SOIL AND FERTILIZERS 305 



established shrubs; less should be distributed 

 for plants of weaker growth. 



Hen manure supplies fertilizing elements in 

 more concentrated form than the other barn- 

 yard products and, on this account, should be 

 applied cautiously. It is best used when mixed 

 with an equal quantity of loam or leaf-mold. 

 Sheep manure is also a strong fertilizer and, 

 while it is to be recommended, especially 

 as it can be had in pulverized form, it 

 is best applied as a liquid fertilizer. Make 

 the solution by suspending a bag containing 

 one pound in five gallons of water! When the 

 solution assumes the color of tea, apply it to 

 the beds or borders. 



Cow manure may be applied in the same 

 manner, using a bushel to fifty gallons of water. 

 Another fertilizer which is readily applied in 

 this manner is soot — soft coal soot. Soot 

 water is made by suspending a bag containing 

 one-half pint of soot in ten gallons of water. 

 Soot, however, is a valuable stimulant when ap- 

 plied directly to the soil. It imparts a glossy 

 dark green foliage and healthy vigor to many 

 plants and, in both the flower and vegetable 

 gardens, does much to banish pests such as 

 caterpillars and leaf-miners. 



