FERTILIZERS 



253 



Miscellaneous 



There are some other manures on the market that are handled 

 more especially by seedsmen and others who supply greenhouse men. 

 These are the dried cattle, hog and sheep manures that are collected in 

 cattle pens and cars. They are quite valuable in promoting plant growth 

 and may be used at the rate of half a pound to the square yard. The 

 rates of application given here are moderate and safe. Commercial 

 fertilizers should always be carefully weighed and not guessed at, not only 

 for the sake of economy but for the fact that some of the highly concen- 

 trated kinds may do more harm than good if applied injudiciously. 

 When applying as a top dressing avoid spilling the fertilizers on the 

 leaves of the plants. 



Humus as a Fertilizer 



Humus is the name given by gardeners to decomposing vegetable 

 matter. In many ways it is like dung. This matter may comprise 

 lawn mowings, leaves from deciduous trees, and all the odds and ends 

 of vegetative growth that one cleans up or gets from the garden. Too 

 often this material is bundled out of sight or pitched away as useless. 

 It is a gold mine. Have a place for it and accumulate all you can. Turn 

 it over once or twice to facilitate rotting. Every Spring, spread it on 

 the soil and dig it in or keep it in reserve for particular purposes. If the 

 humus heap has had lime applied, it will be still better. Whatever has 

 not been thoroughly decomposed can be held back. Humus darkens 

 soil and dark soil absorbs the warmth of the sun. Humus holds 

 moisture, therefore is liked by the roots. It opens up a stiff soil and 

 aerates it. Moreover it furnishes an essential medium for the bacteria 

 that teem in all fertile soils and which manufacture food for the use of 

 the plants. It is invaluable, and many derelict soils could be made 

 to yield crops if humus and dung were applied. It is especially val- 

 able on sandy soils. 



WHERE AND HOW TO USE FERTILIZERS 



The animal manures from the stable, those from the horse, cow and 

 pig, can be spread on the land and plowed under for the coarser feeding 

 crops, such as Cabbage, Corn, Melons, Squash, etc. Ten or twelve 

 pounds to each square yard would be a fair dressing of these manures. 

 Stable manure should never be put directly on land upon which Pars- 

 nips, Carrots or Salsify are to be planted. It will invariably induce 



