15 



drains of any kind will find it for his interest to consult some 

 one of the valuable works on that subject before any expense 

 is incurred, thereby avoiding many mistakes and much unneces- 

 sary labor. 



A plot well drained with tile is not only comparatively safe 

 from sudden floods in summer and fall, but will be in condi- 

 tion to work much earlier in the spring a matter of no small 

 importance when new plantations are to be made. 



MANURE AND FERTILIZERS. 



The kind and quantity of manure required will depend some- 

 what upon the character and condition of the soil. For light, 

 sandy land, a compost of one third peat or muck containing a 

 large per cent, of vegetable matter, one third clay or strong- 

 clay loam, and one third stable manure, will make a valuable 

 compost for any of the small fruits. Ground bone mixed with 

 unleashed wood ashes one part bone and two parts ashes 

 dampened with water at the time of mixing, and allowed to heat 

 for a few days, will make one of the best fertilizers for work- 

 ing into the soil at the time of cultivation. The mixture should 

 be shovelled over on the stable floor once or twice, and more 

 water and a little gypsum added to check too high a degree of 

 heat. 



Some contend that old manure is indispensable. This has not 

 been my experience. A Kemp manure spreader will fine any 

 manure, and give it an even distribution. If spread by hand, a 

 disk harrow will cut and cover it in a satisfactory manner. 

 Fine old manure will act at once, and, for top dressing old 

 beds as it can be more evenly spread is much to be preferred. 

 Coarse manure in rotting down will shrink one half in bulk, and 

 in its fine condition we usually apply twice as much of it, and 

 this, in connection with the fact that it is more soluble, gives it 

 a deservedly high reputation. But no one expects a crop of 

 fruit till a year, at least, from the time of setting the plants, by 

 which time, and long before, green manure will have become 

 decayed and available. 



Liquid manure will produce immediate and wonderful results, 

 but, unfortunately, few have the facilities for applying it. When 

 used it should always be in a dilute form, as otherwise it will 



