The Library of Work and Play: Gardening and Farming. | Page 5

then."
"They might have one of their own," suggested Peter.
"And do different things," continued Philip.
"I really don't see," Jay went on, "quite how we could have them. But, I
suppose, they might meet with The Chief and we could help them
sometimes."
"No," said Albert, "we don't wish to get mixed up with that sort of thing.
They'd run the whole club in the end."
"That's right," agreed George.
This was put to vote properly and the girls were barred out.
"You must write them a letter, Albert," concluded Jay.
"Write a letter! A letter to those girls! Never!"
"Yes you will; you are the secretary and you have to, understand," said
Jay. Poor Albert, not long before so proud of his office, looked as if
he'd rather be whipped than be the secretary.
"The real business to-night is to hear reports so we can do a little
experimenting and testing next week," suggested the man.
"All right, we'll have George's first."
"I shall, of course," began George, "plant my corn, Country Gentleman,
in with father's. We have plenty of seed corn, so I shall not have to buy

any. As far as my old slope goes I have to pick all the stone off. Then I
am not sure just how to drain it, for the rains from another slope above
wash it all the spring and summer. I shall then put some barnyard
manure on and plant it all to corn. Of course, I must plough and harrow
it, too."
"Now," said The Chief, "I guess we'd better stop right here and have a
little talk, for George has brought up some problems for discussion. In
the first place--let us consider the draining. All George has to consider
is that he has to conduct or lead the water off his land."
"But," said George, "that is what seems to me difficult."
"Have you noticed how water takes definite courses down hills? That
ought to give you some help."
"I see," cried Jack, "George could make gutters for the rain to travel
along and so lead the water off his garden."
"Exactly, Jack has the idea. It is really a bit of engineering. Suppose
George finds the highest point, the greatest slope, of his land. From this
point a gutter or furrow should be dug so that the water is made to flow
off and away from his land."
"How deep shall I dig the gutter?"
"Dig it about three feet deep and fill stones right into this gutter. Two
feet of stone in the gutter is about right. Water falling on a stone mass
drains off properly. It would sink into an earth mass. Bring a little
sketch of this with you next week, George, showing where you are
going to dig the drain. Now boys, how much fertilizer do you think
ought to go on this poor land of George's?"
"I was going to put on two inches," said George.
"I should think he ought to put at least four inches on," half questioned
Myron.
"I'll say eight," began Philip. The boys shouted at this.
"Philip," went on the man after the laughter ceased, "is very nearly
right. If George wishes to get anything from this old land at once, he
must fertilize it heavily. If your father can spare a foot of fertilizer put it
on." The boys all whistled.
"Now about the corn! Did you know, George, that corn is a most
exhaustive crop?"
"I don't even know what you mean."
"I do," said Jack, "he means corn tires the soil."

"Just so," continued The Chief, "the soil supplies food to the plant.
Some crops use up more of the soil's goodness than others. Corn is one
of these. Now, George, what do you think about planting a crop that
works the soil very hard, especially when the soil you are dealing with
is rather poor?"
"It wouldn't be the best thing, I should say. Will you suggest good
things to plant?"
"Well, potatoes, tomatoes and cabbage demand less from the soil."
"Then I choose cabbage, I'll plant that entire old slope to cabbage."
"Now, Jack, suppose you talk."
"I have decided to build a coldframe, so I can get a little earlier start
with my plants; I suppose I should have begun this frame last fall. I
know this--that I have to dig out my whole garden spot and fill it in. So
I thought I could get a start with the coldframe while I was working at
filling in. I have decided to plant lettuce, radish, beets, tomatoes,
peppers and some flowers. I think I shall plant asters, stock and
sunflowers."
"Why sunflowers?" asked Philip.
"I want the seed for my squirrel's feed next winter. Then, too, I think
sunflowers make a pretty