BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
LEAFLETS 
THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 
Series VI Brooklyn, N. Y., October 30, 1918 No. 8 
FERTILIZERS FOR CITY GARDENS 1 
It is generally admitted that stable or barnyard manure is the 
best all-round fertilizer for the garden. It contains nitrogen, 
phosphorus, and potash, the three most important elements 
necessary to supply in order to maintain the soil in a state of 
fertility. Manure usually gives satisfactory results even though 
no other fertilizers are used. In addition to the plant food con- 
tained, it supplies humus (decayed organic matter) which 
improves the physical properties of the land and by its decay 
makes plant foods available that would otherwise be locked up 
in the soil. Experience has shown that in order to get the best 
results from the use of “commercial” fertilizers it is necessary 
for the soil to be well stocked with humus, and stable or barn- 
yard manure is probably the best form in which this can be 
added to the soil. Barnyard manure may be applied in the spring 
or fall. If applied in the fall fresh manure may be used, first 
spreading it over the surface and then digging the plot so as to 
bury the manure as deeply as possible. If application is deferred 
until the spring it should be partly decayed, as in this form the 
plant foods it contains are more quickly available for the use of 
the crop. If the manure is thoroughly decayed and in a finely pul- 
verized condition it is a good plan to first dig the ground, leaving 
the surface rough, and then spread the manure, afterwards raking 
thoroughly so as to mix it with the surface soil. The quantity to 
use depends upon the amount of humus already present in the 
soil and whether it is planned to use commercial fertilizers in 
addition. If the soil is deficient in humus a heavy application is 
desirable to improve its physical condition; on the other hand, if 
humus is already present in large quantities, it will be economi- 
cal to reduce the amount of stable manure and supply the 
chemical elements necessary by using more concentrated ferti- 
♦Note : In harmony with the spirit of the action of the Periodical Section of 
the Pulp and Paper Division of the War Industries Board, requiring: periodical 
publications to reduce their consumption of paper after July 1. 1918, Series VI 
of the Leaflets will conclude with the current number (No. 8). 
