200 



SOILS AND MANURES 



especially when they are required to be " blanched," the 

 proportion of nitrogen should be much smaller than 

 for the stronger plants like cabbages. Excess of nitrogen 

 tends to produce strong colour and rankness of growth. 



IV. Phosphates and potash with small amount of 

 nitrogen. The proportion of nitrogen for melons, to- 

 matoes, etc., should be considerably larger than for 

 peas and beans. 



According to the experiments of the French gardeners, 

 mixed manures for the different groups should contain 

 about the following percentages of the different ingre- 

 dients, and should be applied at the rate of from two to 

 four ounces per square yard. 



PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OF MANURES FOR GARDEN CROPS. 



The proportion of potash in the manures for groups 

 II. and IV. seems excessive, especially when the quanti- 

 ties recommended to be used are considered. A great 

 deal, of course, depends upon the kind of soil, and there 

 is considerable difference of opinion on the subject. 



Strawberries are generally heavily dressed with farm- 

 yard manure at the time of planting, and if the plants 

 are renewed every three or four years there should be 

 no necessity for any addition. If, however, the soil is 

 poor or the plants are not frequently renewed some 

 additional manure may be advantageously applied every 

 year. Many gardeners dislike the use of stable manure 

 as a top dressing for strawberries ; it fills them with 



