Growing Flowers 163 



four or five feet in stacks four or five feet square 

 and left to stand for several days ten days will not 

 be too long after having dampened it thoroughly 

 with water. It should be turned over and damp- 

 ened several times at intervals of a week or more 

 when it will be ready for use. 



Compost should be well worked into the soil to a 

 depth of several inches and should not be put on full 

 strength when applying to young and tender plants, 

 but should be mixed with sand or even clay. A 

 phosphate fertilizer, such as phosphatic rock or 

 crushed bone, may be mixed with it to excellent 

 advantage. 



Barnyard manure is excellent when a fertilizer is 

 badly needed to promote rapid growth, as it may be 

 applied directly to the roots or may be placed in 

 the hole when setting out plants. 



In using nitrate of soda, never apply directly to 

 the roots. It is wonderfully invigorating but will 

 kill tender plants if too much is used. A teaspoon- 

 ful is a dose for a plant which attains only a foot 

 or two in growth. 



Soil that is continuously damp is likely to become 

 moldy or sour. A bit of lime worked into the soil 



