FOOD FOR PLANTS 69 



The use of rotted stable manure as a source of 

 greenhouse plant food has been the custom for many 

 years. Manure, however, supplies its plant food very 

 irregularly and the Nitrogen which it contains is not 

 available, hence for forcing plants it cannot be fully 

 relied upon. It should be supplemented by the use of 

 commercial fertilizers such as Nitrate of Soda and 

 acid phosphate. 



For Plants in Pots. 



Water once every four days, during early active 

 growth, with a solution of one-half an ounce of Ni- 

 trate of Soda to one gallon of water — avoid wetting 

 the foliage. This will produce dark green color in 

 the leaves, which, when obtained, indicates that for 

 this most important period, a sufficient amount of 

 Nitrate of Soda has been used. Do not put dry 

 Nitrate on wet foliage. 



For young fruit trees in the nursery, from one- 

 quarter to one pound of Nitrate of Soda per acre may 

 be used, according to age. It is important in this 

 case that the fertilizer should be thoroughly worked 

 into the soil. 



LAWNS AND GOLF LINKS. 



Good lawns are simply a matter of care and 

 rational treatment. If the soil is very light, top-dress 

 liberally with clay and work into the sand. In all 

 cases the soil must be thoroughly fined and made 

 smooth, as the seed, being very small, requires a fine 

 seed bed. In the South, seed to Bermuda grass or 

 Kentucky blue grass; in the North, the latter is also 

 a good lawn grass, but perhaps a little less desirable 



