10 ALLOTMENT GAEDENS 



MANURES FOR AN ALLOTMENT GARDEN 



The manures usually available to an allotment holder 

 are of two kinds natural and chemical. 



In the former, stable manure is most in demand on 

 account of its cheapness and being easily procurable. 



To be of the greatest benefit it requires some manage- 

 ment when placed in a heap, for it loses much of its 

 value when it gets too hot and dry, or when so saturated 

 with water that a stream of black liquid runs from the 

 heap ; the soluble plant foods should be retained by 

 placing occasional layers of soil, some 3 inches thick, 

 between the layers of manure, and the top of the heap 

 should be covered with a layer of soil at least 6 inches 

 thick. 



Cow manure is most suitable for light and hot soils. 



Pig manure is suitable for light and loamy soils. 



Night soil on the earth pail system may be used to 

 advantage. Household slops are useful for watering 

 most plants, potatoes excepted. Ten pole of ground 

 is sufficient for the night soil from four to six people. 



Chemical manures applied as a powder should be 

 well broken up and evenly distributed. See that the 

 manures do not fall on the leaves. A manure applied 

 in a liquid form is of greater value as a plant-food 

 than if applied in the form of a solid. 



The following table, with diagram, gives full informa- 

 tion on the general manures, when and how to apply 

 them : 



