VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 



17 



The greater quantity of plant-food is made up of carbon dioxide (obtained 

 by the leaves from the air) and water which is drawn up by the roots from 

 the soil ; the balance (about 2 per cent, only) also comes from the soil. 

 Development depends largely upon a wonderfully delicate and elaborate 

 process by means of which the plant makes use of both. Small though the 

 proportion appears to be, the 2 per cent, is of the greatest importance, being 

 made up of ten ingredients that are each quite essential to the growth of*the 

 plant. Most of these ingredients are present in almost all soils in super- 

 abundance, and as plants get enough of them for their requirements the 



A Home-made Hand Seed and Manure Sower. 



It consists of a small box with a tunnel-shaped end through which either seeds or manure 

 can he sown. A slide can be fitted to regulate the sowing of the smallest seeds. 



cultivator need not concern himself about them. The exceptions are nitrogen t 

 phosphoric acid, potash, and sometimes lime. Even of thesf, there is a 

 plentiful supply in most soils, but not always in such a condition that 

 plants can make use of it. The object of the gardener, therefore, should be 

 to do all that he can to enable the supplies in the soil to become available, 

 and where they are insufficient to enhance the supply by adding materials 

 that contain them in some form readily available to the plants. 



The proper manuring of crops had been greatly neglected in this State until 

 within the last few years, and even now it is not unusual to hear doubts 

 expressed as to the efficiency of chemical fertilisers ; occasionally someone even 



