Soil and Fertilization 109 



inches from the plant, if it is a small plant, and a 

 foot or two away, if it is a plant having spreading 

 roots. The roots will reach out for their food, 

 and if put too close to the plant, the plant may 

 become burned and the roots will not be fed. The 

 manufacturers of most reliable fertilizers give 

 accurate instructions as to use. 



Different kinds of vegetation require different 

 fertilization. Sheep manure is best for some plants, 

 compost for others, barnyard fertilizer for others, 

 etc. Find out just what fertilizer your particular 

 plants need. 



The value of compost can be added to by sprin- 

 kling finely ground raw phosphatic rock over the 

 pile each time it is turned over. This helps to 

 hold the ammonia and strengthens the fertilization. 



A good fertilizer will analyze about 3% nitrogen, 

 8% available phosphoric acid, and 8% potash, and 

 should be used at the rate of eight pounds to the 

 square rod. This should be applied just previous 

 to planting and should be thoroughly worked into 

 the soil for a depth of three or four inches. 



Soil that is used every year should be occasion- 

 ally limed. Either air-slaked or water-slaked 

 lime should be applied at the rate of about 2000 



