THE FOOD OF VEGETABLES. 



27 



meal were also applied. The effect was magical, and the crops 

 of Potatoes and Peas, where they would not grow before, were 

 remarkable. Why were potash and phosphates so much needed ? 

 Because there were none in the cowyard manure. The phos- 

 phates were drawn away with the milk. Manure from milch 

 cows, especially if largely fed on grass and roots, is greatly over- 

 estimated. There is little good in it to feed crops. It may 

 make them grow, but the growth is comparatively worthless. 

 Proof of this can be found in any cow pasture where the 

 manure is not spread. The grass grows freely enough, but the 

 animals refuse to eat it, and eventually tussocks form and pas- 

 tures are spoiled. Manure from full-grown well-fed bullocks is 

 very different, for it is rich in phosphates and other nutritive or 

 manurial properties. It is well, then, as I said before, to dis- 

 criminate. 



If weak manure is supplied to the garden, and I have often 

 had it so weak that it would not ferment when moist, mix 

 half a peck or more of good guano in a load. The mass will 

 soon heat then, and eventually its value for the land will be a 

 good deal more than doubled. Instead of conflict between 

 natural and artificial manures we then have combination, and 

 the union is a happy one for whatever crops are fed with the 

 preparation. 



But how should we feed ? By placing what is good for 

 plants within immediate reach of the roots at the moment of 

 their formation. I do not say have the soil poor below ; on the 

 contrary, have it as rich as the crops need ; but do not, as 

 many do, forget the surface ; also remember that young 

 plants like quick-acting nitrogenous rather than slower mineral 

 food. The advantage of a good, free start in growth cannot 

 be over-valued, and the start is often slow and weak in strong 

 land, and always so in poor soils. Collect decayed leaves 

 or other vegetable matter, wood ashes, light soil of any kind, 

 with a dash of soot, and mix well. When moist, and only then, 

 pour on liquid manure, such as drainings from heaps, or, what 

 is very good, half an ounce of sulphate of ammonia to a gallon of 

 water. A few weeks later, when the time of sowing comes, draw 

 deep drills, fill with this mixture, which should then be nearly 

 dry, and in it sow the seed. That is food for infant plants, 

 and they thrive on it. This little attention at the outset may 



