180 VEGETABLE GROWING. 



use too much nitrogen. Mr. J. J. H. Gregory, who is 

 the best authority on squash raising in this country, 

 applies an amount of manure that seems very large 

 indeed, but at the close of his discussion on fertilizers, 

 he makes this pointed statement : u Catch a farmer of 

 that class (one who fertilizes heavily) going back- 

 wards and putting less and less manure on his ground, 

 what a phenomenon he would be. No ; the progress 

 of all enterpiisiug farmers is in one direction. By 

 extra manuring, the possibilities of receiving extra 

 paying returns are far greater in agricultural than in 

 commercial life, as figures will readily show, though 

 the popular belief is directly the contrary." 



Of all the plants that we have discussed, these can 

 best stand top-dressing in fertilizing, and are best 

 adapted to hill fertilization. A plan that has long 

 been followed, is to dig a circle about two feet in 

 diameter and about a foot deep, then fill in a lot of 

 fertilizer with the earth taken out ; this will make a 

 mole-hill shaped mound when finished. The seeds are 

 then planted on top. This involves a great deal of 

 unnecessary work with no advantage. A better way 

 is to make the hills where wanted, fertilize this heavily 

 and mix well with the soil, but do not stir more than 

 six or eight inches deep, as the roots are surface-feed- 

 ers and should not be coaxed into the soil. The second 

 application should be made when the vines begin to 

 run, and must be placed some distance from the hill. 



FERTILIZER FORMULA. 



Nitrogen. 4 per cent. 



Potash ..8 per cent. 



Available phosphoric acid 6 per cent. 



Use 1000 to 1500 pounds of the above formula 

 to the acre. If nitrate of soda is used to supply the 

 nitrogen, several applications will have to be given. 



