers.

best prepared for planting. Washing
ton soil contains much clay and sand,
making 1t rather difficult to cultivate
properly. To obtain the best results
from q garden. It is necessary that
the soil be put In the best possible
condition.
To grow well a plant requires a
deep, mellow, moist soil supplied
with the right amount of air. heat,
and plant food. An important step,
then, in the successful growing Of
vegetables is to prepare the soil In
such a way that IL will be conducive
of the best root growth.
The soil for truck crops il q rich
sandy loam-a soil containing vary
ing proportions of clay, sand, and or
ganic matter. A good vegetable soil
can be made in most back yards by
Intelligent management.
| Examination of dry clay soil
shows that the particles Of clay are
very fine, like wheat flour, with
smooth, rounded edges. Such particles
1T closely together and produce a
compact soil, which prevents roots
penetrating easily or the rain enter
| ing. To make "a clay soil mellow,
something must be done to make the
| pore spaces larger. Proper tillage of
| the soil, the application Of organic
matter and lime, and drainage will all
help to do this,
| TiIIIng Clay Soil
Clay is the soil most easily injured
by tilling when It is not in the right
condition as to moisture. II worked
too wet, the particles all slide to-
Rether into a compact mass. On the
other hand, IL worked too dry, the
clods are hard to break. When clay
| soil is In the right condition to work,
IL will crumble apart in the hand
II 1t sticks together, II Is too wet
| Organic matter also helps to put
clay soil in proper condition for gar
dening. Organic matter Is decaying
vegetable or animal matter. II may
be added to the soil in the form OF
barnyard manure, in compost made
of autumn leaves, plants and garden
refuse, or in turning under crops that
have been grown previously.
A large amount Of organic matter
Is essential in soils in which vege-
tables are to be grown. 1t improves
/ the texture of a soil, making a clay
soil more mellow and a sandy soil
more compact 1t makes soil
warmer for vegetables. Because OF
its texture, 1t enables a soil to hold
4 and retain more moisture. 1t Is also
the storehouse for nitrogen plant
food, the most expensive plant food
| to buy.
The chief use OF lime is to improve
| the texture of a clay soil. Lime helps
to liberate plant food and occasional
i II ~
\ neutraIizes harmful acids. IT has
tens the decay of organic matter and
increases the work OF nitrogen gath
/ erinR bacteria. AS a rule, the best
form Of lime to use Is finely ground
| limestone. II should be applied after
spading rather than before, so that
1t may not be buried too deeply.
Lime Needs Vary
Plants vary in their need Of lime
The yield Of Iettuse. beets. cantaloupes.
onions and some other vegetables Is
increased by the use Of lime. but II
potatoes are to be grown. lime Is not to
be used. since the fungus that causes
scabby potatoes can not thrive in an
acid soil
A soil may best be drained by laying
the land out in beds, by constructing
bitches, or by making a system Of I'M
derground tile drains. In many sec
tions the land is thrown up in level
beds 1--WE feet wide, to insure suffic-
lent drainage
To make a sandy soil compact. barn
yard manure can be added. This fills
I'd the pore spaces and helps to retain
| the rain and the plant food within the
reach Of the roots.
On a clay soil the rain runs off; this
can be prevented by making the soil
mellow.
Crust Hampers Growth
safe rule Is never to allow a crust
TO form on the surface OF the soil. for
the crust indicates that the soil mix
ture is coming to the surface. evapor-
atIng, and leaving the plant food on
the top to cement the soil particles to-
gether. A plant needs about 500 pounds
OF water to produce one pound Of dry
matter, Vegetables will not suffer
through a drought II the soil Is first
prepared so that the rain can enter
and be retained.
In regard to fertilizers, 1t Is often
more convenient to, purchase conf
plete fertilizer instead OF separate
amount OF the commercial fertilizers
that supply nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium. A complete fertilizer con-
tains all three Of these plant foods.
There are many such fertilizers on the
market. Cottonseed meal. acid phos-
phate and wood ashes make an excel
lent complete fertilizer. but the wood
ashes should be applied separately
| frono the others.