BASIC REQUIREMENTS oF PJ/72t Life 
N THIS SHORT GUIDE it is taken for granted that most trees and shrubs require normal food, 
air and water. Thus a plant needing more air than usual at its roots is marked “loose soil” or 
SATCUE =: 
aooNM 
Air—“wind”, “city air”. 
Some plants, like Tsuga, 
burn in strong winds. Bad 
city air is harmful to some 
trees. 
Light—"“sun”, “shade”. 
Plants that get along on 
little light are marked 
“shade” in this Guide. 
Those that need a great 
deal are marked “sun’’.— 
Normal plants are not 
marked—they live in sun 
or part shade. 
Soil—“barren” — Clay has 
no dir, sand no water or 
food. Even mixed clay 
and sand alone does not 
make soil fit for most 
plants. 
“Loams”—As soon as hu- 
mus is added, the soil 
becomes a “normal” soil. 
Air, food and water all 
complete. In addition, soil 
bacteria start living on the 
humus and release nitro- 
gen thus making “top- 
soil” 
“rich”, ‘“fertile’—Soils with 

much humus are fertile. 
Bacteria decay the humus 
into plant food—especially 
Nitrogen. By adding bone- 
meal and ground lime 
once in 5 years and re- 
newing the humus, such 
soils are permanently fer- 
tile. 
The same results can be 
had with commercial fer- 
tilizers. Must be repeated 
every year, as the fertil- 
izer leaches away. 
IP A 
“loose”, “heavy”. 
Roots get oxygen from air 
that filters into the earth. 
Some plants need more 
than others; these must 
have loose soil and will 
suffocate in heavy damp 
clays. Such plants are 
marked “drain” in this 
Guide. 
“damp”, “drain”. 
Roots can only use chem- 
icals that are dissolved in 
water. Also, water is the 
means of transportation 
up the stem. Some plants 
need more than others 
and die in severe 
droughts. In the descrip- 
tions such are marked 
“damp”. A _ loose soil 
quickly dries, a heavy soil 
keeps damp. Thus water 
and air for the roots are 
both present in a mixed 
soil. Normal plants that 
thrive in this “ordinary 
garden soil” need no 
notation. 
Plants very easy to grow are referred to as “'tolerant’’, or may have no notes whatsoever. 



Indianapolis ‘ 
TIAO \ Cincinnatl 
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\ ses 
aN 
Louisville 




= Raleigh 
CLIMATE MAP 
The numbers | to VII in. the map refer to Zone numbers printed after 
each plant name throug out this Guide. It shows the northern limit 
beyond which any given plant cannot grow. This is not a perfect rule. 
Two modifications might be mentioned. East of Indianapolis, a damper 
climate makes all evergreens hardier. West of Indianapolis hot western 
summers make deciduous trees hardier than rated in this Guide. All 
plants are hardier than shown in sheltered site, drained soil, plenty of 
humus, no late summer feeding or watering. 
Ways to Improve Your Soil 
HUMUS:—In some form, is useful to all plants. 
1. Lightens heavy soil; lets light soil hold moisture. 
2. Is nature’s own food (Nitrogen via bacteria). 
Warnings—Renew every two years. 
Compost and Peat Moss:—The cleanest all around 
humus. 
Leafmold, Woods Clearings, Dead Leaves, etc.: Also 
good, though unsightly; better shredded or com- 
posted. 
LIME:—1. 
(makes it into loam). 
soil. 
3. “Flocculates” clay soils 
“Sweetens’ the 
(humus into Nitrogen). 
2. Promotes decay 
ACID:—To acidify soils, aluminum sulphate is quickest, 
but there is danger of damage in heavy soil. Straight 
sulphur (in commercial form as powder) does the same 
job in about 2 weeks and is harmless and easily ob- 
tained. An ounce to a square yard, sprinkled on the 
surface. 
FERTILIZER:—All plants in gardens benefit by having 
plenty of food. 1. 
Strong growth (hardier). 2. Healthy. 
SOIL-TEST KITS 
@ Sudbury Kit tests for nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and 
acidity. No technical skill required. Results apparent 
immediately. (Complete with instructions) postpaid $2.00 
@ Larger Kit—Enough to make 10 tests. postpaid $4.75 
ORDER THESE NATURAL FERTILIZERS: 
Freight extra on arrival—80c to $1. per 100 lbs., within 
250 miles of shipping point in N. J. Freight is slow, 
order early. (Express, half again as expensive). 
@ 100 lb. Bags Shredded Cow Manure, each... $1.50 
Well rotted, can be applied as a direct mulch. Feels 
dry. (Covers 300 sq. feet.) Excellent soil conditioner. 
@ SO lb) Bags .Mulchnur, econo: 242s ae $2.00 
Contains peat-moss, manure, and enough tobacco dust 
to discourage cutworms, moles, etc. Fertilizing value is 
high. Clean, dry, shredded, ready to use. Lawns: Use 
1 pound to 10 square feet. Beds, etc.: 1 pound to 2 
square feet. 
@ 100 lb. Bags Hyper-Humus, each......-.--.-----.-. $1.80 
Peat, screened and bagged, full of soil bacteria. Fine 
for Rhododendrons, tho’ only slightly acid. 
@ Manure Bricks—dried, pressed, cow manure. A one- 
pound brick readily dissolves in 4 gal. water .Fine plant 
stimulant. (Postpaid E. of Miss.); 8 bricks for $2.00. 
@ (SO) bricksinot postwclicl) forsee ce cree neers eect ee eee 11.00 
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