Chapter THREE 



^fertilisers 



FERTILISERS in the form of animal ma- 

 nures, chemicals or vegetable matter come 

 next in importance to a good soil. Horse, 

 cow, sheep, and poultry droppings are the 

 cheapest and most direct in results. Of 

 the four, cow manure is probably the best for the 

 majority of plants, especially Pansies, Iris, Violets, 

 Ferns and others which love a cool soil. Cow manure 

 is known as a cool manure, and is suitable for a warm 

 or sandy soil. Horse manure, which is more heating, 

 especially when from young stock, is better on cold 

 or clayey soil, as it has the effect of breaking up the 

 adhesiveness of the clay and promoting the formation 

 of sand. Hen manure is very warm and is therefore 

 most suitable for cold soils. Sheep manure is espe- 

 cially desirable for Roses and house-plants, about 

 one part manure to six of earth being the propor- 

 tion. 



Good results may be obtained by the use of any or 

 all of these, if in the proper condition and judiciously 



