64 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



Decayed chips, sawdust, shavings, etc., are best applied 

 to Irish potatoes, as directed in the case of tan-bark. 

 They should be covered with soil to promote a more 

 speedy decay. They have much the nature of tan-bark 

 without its acidity, and may be likewise, when somewhat 

 decayed, composted with stable manure and used as peat. 

 All these substances are valuable for burning clay or for 

 charring, and afterwards incorporating them with urine, 

 night soil, or superphosphate of lime. In the case of tan- 

 bark, this is undoubtedly the safest and most profitable 

 way to use it. 



Green Manures are various crops, raised to turn into 

 the ground in a fresh state for fertilizing it. For this pur- 

 pose all the weeds of the garden should be employed 

 while green. Over any vacant spots in the garden not 

 wished to be used in autumn, rye or barley can be sown, 

 which will keep the soil from washing, and when large 

 enough may be either cut for feed, or turned into the soil 

 as the plots are wanted for use. Spinach should be sown 

 in considerable quantities, as it grows all winter, and, 

 spaded into the soil in spring, adds a good deal to its fer- 

 tility. The seed can be saved in any quantity with little 

 trouble. 



But the most fertilizing plants for this purpose are 

 leguminous plants, like the Cowpea, as they draw nour- 

 ishment largely from the atmosphere, and afford a great 

 amount of foliage for turning under as manure. This 

 class of plants is also quite rich in ammonia. 



Animal Manures. — This is the most important class, 

 and the greatest attention should be paid to collecting, 

 preserving, and economizing them. All animal manures, 

 when compared with the preceding class, are more rich in 

 nitrogen, and more easily decomposed and rendered 

 soluble; but though the effect of this class of substances 

 is much more obvious, it is not so lasting. 



