PREFACE xix 



does not keep stock will be fortunate if he can buy well- 

 cured manure. 



"Liquid manure," as spoken of in this book, can be 

 conveniently made by immersing a bag of fresh horse- 

 manure in a tub of water. The product is strong in 

 nitrogen, and is excellent as an application to plants 

 which are expected to make a good stalk and leaf 

 growth. The liquid manure should be applied dilute, 

 and in small quantities; it should be put upon the 

 ground, and never upon the plant itself. 



Nitrate of soda is much used for the same purpose, 

 should also be sparingly applied, and not upon the 

 plant. It may be strewed upon the ground, to be car- 

 ried to the roots by the rains, or may first be dissolved 

 in water. Nitrate of soda and liquid manure are always 

 best applied in occasional small doses, rather than in 

 larger ones at greater intervals, on account of the 

 danger of over-stimulating the plants, as well as of loss 

 of fertilizer by leaching. 



For seed-sowing I assume that the practice is as 

 follows. The soil being well pulverized to the depth of 

 a foot or more, the drill is dug to the required depth, 

 the seed is scattered or laid within it at the proper dis- 

 tances, the soil is raked upon the seeds (without dis- 

 turbing them) and made firm by pressure (by treading 

 or rolling), and then the row is mulched lightly with 

 loose earth to keep it from baking or drying out. In 

 case the soil is very dry it is well first to fill the furrow 



