Manures for the Garden. — 41 



or to second and succeeding crops planted between rows of 

 vegetables still standing. 



This question has still another aspect. Market gardeners 

 obtain the bulk of their manure supply from city stables, and the 

 demand for the article has raised its price to a figure forcing the 

 shrewd gardener to consider whether he can afford to use the 

 article or not. Here we have a case where supply is not influenced 

 by demand. Nearly the same quantity of manure would be pro- 

 duced in cities whether it is disposed of at $2.00, or at 10 cents 

 a load, or whether the owner were compelled to pay some one 

 ;^i.OOaload to take it off the premises. The competition of 

 buyers makes the article too high-priced for their own welfare. 

 Use more fertilizers, and less manure from the city stables, and 

 let the decreased demand force down the excessive prices. 



Even distribution over the area to be enriched is the chief 

 point of importance in the application of all concentrated 

 manures. This can be attained in no easier and more perfect 

 way than by the use of a good fertilizer drill, such as for instance 

 is attached to the Empire grain drill. The box holds about one 

 bag (200 lbs.) of fertilizer. Place the bags at convenient dis- 

 tances, scatteringly, over the area to be fertilized, fill the recep- 

 tacle of the drill, and commence operations, refilling as needed. 

 In heavy applications it may be necessary to go over the area 

 repeatedly, and preferably in different directions, either crosswise 

 or diagonally across the preceding application. If such a drill is 

 not at hand, as Very likely the case with the market gardener, the 

 stuff may be sown after plowing, and a thorough harrowing be 

 given afterwards. In sowing a ton to an acre, which is a pretty 

 heavy application, the operator will have to make close bouts, 

 scatter with full hand, and then probably be compelled to repeat 

 the operation crosswise of the first sowing, in order to put on the 

 full quantity. 



For convenience in sowing by hand it is always advisable to 

 moisten the fertilizer before it is applied. Empty a bagful on a 

 tight barn floor, or in a tight wagon box, spread the fertilizer out 

 in an even layer, then sprinkle water over it ; next put on another 

 layer of fertilizer, apply water as before, and finally shovel the 

 whole mass over until it is thoroughly mixed, and uniformly 

 damp. It can then be sowed without filling the air around the 

 party whose hands scatter it, with the disagreeable dust. 



There is no reason to fear ill results from " too much " fer- 

 tilizer, provided it is evenly distributed or thoroughly mixed 

 through the soil. Stinginess in this item is poor economy. 



