SUCCESS IN MARKET GARDENING 



that where sods, muck and weeds form a part 

 of the mass, it is not alone the vegetable matter 

 which has been brought in that constitutes a 

 material addition; perhaps it is not even the 

 principal one. There is always considerable earth 

 adhering. "The fermentation, induced by the 

 dung and liquid manure and the action of the 

 lime or ashes added, works upon the earth adhering 

 to the roots and forming a considerable part 

 both of sods and muck ; and develops an admirable 

 quality of plant food." Hence this element of 

 the compost heap, which is generally overlooked 

 as unimportant, should never be wanting 

 instead of diluting, it in reality reinforces the 

 other manurial elements. 



Liquid manure is seldom at hand in large 

 quantities, and not much advance has been made 

 in using it directly upon the land under crop. 

 When this is done, it should be in a very diluted 

 state. Even if so much diluted that it seems to 

 run perfectly clear, it may still be found sufficiently 

 strong; if too strong its use would be injurious 

 rather than helpful, and might often destroy a 

 crop entirely. There is far more danger of getting 

 it too strong than of making it too weak. It may 



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