THE CHEMISTRY OF THE SOIL. I 1 5 



applied at the rate of £ to I cwt. per aire supplies a readily available form of 

 phosphoric acid. It has a marked effect upon the growth of the young 

 j ants, ami results in a greatly increased yield. 



Mangolds. — Although experiments arc at present being carried out by the 

 Department to determine the most profitable fertiliser mixture for this crop, 

 results will not be available for some time, and positive recommendations 

 based on local field experience are therefore impossible. Tt may be said, 

 however, that mangolds are an exhausting crop, capable of making use of a 

 greater amount of plant food during their growth than most crops, and for 

 this reason it will in all probability be found that a heavy application of a 

 complete fertiliser will be profitable. In the repairing of the soil's fertility, 

 farmyard manure (though usually difficult to procure in any quantity) plays 

 an important part. Heavy dressings of this may be applied, preferably in 

 the form of rotted manure, but as farmyard manure is somewhat deficient in 

 phosphoric acid, about 1 cwt. of superphosphate per acre should be applied 

 with the seed. 



Vegetables. 



Farmyard manure, green manure and artificial fertilisers can all be used 

 with advantage by the vegetable grower. Without enlarging here upon the 

 advantages of the use of the two first-mentioned manures in relation to their 

 beneficial effect upon the mechanical condition of the soil, it may be said 

 that artificial manures are better used to supplement applications of farm 

 manure (or, failing this, of green manure) than in place of them. 



Of animal manures, each has its particular utility, but availability is a 

 big consideration, and use must be made of whatever kind is handy, for all 

 are more or less of value in the growing of vegetables. 



Horse manure is drier than most manures, and for this reason it acts 

 most quickly and is most efficient in the raising of early crops. As it decom- 

 poses rapidly, and consequently generates heat in a shorter time than a slow 

 decomposing manure (such as cow manure), it is most valuable for winter use. 



Cow and pig manures are of a heavier nature, decomposing more slowly 

 and being therefore slower in action. They are good moisture-holders, and 

 are therefore very valuable during the summer. Sheep-manure is fine-textured 

 and very concentrated, and is therefore of great value in the vegetable garden ; 

 unless care is exercised, however, weed seeds may inadvertently be introduced 

 with it as with all other dung. Poultry manure is the most concentrated 

 of all animal manures, and on this account it must be applied with discretion. 

 If dry sand is scattered regularly on the floor of the fowl-house, the droppings 

 will be drier and therefore more suitable for spreading on the surface of the 

 soil. If fresh poultry manure is used, it should be raked or lightly dug into 

 the surface of the soil or applied in the form of liquid manure. If it is 

 intended to dig the manure into the soil, it is advisable first to allow it to 

 rot in the compost heap. 



Many of the earlier planted crops, such as. lettuce, cabbage and silver beet, 

 will be more tender for being forced by applications of liquid manure. Liquid 

 manure is best made from fowl droppings ; in fact, it is in liquid form that 

 this valuable animal fertiliser is best applied. The method of preparation is 



as follows : — 



Soak a sugar bag of fresh poultry, cow, or pig manure for a week in a cask 

 with the head knocked in ; one holding from 40 to 50 gallons is the most 

 handy. Use the resulting solution at the rate of one part to three parts of 



