1 8 HOW TO MAKE SCHOOL GARDENS 



use a farm manure, on account of the 

 physical help to the soil in aiding it to 

 retain moisture. An application of ten 

 cords to the acre will cover the land 

 one-fourth of an inch. This is a fair 

 application, although market gardeners 

 often use more than double that amount. 

 A little additional commercial fertilizer 

 in the row will be helpful on the start. 

 Sandy soils are most likely to be deficient 

 in nitrates, as the latter are soluble and 

 are washed through such soils. On heavy 

 soils also farm manures tend to lighten 

 them. The use of lime on such soils 

 (those which crack upon drying) increases 

 the growth and healthfulness of plants by 

 improving the physical condition of the 

 soil and sets free unavailable plant food. 

 Wood-ashes also aid in this, besides 

 supplying the potash. The lime should 

 be used fine, from five to ten barrels per 

 acre. For light, spongy soils, high-grade 

 commercial fertilizers are as good as any. 

 If the crop to be grown is an early matur- 

 ing one, commercial fertilizers are best, 



