FERTILIZERS 
The pansy is a very strong feeder and well rotted dairy manure 
mixed with peat is our choice. Everyone has his own ideas con- 
cerning what fertilizer to use and how to apply it. If your present 
methods are entirely successful we recommend that you stay with 
them, but we also suggest that each year you try some different 
method and formula on an experimental patch for possible better 
results. 
Wood ashes and soot are excellent and help to keep the soil 
free of pests. Cover crops of vetch, clover, or peas help to make or 
preserve the humus in your soil. It is unwise to grow more than 
one crop of pansies on the same piece of ground without some 
system of rotation or cover cropping. After your crop comes off 
in the spring you could put in a cover crop and turn it under in 
the fall. 
For bringing your plants along a bit faster, tankage, fish meal 
or poultry manure and peat will do nicely. Many fine growers are 
strong for bone meal and the results they achieve are proof of its 
good qualities. If available oyster shell dust is most excellent for 
pansies, about 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Super phosphate in 
the proportion of 1 pound per 100 square feet is of value to most 
any crop. 
We are not experts on the application of concentrated fertil- 
izers but we feel that the trend is in that direction. There are many 
fine books and magazine articles on the subject that may help you 
materially in your efforts to produce finer, healthier plants. 
Have on expert test your soil and make recommendations. Re- 
member every soil requires different treatment. We consider it 
advisable to keep your soil PH value around the neutral point. 
Concentrated fertilizers should be used with caution. The ideal fer- 
tilizer is one that does not burn the plants and becomes available 
as needed. Thus small, well timed applications will give a better 
and safer result than one large dose. These fertilizers should be 
worked into the ground not too close to the plants for maximum 
results, and the use of peat moss in conjunction with these con- 
centrated plant foods is considered good practice. 
Your customers will often ask how to fertilize their plants. 
Tell them that one tablespoon of Vigoro dissolved in one gallon 
of water will keep their pansies happy providing the bed is 
mulched with peat moss. Each plant should receive one cupful 
every two weeks. 
In every state and province in North America, you will find a 
county agricultural agent that will be glad to analyze your soil and 
usually without charge. In this way, we can easily know what 
kind of fertilizers are most necessary. 
They can also supply you with valuable information as to local 
diseases and pests, and the way to fight them. 
AS FR 
