THE GARDEN 



it will be in a condition to pulverize easily. 

 Work it over until it becomes fine and mellow. 

 This is important, for the delicate roots of seed- 

 ling plants will find it difficult to make their 

 way in a coarse, hard soil. Also, fertilize it well. 

 This is another item of great importance, for 

 in order to secure a vigorous development we 

 must feed our plants well. Those living in the 

 country, where barnyard manure is easily pro- 

 curable, will doubtless depend on this as a fer- 

 tilizer, and, indeed, there is nothing superior 

 to it in nutritive value, but there is one serious 

 objection to its use, and that is the certainty 

 with which weeds are introduced into the gar- 

 den by it. There will be all the weed-pulling 

 one cares to do under the most favorable cir- 

 cumstances, and barnyard manure will add 

 vastly to the crop. I have for some years past 

 depended on commercial fertilizers in the flower- 

 garden, and I am well satisfied with the result. 

 By their use I get fine plants and no weeds. I 

 do not mean that the person who uses these fer- 

 tilizers will not have weeds to fight, but there 

 will be only those which come from seed in the 

 soil. The gardener who lives in city or village 

 will find these fertilizers on sale at very reason- 

 able rates at all places where agricultural 



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