perennial Centaureas, Wall-flowers, Snap-dragons and perennial 
Gaillardias were labelled "Lime Eaters" many a garden could 
grow these better than Geraniums. Never should lime be given 
to Rhododendrons; they crave a dose of epsom salts — a good 
handful or about 4 oz. to each plant early in the spring, again 
when the flower buds swell, and also in early August. There 
are many excellent commercial fertilizers that are easy to apply 
but one must not forget that the texture of the soil is better Fertilizer 
obtained through the various animal manures. Stable manure 
holds moisture, breaks up the soil and is gradually absorbed 
into it. 
Cow manure has the same effect and is preferred for plants 
that make a quick soft growth. 
Pig manure is classed as bulk and is usually used with other 
manures. It is heavy and greasy, but makes a wonderful bed. 
Sheep manure is very concentrated and is of no benefit to 
a sandy soil as it does not hold moisture. It is, on the other 
hand, invaluable for wet soil and is a wonderful tonic for special 
crops. 
Pure hen manure will burn, but mixed with ashes, sand or 
dirt, it contains an enormous amount of easily available plant 
food. For general purposes, the best fertilizer is a mixture of 
all kinds. 
There are four ways of starting seeds : 1. In the house in Starting 
flats or little cold-frames that are sold by any seedsman to be Seeds 
put in a sunny window. 2. In a cold-frame. 3. In a green- 
house. 4. In a hot-bed. The difference between a hot-bed and 
a cold-frame is, of course, that the former is heated artificially 
and as the heat dies out the hot-bed automatically becomes a 
cold-frame. Make a selection of the seeds to be started early, 
but unless you have a frame or a place to prick out seedlings, 
do not be in too great haste, for the little plants will get leggy 
or "damp off." There is little to be gained by sowing in 
advance seeds that germinate quickly out of doors. I refer to 
such things as Celosias, Calendulas, Marigolds and Asters. Even 
when potted they get leggy or are so bound that they never 
develop fully when set in place. 
The soil for seeding purposes must be of good texture — loose Seed 
and friable. A good formula for a seed-sowing soil is equal Sowing 
parts leaf mold, sand and soil from the garden, screening each 
separately through one-fourth inch mesh screen. Then mix 
thoroughly by turning several times. Completely fill your seed 
box with this soil and when it is firmed by pressure it will give 
the proper depth below the sides of the box. Lack of proper 
firming will result in failure, as a box left loose and spongy 
will not drain properly, and, on the other hand, if too firm or 
hard the soil will bake. The proper consistency is when a 
pencil point forced into the soil and withdrawn will leave a 
217 
