FERTILIZERS 45 



best and most economical fertilizer for his soil, set- 

 ting aside five to ten plots of i to 4 square rods each 

 and apply nitrate of soda, muriate of potash, wood, 

 ashes, and phosphate alone and in different combina- 

 tions. The results will suggest the combination which 

 he can use to best advantage. In the majority of 

 cases, however, where the soil is reasonably rich, ex- 

 penditures for putting the ground in the best possible 

 state of tilth will give larger returns than those for 

 manures in excess of that which the land has usually 

 received in the regular rotation for ordinary farm 

 crops. 



For the home garden. — Usually a dressing of wood 

 ashes up to a rate of i bushel to the square rod, well 

 worked into the soil before the plants are set, and oc- 

 casionally watering with liquid manure, will generally 

 give the best returns of any special fertilization, it 

 being assumed that the garden has been well enriched 

 with stable manure. 



Tomatoes under glass, — Some growers recommend 

 frequent waterings with liquid manure ; others a sur- 

 face dressing of sheep manure ; still others a mulch of 

 moderately well decayed stable manure. Plants grow- 

 ing under glass, particularly in pots or boxes, seem 

 to be benefitted by so heavy a dressing that if applied 

 to plants growing outside it would be likely to give 

 excessive growth of vine with but little fruit. 



