HOW HUMOGEN IS APPLIED 173 



time of digging, the same quantity may be top- 

 dressed and harrowed in at a later date when the 

 plants are in the soil. In that case the results would 

 be less certain for many reasons, an important one 

 being that the comparative dryness of the soil may 

 interfere with the proper growth of the bacteria. 

 In any case it should be borne in mind that it is 

 essential that the humogen should be got well into 

 the ground. Another practical point of great im- 

 portance is that the humogen and the lime must not 

 be applied together. After lime has been applied, at 

 least six weeks must elapse before the application of 

 the humogen, and the longer the intervening period 

 the better. Failing that, the soluble humates in the 

 humogen may be changed into insoluble Calcium 

 humate, which is not immediately available as a 

 plant or bacterial food, and there is a considerable 

 waste of nitrogenous food liberated in the form of 

 Ammonia. 



The method of application described above is that 

 recommended generally for kitchen gardens, market 

 gardens, and orchards. 



When it is desired to apply humogen to herbaceous 

 flower borders, to roses or sweet peas, the humogen 

 should be worked into the soil as described above 

 either in February or March. Eight or twelve ounces 

 should be applied to the square yard, because such 

 gross feeders will repay for the extra manuring and 

 throw a constant succession of blooms. Fruit 

 borders, with espaliers, cordons, vines, peaches, 

 nectarines, strawberries, etc., require the same 

 treatment as the above; but if the plants are being 



