30 GINSENG. 



results. Well rotted horse manure is also used by some growers 

 where leafmold can not be had, with apparently good results. 



Bone meal, or ground bone, consisting of the kind that is 

 made from the pure, raw, animal bone ground into flour or meal, 

 is also used by some growers. Raw bone meal is a fertilizer that 

 is very lasting in its effects and is said to have been found well 

 adapted to the ginseng plant. There is bone meal made from 

 steamed bones and that made from raw bones. The latter is being 

 prefei'red. Carolina rock, another form of phosphate fertilizer, is 

 not recommended as a ginseng fertilizer. 



The cost of raw bone meal is aljout $1.50 per 100 pounds 

 and can be bought from all large fertilizing establishments. It 

 may be worked into the ground when preparing it or applied on 

 top of the beds as a top dressing. 



One grower of good authority writes as follows: "We are 

 still strongly inclined to bone meal. This may be used frequently, 

 as it will not burn the plants, should an overdose be given. We 

 use about four quarts to the square rod (16ixl6i ft.) and apply 

 twice a year." 



The rich black prairie soils of the middle West, which are 

 chiefly composed of decomposed vegetable matter are naturally 

 well adapted for growing ginseng, without adding fertilizer of any 

 kind. 



MAKING BEDS. 



It is for various reasons well to lay the garden into beds. 

 The most convenient width is from three to four feet (Fig. 5 and 6), 

 wider beds are difiicult to weed. Between the beds should be 

 paths at least one foot wide. The length of the beds is immaterial, 

 except in a large garden, sixty feet is a convenient length, with 

 cross aisles of from 2i to 3 feet wide at each end, to allow the use 

 of carts or wheelbarrows. 



