GARDEN OPERATIONS 19 



sweetens sour soils and it increases the number of bacteria. There are 

 few gardens which have been cultivated for a period of years thai 

 would not benefit by an application of lime every three or four years. 



Nitrogen Fertilizers. Animal manures contain nitrogen and 

 are generally beneficial to soils. Well decayed manure is usually ad- 

 vised because plant roots are frequently injured by contact with fresh 

 manure. Manure used as a Winter mulch may be worked into the soil 

 in the Spring, or manure may be placed in water and the manure water 

 may be applied to the plants. 



Nitrate of soda, ammonium sulphate and such nitrate fertilizers 

 are strong drugs for plants. They add nothing to the physical condi- 

 tion of the soil but do supply a large quantity of nitrogen. Nitrogen 

 causes growth and larger flowers. These chemical fertilizers are dis- 

 solved in water and appHed to plants while they are growing. Too 

 much nitrogen causes excessive growth, delayed flowering and weak- 

 stemmed plants. These chemical nitrogen fertilizers may be applied 

 at the rate of one teaspoon to a gallon of water to make plants greener, 

 more rapid in growth and to increase the size of the flowers; used for 

 this purpose when the plants come into bud. Do not apply too strong 

 nor get the solution upon the leaves of the plants. Remember that it 

 is a drug and should be used accordingly. 



BoNEMEAL. Bonemeal is one of the best general fertilizers for 

 flowers because it contains not only nitrogen but phosphorus. It is 

 useful for aU sorts of flowers and may be scattered over the soil so that 

 it is white. Cultivate this into the soil and the value of this fertilizer 

 will last through the season. There is no danger in applying too much. 



Wood Ashes. The third great element, potash, is found in abun- 

 dance in unleached wood ashes. Most sofls contain quite enough 

 potash, but if one has some wood ashes it may be used with benefit 

 about the flower garden. A light covering of the soil, hoed in, will 

 be sufficient. 



CULTIVATION 



Perennials usually pay us for care by producing larger blooms 

 borne more continuously throughout the season. Few plants do well 

 in soil which is aUowed to bake in a stifl" crust at the surface of the soil. 

 It is weU to cultivate them with a hoe or smaU tool in such a way that 

 a loose layer of soil surrounds each plant. Air enters the soil, the 

 roots strike more deeply, the weeds are kept in check and less water 

 need be appfied to the plants when there is, what the gardener caUs, a 

 dust mulch about the plants. 



In fieu of cultivation a mulch of manure or lawn clippings may be 

 placed around the plants. 



