116 THE FARMERS' HANDBOOK. 



fresh water. Fill the cask again, and when the manure has soaked for a 

 week use the solution at the rate of one part to one part of fresh water. The 

 cask may then be filled up a third time and after the liquid has been allowed 

 to stand for a we ,j k it may be used neat. This form of liquid manure is safe, 

 and if used weekly at the rate of 4 gallons to every 18 feet of running row, 

 no further stimulant is necessary for most growing crops. •■* ~— i , k , r;rr 



Do not apply liquid manure to plants if the soil is at all dry. Dry soil 

 should first be watered. 



Chemical fertilisers have a special utility in the vegetable garden, even 

 where the product is grown on a fair area and for market purposes. Used 

 in the small quantities required for such limited areas they are not a very 

 expensive item, and they can be conveniently applied according to require- 

 ments. Indeed, it is not advisable to apply the whole of such fertilisers at the 

 time of sowing or planting. A certain proportion (even half the quantity) 

 should be reserved and worked into the surface soil between the plants 

 •during cultivation at a later period in the crop's growth. 



Crops that must quickly make a large, amount of leaf growth, like lettuce, 

 cabbage, Ac,, respond readily to applications of nitrogenous manures in this 

 way. Sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda both supply nitrogen in a 

 form in which it readily dissolves in water, and which is thus quickly 

 available as a stimulant to plant growth. They may be used at the rate of 

 \ cwt. to 1 cwt. per acre, either as a top-dressing (though they should not 

 come into contact with the plant) or dissolved in water and applied as liquid 

 manure. 



Peas, beans and other leguminous plants do not need to be supplied with 

 nitrogen in the form of fertilisers, but phosphoric acid supplied in the form 

 -of superphosphate or of bonedust has a marked effect on plants of this class. 

 It is of particular use where a rapid return is looked for-r-as in the case of 

 spring-sown crops — and it is the manure most needed by practically all our 

 crops. Superphosphate at 2 to 3 cwt. per acre or bonedust at 4 cwt. per acre 

 {most suitable for summer use) may be mentioned as suitable quantities. 



Sulphate (or muriate) of potash can also be used to advantage as part of 

 a, " complete " fertiliser, though in this State they cannot be recommended 

 for use alone. 



Miscellaneous Crops. 



Sugar Cane. — Fertilisers are not extensively used by cane growers in this 

 State. Trials have been conducted by different farmers on their own account, 

 and it may be said that where the land is fertile and is being well farmed the 

 only utility of fertilisers is in connection with ratoon crops. Some farmers 

 favour bonedust with a little blood added, and others have had 'fairly satis- 

 factory results with complete fertilisers ; a few have been well pleased with 

 their experience with nitrate of soda. 



Cotton. — On medium soils a mixture of equal parts superphosphate and 

 bonedust should be applied at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre. On better class 

 land 1 cwt. per acre will be sufficient. 



