A LIVING FROM THE LAND 



carry the soluble fertility elements into the sur- 

 face inches of the soil. In the early spring a 

 thorough job of plowing or spading should be 

 done to reasonable depth, completely covering 

 the surface straw or dead plants. Every two or 

 three years lime should be applied after plowing 

 and worked into the top soil at the rate of 

 I pound of hydrated lime to every 25 square feet 

 of soil. 



Fertilizing and Culture. The fertility supplied 

 through application of manure should be supple- 

 mented by the use of commercial fertilizer. 

 This can be purchased in burlap bags from local 

 supply agencies and should contain about 5 per 

 cent nitrogen, 8 per cent phosphoric acid and 

 7 per cent potash. Moderate variations in 

 analysis from 5-8-7, as above, are not important 

 so long as the amounts of each element are well 

 balanced. The fertilizer should be broadcast 

 over the garden after plowing, at the rate of 

 I pound to every 25 square feet and worked 

 into the soil before planting. Poultry or sheep 

 manure may be used as top dressing to alternate 

 with commercial fertilizer. It should be borne in 

 mind that such animal manures are richer in 

 nitrogen than in other elements and if used to 

 excess may stimulate leaf growth at the expense 

 of yield and quality. 



Frequent shallow cultivations are desirable. 

 The ordinary wheel hoe will be found helpful 



104 



