22 GARDEN STEPS 



fertilizer, and rich in potash, for the second 

 group. 



In buying fertiUzer, go to a rehable house fa- 

 miliar with the needs of farmers and buy high 

 grade material always. By saving a few cents on 

 the purchase price, much is lost in the crop. The 

 complete fertilizer will be satisfactory for general 

 work ; but if a large crop of one vegetable is planned, 

 study its needs a bit, and buy from your dealer some- 

 thing which he recommends for that particular 

 plant. 



Animal Dkessing 



Dairy and Stable Dressing. — The term dairy 

 dressing in this book will refer to manure chiefly 

 from cows. Stable dressing will mean dressing mostly 

 from horses and will include the bedding used in 

 the stables. Dairy dressing is by far the most 

 important fertilizer for the amateur gardener in 

 most parts of the country. It not only contains 

 the four essential constituents noted, but greatly 

 increases the ability of the soil about it to hold water 

 near the roots of the growing plants. There is 

 little danger of using too much, and hardly any other 

 fertiUzer is needed if this can be obtained, with the 

 exception of an occasional application of lime. 



Other Manures. — Stable dressing is also valuable, 

 but must be used with more care than dairy dress- 

 ing. It is known as " hot manure," as it will heat 



