4 HOME FLORICULTURE 



the use of barnyard fertilizers is almost sure to 

 introduce worms which cannot be got rid of easily. 



The use of any fertilizer must be attended with 

 caution. An overdose of food often kills a plant. 

 A plant in too rich a soil gets a sort of vegetable 

 dyspepsia, because it is unable to digest properly the 

 strong food given it, and the result of its continued 

 use brings on a debilitated condition from which death 

 ultimately ensues. It is a safe plan to have the soil 

 of only moderate richness, and supply stronger food 

 from time to time, as the plant indicates a need for 

 it. In this way we grow our best plants. Their 

 development can be made steady and healthful under 

 such conditions, while too rich a soil forces a rapid, 

 •veak growth which is sure to give us unhealthy plants. 



Many cannot understand why it is necessary to 

 add sand to the soil for pot plants. The reason for 

 using it is this : The soil in a pot is quite likely to 

 become heavy from repeated waterings. In a heavy, 

 compact soil the roots do not have a good chance to 

 grow. The air which they require is not admitted 

 readily. If sand is mixed with the other portions 

 of the compost, it makes it light, friable and porous. 

 It allows the water to run through readily, and where 

 the water can move in this way the air can find its 

 way in. If you use good, sharp sand in your potting 

 soil you will seldom find it becoming sour, if drainage 

 is provided. If you do not use it, you will often find 

 it soggy and sticky, and in most cases where it is 

 discovered to be in this condition you will see that the 

 plant in it is not growing well. Examine the roots 

 and you will be pretty sure to find that many of the 

 young and delicate ones are decaying. When this 

 takes place, disease is pretty sure to follow rapidly. 

 More plants are lost from neglect in preparing a light 

 and porous soil than from any one other cause, I 



