PRACTICAL GARDENING 



doing any harm. Wood ashes, with a little 

 Paris green mixed into them, may be dusted 

 on cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins to pre- 

 vent the striped beetle and at the same time 

 enrich the soil. 



Kainit is sometimes used freely on root 

 crops and asparagus. 



Lime is not a fertilizer but it is important 

 in the growth of vegetables since it is better 

 for all vegetables to have the soil slightly alka- 

 line rather than acid. Lime favors the growth 

 of micro-organisms which are beneficial. It 

 changes the physical condition of the soil, 

 makes certain types of plant food available and 

 promotes the decomposition of vegetable mat- 

 ter. A little lime each year, applied in the 

 early spring, will benefit especially soils of a 

 clay formation. Sand is also benefited by the 

 use of lime, which has a tendency to hold the 

 loose particles together, and in this way the 

 sand retains more moisture. From fifteen to 

 thirty-five Ibs. per square rod will sweeten a 

 sour or acid soil and aid it to be productive. 



34 



