178 GARDEN GUIDE 



immediate use for the hardiest seeds or plants, but if it is- all given the 

 same treatment the moisture will be conserved. It pays to take a 

 good deal of care and time to get all trash and stones raked up and re- 

 moved before you think of getting the surface ready for planting. 



For practical results the enriching of your garden can be accom- 

 phshed in no better way than by the application of all the manure you 

 can conveniently get. It should be well rotted and not green and 

 lumpy. Horse and cattle manure mixed that has been kept under 

 cover and has thoroughly fermented but not "fire-fanged" or burned 

 out, is the best. If you can get enough of this to spread it three or four 

 inches deep all over your garden, you will have the foundation for big 

 crops. 



Chicken manure is particularly powerful, but should have been 

 kept so that it is fme and dry, and not stuck together in a pasty mass. 

 If you have only a small quantity, it is wise to keep it just for use in 

 hills and for transplanting rather than to spread it over the whole gar- 

 den. Sheep manure, like chicken manure, is very high in nitrogen, 

 and should be used in the same way. Within recent years it has been 

 possible to purchase cattle, horse and sheep manure in standardized, 

 prepared forms which are dry and convenient to handle. Where yard 

 manure cannot be conveniently obtained, these can be used. 



Because it has been increasingly difficult to get" manures in suffi- 

 cient quantities, commercial fertilizers have come more into use. As 

 it is more convenient, the small gardener usually buys his fertilizer in 

 the form of a completely mixed preparation. See Fertilizer chapter. 



It will be well to have on hand, however, a small quantity each of 

 fine ground bone, guano or dried blood. These are all quick acting 

 fertilizers which can be used in hills or drills. You can also use all 

 the wood ashes you can get. Dustings of lime are also helpful. Com- 

 mercial "humus" or prepared decayed vegetable matter is inexpensive 

 and will prove very beneficial. It is often advertised. 



Sowing and Transplanting 



The operations of planting and transplanting are two at which the 

 gardener must become expert as soon as possible. The first step is 

 to have a thoroughly prepared seed bed or planting surface. Have 

 the soil thoroughly pulverized. It may then be left until ready for 

 use. Just before you sow or plant, the surface should again be gone 

 over with an iron rake. Make it as smooth and fine as you possibly 

 can. 



