SOIL AND FERTILIZERS 19 



the surface encourages a surface growth of roots thai 

 are injured by drought and cultivation. 



The droppings from rabbits, Belgian hares and 

 guinea pigs have the same value as the expensive 

 sheep manure for which the florists charge so ex- 

 travagantly and as it is easily saved and composited 

 with dry earth, or simply dried by spreading out in 

 the open air for a short time, it will form a well- 

 worth considering source of garden fertility. Espe- 

 cially is it suited to the enriching of window boxes 

 and soil in pots. The waste water from the laundry 

 and kitchen is valuable for any part of the garden, 

 but seems especially acceptable to vines, which sel- 

 dom are surfeited with moisture or food. 



Wood ashes are very valuable in the garden, espe- 

 cially on a soil inclined to be wet, cold or sour. They 

 furnish valuable potash and improve the mechani- 

 cal condition of the soil; they should not, however, 

 be mixed with manure, but rather be used as a sup- 

 plementary addition, being applied after the ground 

 is plowed or spaded and harrowed or raked in. Ap- 

 plication should be made in spring rather than in 

 the fall, while barnyard manure, on the contrary may 

 be advantageously used in fall or early or late win- 

 ter, especially if new or not well decayed. 



Bone meal is another valuable fertilizer and has the 

 advantage of being always available. It does not, 

 however, add humus to the soil and this should, when 



