A living mulch of weeping lovegrass is 
used in badly eroded areas of the South 
to give stability until young planted pine 
trees become large enough to occupy the 
site and deposit a protecting layer of pine 
needles. 
F—504106 
Improving Soil Fertility and Correcting Toxic Conditions 
Correcting soil or toxicity problems often requires laboratory 
analysis of soil samples. This will determine which nutrients are 
deficient and how much of each must be applied to meet minimum 
requirements for plant growth. If a cover of herbaceous vegetation 
is to be established, fertilizer can be broadcast at the time of seeding, 
but not until the major site preparation has been completed. Green 
manure crops, barnyard manure, or other organic fertilizers should 
be worked into the soil during site preparation. With trees and 
shrubs, organic fertilizers can be placed in the planting holes, but 
mineral fertilizers must be placed at a depth below the initial root 
area to avoid direct contact and damage to the root system. 
Where soils contain strong toxic elements such as alkali salts, 
acids, and certain mineral compounds derived from aluminum, iron, 
manganese, etc., the toxicity must be corrected before attempting to 
establish vegetation. For acid soils, heavy applications of lime or 
other basic compounds are required. Alkali salts can best be 
reduced by installing subsurface drains and applying heavy amounts 
of water to leach the salt through the soil. Other toxic elements 
also require special treatments. 
771-134 O—#5—_4 
Steep fill slopes on roads require special care to assure their stability. This 
slope has been trenched or furrowed on the contour, a mulch of straw applied 
immediately after seeding to grass, and then covered with a netting of heavy 
jute, held in place by wooden stakes. 
& * 
ay 
F—503755 
33 
