THE USE OF 



guard against frauds ? How are we to know 

 the good from the bad?" I reply, make use 

 of such fertilizers as are sold by reliable florists 

 and seedsmen who have established a reputa- 

 tion for honesty and fair dealing that they can- 

 not afford, even if so disposed, to take ad- 

 vantage of a customer's ignorance and palm 

 off upon her a worthless article. Such dealers 

 make a point of handling only the things whose 

 merits they are sure of. 



^'The basis of nearly all our best plant-foods 

 is bone-meal. This can be bought very cheaply 

 and I have found it about as satisfactory as 

 anything I have ever used. It can be mixed 

 with potting-soil, or it can be supplied to a 

 plant at any time by digging it into the soil in 

 such quantities as may seem advisable after 

 we have become somewhat familiar with its 

 effect. When used in this manner it will not 

 be necessary to repeat the application for some 

 time, as it does not immediately give off all its 

 nutritive qualities. The finely ground meal 

 should always be used for pot-plants. (The 

 coarse article is too slow in its operation for 

 such use.) Those who have never used it may 

 safely begin with a teaspoonful to a seven- or 

 eight-inch pot. Watch the result and do not 



52 



