b'Z GARDENING FOE THE SOUTH. 



of cultivation. It is important, then, that the three chemi- 

 cals — phosphoric acid, potash and nitrogen — should be 

 returned to the land each year in quantities sufficient for 

 and in condition suitable to the immediate demands of 

 the growing plant. 



The nutritive manures mentioned in the second group 

 are contributors directly to the demands of the plant, but 

 barnyard manure is probably the most efficient fertilizer 

 for restoring the soil to a normal condition than is to be 

 secured from any of the so-called commercial fertilizers. 

 It not only contains the elements required for plant food, 

 but it also has the property of rendering available the 

 stored-up ingredients and greatly improving the condi- 

 tion of the soil for absorbing moisture. Barnyard manure, 

 however, is variable in its value, depending upon the 

 character of food fed to the animals, the condition of 

 animals — whether young and growing or old and feeble, 

 fattening or in normal condition, the proportion of litter 

 placed in the stalls, and the care with which the manure 

 is kept. If fermentation has taken place, and the manure 

 has been permitted to weather, so that leaching may 

 result, of course the soluble constituents will be lost, 

 and the fertilizer will be greatly depreciated in value. 



" When practicable, it is best to apply manure in the 

 fresh condition. The disposition to be made of the 

 manure of the farm (both fermented and unfermented) 

 must be determined largely by the nature of the crop 

 and soil. Where improvement of the mechanical condi- 

 tion of the soil is the principal object sought, fresh 

 manure is best adapted for this purpose to heavy soils, 

 and well-rotted manure to light soils. Where prompt 

 action of the fertilizing constituents is desired, the best 

 results will probably be obtained by applying fresh 

 manure to the light soil, although excessive applications 

 in this case should be avoided on account of the danger 



