62 VEGETABLE FORCING 
been especially beneficial to the physical condition of the 
soil.” As a whole, plot 5, which received no cut hay or 
straw but the same chemicals as No. 3, did not produce as 
high yields as the other plots. This experiment seems 
to indicate that any kind of organic matter of proper tex- 
ture improves the physical properties of greenhouse soils, 
but growers should not conclude that it would be a safe 
practice to abandon the use of stable manure and sub- 
stitute chemicals and cut hay or cut straw, although it is 
possible that this could actually be done. The straw was 
used at the rate of about 10 tons to the acre. 
Horse manure.—Of the various stable manures, horse 
manure is used the most extensively in the forcing of 
vegetables. It is sometimes purchased at the livery 
stables in the large cities for 50 cents a two-horse load. A 
dollar a ton is a common price in the smaller towns and 
cities. Horse manure is drier and looser in texture than 
cow manure, and it is also quicker in action and more 
convenient to fork, especially when used as a mulch for 
tomatoes and cucumbers. Fresh horse manure contains 
an average of 0.59 per cent of nitrogen, 0.26 per cent of 
phosphoric acid and 0.48 per cent of potash. See page 423. 
for the value of horse manure from mushroom beds. 
Cow manure is.valued by some greenhouse vegetable 
growers. It is slow in action, and the fresh manure may 
be applied nearer the time of planting than is desirable 
with fresh horse manure. Cattle manure of fine texture 
may be bought from city stockyards. Sometimes it is 
dried and pulverized, and then shipped in bags. This 
special product is convenient to use, but the high cost 
prohibits its use in large commercial establishments. 
Fresh cow manure contains about 0.42 per cent of 
nitrogen, 0.29 per cent of phosphoric acid and 0.44 per 
cent of potash. 
Sheep manure has long been popular for use in flori- 
culture, and it also finds some sale among greenhouse 
