FERTILIZERS 39 



If cow manure or other fertilizer has been mixed 

 with the soil in which your plants are growing, no 

 other fertilizer will be needed until the plants have 

 nearly exhausted the nutritive elements in the soil. 

 When the leaves of a growing plant become smaller 

 and smaller, as they are produced, and it loses its 

 vigor in the development of stalk and branch, it is 

 safe to conclude that more food is needed. The use 

 of fertilizers makes it unnecessary to repot plants 

 oftener than once a year. Indeed, by using them 

 judiciously, plants can be kept in the same soil, for a 

 much longer period, in perfect health, as good fer- 

 tilizers furnish the elements of plant growth in a 

 condensed form and in such a manner as to be readily 

 assimilated by all plants. Plants about to come into 

 bloom will be greatly benefited by the application of 

 a reliable fertilizer. It will increase the size of the 

 flowers and intensify their richness of color. 



Ammonia is frequently advised as a fertilizer. 

 Those who advise its use do not understand the 

 difference between a stimulant and an application 

 containing the elements of plant growth. These will 

 be found in all reliable fertilizers, but ammonia simply 

 stimulates a plant to greater activity, temporarily, with- 

 out furnishing any real food. 



Bone meal is good, because it is rich in nutritive 

 qualities. It can be mixed with the soil about the 

 roots of plants. A teaspoonful once a month to a 

 seven or eight-inch pot will be sufficient. It can be 

 used on larger or smaller pots in a similar proportion. 

 If an immediate effect is desired, get very fine bone 

 meal, or bone dust, instead of the ordinary bone meal 

 sold at agricultural stores. 



