FERTILIZERS 



supplied by the commercial fertilizers, and a 

 strong system of leaves and stems is established. 

 Natural manures contain all the elements of 

 plant-food and will develop strong, vigorous 

 plants and an abundant harvest. They are gen- 

 erally applied in a rotted or partially rotted con- 

 dition. Horse manures are used for hotbeds, 

 because of their heating qualities ; and cow 

 manure, mixed with soil, forms a good, rich 

 potting earth. Nitrogen stimulates the vegeta- 

 tive systems and produces rapid growth and 

 rich, dark foliage, while phosphoric acid pro- 

 duces well-developed plump seeds and fruits ; 

 potash increases bloom and intensifies color. 



Compost properly prepared is an important 

 adjunct to a garden. It is especially important 

 for window-boxes and roof -gar dens and for im- 

 proving the soil of school grounds. It is made 

 of sods, secured from a rich pasture or meadow, 

 and piled in alternate layers of sod and manure. 

 Organic waste matter from the garden may be 

 used, such as garden litter, trimmings and fallen 

 leaves. The compost heap must be turned sev- 

 eral times to insure complete rotting, and if 

 necessary thoroughly moistened with liquid 

 manure. 



Crops should be classified for purposes of 

 fertilization and cultivation according to their 

 period of growth. Trees and shrubs require a 



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