^decketti Seed Store 



. . . YOUR SOIL . . . 



THERE is probably no subject of general in- 

 terest to the public on which there is greater 

 lack of knowledge than the soil. Each season since 

 the days when stable fertilizer became scarce the 

 soil has become more impoverished and yet most 

 people seem to have faith that good seed or plants 

 placed in any kind of dirt will produce an abun- 

 dant harvest. 



A plant is a living, breathing, feeding, drinking, 

 organism and it will not flourish under adverse 

 conditions any more than a human being or other 

 animal will. The soil must be loose and workable, 

 well drained, it must contain plenty of humus 

 (decayed vegetable matter), it must contain the 

 necessary plant food elements (principally nitro- 

 gen, phosphorus, and potash), usually it should 

 be neutral or alkaline (not acid) in reaction, and 

 there should be sufficient moisture to supply the 

 requirements of the plants and to make the plant 

 food available. 



On a small plot these requirements, which may 

 sound intricate to anyone who is not experienced, 



are not difficult to obtain. The workability of the 

 soil is usually brought about by the same method 

 which adds humus to the soil. In other words a 

 soil which contains plenty of humus is usually in 

 very good physical condition. Humus is usually 

 added to small plots in the form of stable manure 

 or peat moss and to larger plots in the form of 

 stable manure or cover crops plowed under. But 

 in whatever form it is added, it should be remem- 

 bered that humus is one of the essentials of good 

 soil. In fact without humus there is no soil — what 

 is usually so called is common dirt. If plenty of 

 humus is present and other conditions are right 

 most any complete fertilizer will usually produce 

 results. An acid condition is easily corrected by 

 the use of lime, but lime should only be used 

 when a soil test proves that it is needed. Nature 

 will usually supply enough moisture if there is 

 sufficient humus in the soil to hold it, otherwise it 

 must be supplied artificially. Drainage, too, is or- 

 dinarily taken care of naturally, but it should be 

 remembered that a waterlogged soil will not pro- 

 duce satisfactory results. 



BECKERT'S EVERGREEN LAWN-SEED 



We offer in our Evergreen Mixture a well-balanced blend 

 of the finest and most enduring grasses we know — the result 

 of years of study and trial. It is our masterpiece. Tested 

 and proved, we can recommend it with the highest con- 

 fidence for permanent and satisfactory results under even 

 the most trying conditions. Its ingredients are the highest 

 grade of recleaned seeds only. This lawn seed is now sold 

 only by weight. Use one pound to 250 square feet, 100 

 pounds to the acre. % lb. 25 cts., 1 lb. 40 cts., 2 lbs. 75 cts., 

 5 lbs. $1.75, 10 lbs. $3.00, 25 lbs. $7.00, 100 lbs. $25.00. 



SHADY-NOOK LAWN MIXTURE 



A mixture of grasses particularly adapted for sowing in 

 shady places where the ordinary lawn grasses do not thrive. 

 It will produce a bright-green lawn under trees and in the 

 shade of buildings and shrubbery where bare, unsightly 

 spots so often appear. 1 lb. 50 cts., 2 lbs. 90 cts., 5 lbs. $2.00, 

 10 lbs. $3.75, 25 lbs. $8.50, 100 lbs. $32.00. 



BECKERT'S CHOICE LAWN MIXTURE 



This is a very good Lawn Mixture composed of recleaned 

 grasses that will produce a rich green turf of lasting 

 quality. Use one pound to 250 square feet. 1 lb. 35 cts., 2 lbs. 

 65 cts., 5 lbs. $1.50, 10 lbs. $2.50, 25 lbs. $5.75, 100 lbs. $20.00. 



PUTTING-GREEN MIXTURE 



The finest, hardy, low-growing grasses are contained in 

 this mixture, which will produce a close and lasting putting- 

 green turf. 1 lb. 70 cts., 2 lbs. $1.30, 5 lbs. $3.00, 10 lbs. 

 $5.75, 25 lbs. $13.50, 100 lbs. $50.00. 



FAIR-GREEN MIXTURE 



The best selection of grasses for an even, tough, perma- 

 nent turf. Gives general satisfaction but, where a lot of 

 seeding is to be done, we prefer to supply a special formula, 

 according to the particular requirements of the soil. 1 lb. 

 35 cts., 2 lbs. 65 cts., 5 lbs. $1.50, 10 lbs. $2.75, 25 lbs. $6.25, 

 100 lbs. $22.50. 



Note — All lawn seed prices are subject to change. For 

 other grasses, see page 34. 



4 



