Though plant nutrients are sometimes abund- 
ant in readily available form in a garden soil, 
they can be added as needed. In general, dark 
colored soils are usually (though not necessarily) 
more fertile than lighter ones; the latter are 
generally deficient in humus. At the time of 
planting seed it is advisable to fertilize. This 
helps to produce earlier and better crops as it 
makes plant food immediately available when 
the seed first germinates. Generally speaking, 
most vegetables prefer a fertilizer mainly con- 
sisting of potash and phosphate with a small 
percentage of nitrogen. Well rotted sheep or 
barnyard manure will help build the soil, how- 
ever, huge amounts of weed seed brought in 
with this type of fertilizer more than offset its 
advantages. 
Apart from the preceding considerations, 
nothing is more conducive to success than care- 
ful planning and arrangement of the garden. 
Having the rows extend the long way of the 
area will make cultivations easier. In small 
areas the rows may extend either lengthwise or 
crosswise, as far as convenience is concerned. 
But in the interest of the crops it is advisable 
(theoretically at least) to have the rows extend- 
ing north and south because thereby they re- 
ceive more even distribution of sunlight. Other- 
wise, the tallest growing vegetables—sweet 
corn, pole beans, etc.—should be placed on the 
north side of the plot so they will not cast 
shadows on the lower sorts growing beside them. 
On a slope, run the rows, and cultivate, around 
and not up and down, to prevent washing and 
erosion. 
Vegetables are a rich, natural source of vita- 
mins. This is particularly true of salad type 
crops that can be served raw. The British gov- 
ernment has found that raw carrots are an ex- 
cellent source of sight vitamins and aid their 
night-flying aviators to see in the dark. This 
year plant a garden for defense! 
+t k * 
Community and school gardens are being en- 
couraged by the United States Department of 
Agriculture for the production of vegetables for 
use in the local communities by under-privileged 
families. During the 1941 season, over 9,000 
school gardens were established in connection 
with school lunch programs, the staple foods for 
which were supplied free by the Surplus Mar- 
keting Administration. As 67,000 schools had 
lunch programs under the S.M.A. during 1940- 
41, it is possible that the number of these school 
gardens might easily rise to a total of 40,000 or 
50,000 during the 1942 season. Is your com- 
munity doing its share for these under-privileged 
people? The cost of materials is very little. 
Germiaco 
A ARES ob 
help you support plants o 
quickly, pent ys AAG 
permanently! 

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ee 

IMPS Slug and Snail Bait is truly sensa- 
tional. The way META actually attracts 
slugs and snails away from tender young plants 
and kills them right there on the spot is really 
amazing. 
Many gardeners do not realize that these two 
pests are robbing their garden and killing young 
plants. Snails and slugs are night feeders and 
never in sight during the day. An application 
of META will no doubt surprise you. Buy a 
package from your local seed store today, clean 
up these ‘‘night-feeding’’ pests early and give 
your young garden a chance. 
Large ONE POUND package 25c 
Giant THREE POUND package 50c 
MtTA 
Alls st UGS AND SNAILS 


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