Vegetables with Edible Fruits 171 



ment : " Catch a farmer of that class (one who fertilizes 

 heavily) going backwards and putting on less and less 

 manure on his ground, what a phenomenon he would be. 

 No; the progress of all enterprising farmers is in one 

 direction. By extra manuring, the possibilities of re- 

 ceiving extra paying returns are far greater in agricultural 

 than in commercial life, as figures will readily show, 

 though the popular belief is directly the contrary." 



Of all the plants that have been discussed, squashes 

 can best stand top-dressing in fertilizing and are best 

 adapted to hill fertilization. A plan that has long been 

 followed, is to dig a circle about 2 feet in diameter and 

 a foot deep, and fill in with fertilizer together with the 

 earth taken out ; this will make a mole-hill-shaped mound 

 when finished. The seeds are then planted on the top. 

 This involves much unnecessary work with no advantage. 

 A better way is to make the hills where wanted, fertilize 

 heavily and mix well with the soil, but not stir more than 

 6 or 8 inches deep, as the roots are surface feeders and 

 should not be coaxed into the soil. The second applica- 

 tion should be made when the vines begin to run, and 

 must be placed some distance from the hill. 



Fertilizers for squashes. 



The fertilizer ingredients should be in the following 

 proportions : ammonia, 5 per cent ; available phosphoric 

 acid, 6 per cent ; potash, 8 per cent. Use 1000 to 1500 

 pounds of the above formula to the acre. If nitrate of 

 soda is used to supply the nitrogen, several applications 

 will have to be given. It will be better, however, to use 

 some less soluble form. 



