Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 251, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1914 — FARM AND GARDEN [ARTICLE]

FARM AND GARDEN

FERTILIZERS FOR THE GARDEN. Some of the Various Kinds Which Can Be Used with Success. Stable manure is relied on by many gardeners, but it is very liable to Introduce the seeds of weeds. Nevertheless excellent crops can be and are grown with stable manure alone. At-’any seed store you can buy a complete fertilizer—i. e. f one containing nitrogen, phosphoric add and potash. For ordinary garden crops from three to twelve pounds to a square rod is about the proper amount. A good fertilizer for corn contains three per cent of nitrogen, six of phosphoric add and eight of potash. Turnips, cabbages, cauliflower and lettuce require a large amount of add phosphate (superphosphate); commercial fertilizers used for these crops should contain nearly twelve per cent of available phosphate acid. These crops also require a large amount of nitrogen, which can be added to advantage after the plants are partly grown, In the form of nitrate of soda scattered light on the ground near the plants and raked in. Tomatoes and other crops may also be stimulated by the use of nitrate of soda used in the same way. It should not he allowed to touch the plants, and if used just before a rain, so much the better. Ground bone and wood ashes make an excellent fertilizer for fruit trees, shrubs, and small fruits of all kinds. Bone and wood ashes should be used In the spring and thoroughly dug Into the sdil. When wood ashes are not obtainable use bone meal and muriate of potash. ® Asparagus should should a dressing of salt in the spring, and after the crop has been secured Bhould be given a liberal amount of ground bone, muriate of potash, and nitrate of soda. Potash or wood ashes should never be mixed with ground bone or with poultry droppings, or there will be loss of valuable ammonia..— Suburban Life.