it thoroughly to a depth of five or six inches—the second is 
- to use it as a mulch during the growing season. 
Unlike peat moss, TOPPER does not absorb water, being a 
cork substance, but allows a film of moisture to accumulate 
around its surface and holds it for use of feeding roots. As 
a mulch, TOPPER remains dry, acting as an insulator which 
prevents transpiration of moisture from the soil. 
HUMUS IN RELATION TO 
MOISTURE, AIR and HEAT 
Although moisture is only ove of the four basic factors for 
plant growth, it regulates to a great degree the amount of 
two other factors—soil air and heat. We know that wet 
soil is cooler than dry soil, As water is added, soil air is 
driven out. The perfect soil con- 
ditioner, therefore, would be one 
in which there is the right amount 
of moisture, air and soil tem- 
perature for a healthy plant 
growth. TOPPER assists in bring- 
ing about this condition, when 
mixed in the soil or used as a 
mulch. 

The amount and texture of 
IN BALANCE humus in the soil regulates its 
moisture-holding quality and 
controls the degree of air and heat. Although it takes 
TOPPER from one-and-a-half to two years to fully decom- 
pose and become humus, after it has been incorporated in 
the soil, it has somewhat the same effect as humus in regulat- 
ing moisture, air and temperature in the soil. 
Why Organic Materials 
must be added 
Virgin soils are kept balanced by 
the return to the ground each year 
of a certain amount of vegetation 
in the form of leaves, grass stems, 
twigs, etc., while surface-feeding 
roots are allowed to decompose and 
become humus. Clean cultivation, 
together with the removal of crops, 
not only robs the soil of needed 
humus-making material, but the stir- - ; BS 
ring of the soil adds oxygen which 
causes soil bacteria to break down 
the organic matter at a more rapid 
rate. One result is a serious loss of 
nitrogen which is largely stored in PLOW THEM UNDER! 
organic matter and released by its 
decay. Continuous cultivation without the return of organic 
material will result in unproductiveness. Even with the 
regular application of commercial fertilizers, it is necessary 
to add other organic materials. TOPPER is organic and will 
become humus when fully decomposed. To hasten in this 
decomposition it will be beneficial and desirable to add about 
a pound of sulphate of ammonia to a bag of TOPPER. If 
this is done, in addition to the regular feeding of a complete 
fertilizer, there will be a resulting soil condition which will 
help to regulate moisture, air, temperature and all the plant 
nutrients required for the average crop or garden. 

