INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 19 



very small quantities near the surface of the soil. New and 

 fresh organic manure ferments, and has the effect of lightening 

 the soil ; whilst well-decayed manures render it 

 Organic more compact. The manure of birds is richer and 

 Manures stronger than that of animals, and should be used 

 cautiously and sparingly, or well mixed with soil. 

 Guano and poultry manure are examples. The manure of 

 horses, pigs, etc., is hot, and suited to cold, heavy soils ; whilst 

 that of the cow and sheep is useful upon light, sandy soils. 

 Fresh manure, of whatever kind, is preferably mixed with the 

 lower strata of the garden ground, where it will decay and lose 

 its burning, acid properties, and afterwards prove most beneficial 

 when brought to the surface. Old, " spent " manure makes an 

 excellent top-dressing for all purposes. Fish manures are most 

 excellent, providing the valuable phosphate of lime needed by 

 so many vegetable crops ; whilst bones and blood are very 

 rich in fertilizing properties ; bone-meal is most permanent in 

 its effect upon the soil. 



I would advise beginners to use artificial manures in small 

 quantities and often. I remember giving an extra quantity of 

 nitrate of soda to some very backward plants. 

 Artificial A few days afterwards, however, the leaves turned 

 Manures a sickly hue, and it was with great difficulty that I 

 was able to save the plants from dying. I have 

 found that it is best to discover which two manures suit 

 any one particular crop, and then use each alternately. It is 

 a better way than treating the plants with any one particular 

 manure time after time. 



As I have indicated the special manures required by all the 

 classes of vegetables treated in this book, whilst discussing 

 cultural and managerial procedure, there is no 

 Mechanical necessity to enlarge upon the subject just here ; 

 Manuriai but I would like to emphasize the great value of 

 Agents lime in the vegetable-garden its sweetening, 



fertilizing, pulverizing properties are wonderful, 

 'o which must be added its deadly effect upon insects, weeds, 

 :ungi, all forms of decay or rot, disease, and sourness. Lime 

 n quantity should be placed upon the ground some time previous 

 to cropping, and dug in thoroughly ; its effect may be hardly 

 noticeable the first year, but there can be no mistake about 

 ts beneficial presence subsequently. Potatoes are the only 

 vegetables which are injured by the presence of lime. Gas- 

 ime must be applied to ground infested with insects or disease 



