MANURES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 35, 10 August 1933, Page 17

MANURES

FOR SMALL GARDENS

A correspondent, "jV.'W.S.", asks: "What arc.the ljcst manures for a smal. vegetable garden where fhc usual tircens, root crops, and legumes are *r6wh?" ;Thcre-iirp three elements ro- ' cognised'a'^cssciitial to all plant lite, ;ilthough:it should be remembered that they arc not required in the samo proportions by all.. The three necessary things arc phosphates, nitrogen,, and potash.. Most New Zealand soils are deficient in- phosphates, which may ba supplied by. applications of superphosphates. Phosphates promote root formation and fruiting and hasten maturity.. ' 'Other, phosphatie manures, are basic slag and bdncdust, both of '-which, are slower in1 their action ' than superphosphate. The first is most useful "for heavy clay soils -where there is a good ramfair or-where plenty of ■■water, can be used. Boncdust- is more suitable for pail 'deficient, in lime and used in eonju'nction with superphosphate will give results : over a. longer period than the super alone. ~'• ■; .-'•' "' "• : .- ... .■, NITRATE. This clement "may bo ■ supplied by means of nitrate:; of soda, sulphate of. ammonia, diied. blood, and blood and bone. /Boih'-iniiratc, of soda and sulpha to of^ariifliOnia^ are readily soluble in]watcr/sbut-.tho*; !formof •is quicker in ils action;'and.-should, .therefore, be given only to 'growing crops in small drfses. which the plants can assimilate immediately. It is used generally for all'crops such, as any of the cabbage fjfa'ily j, lettuces, spinach, etc., where it isi1 the desire to have a- luxuriant top growth. Sulphate of ammonia is not so readily available to plants, and, remaining lojiger in the soil, will supply tho l'o-1 qijired to-those crops which require it throughout their growing seasosi. ■ ,:■ ■■■ -'• -<>[ji'. . ;'L)ri,e(t;.l-,I)Ioo'(t i£slqw in action, and iii^A^^B^T^^^i.^^Mon tains an Hilrat^tl^^^^^ife'-uuty'.cause harm ■;ifhjf;e^j|^X(!|ss'(:^i; .'W: ' ■••■."■, %s(<6*4j::L;and ; jbQn|(.rja ;a '.useful and safe f mtiS&Q Sb^iljiiilifg ' both phosphates ai(fl|jl&vsp;' ; ■;.%.' .-.. ■■. . tlie soil by means ofll^ypQdV-a'BV'^i-.sufijti'sito of potash, and fc.4j.lj iti ■iS 011*'iiPJit forms starch and siij?ltrs^ 'tlJtiS^atiffeniiVg8 Vfcho tissues and ma'laifgvpla'iUs1 better aWo to withstand diste^sc.^j ■.■%•!■,;■ ';.■,' ■'::- ■. ,' ';IJ.lshQXild.;.bc:l3Oi;ne in mind that most. so^Js'.feoii.taiiv 'all bf tlic above .elements ii^;jv:'inorc or less degree, but. not al\v&ss;.in;,a form nvnilable foi1 plants. ;;•;■ j:;:;;.J-y.v 1 .,O:' -LIME. . Us \ used' to. liberalc the ' plant f.dpd''ai;clAihaki) it avuilabli1, while liiinius^dQcayed,..aninitil or vogotfible ma'tjer-^li.pjds it-'aiid at tho same time itddi :wari)i;th...to''-tho soil. lift^ictiiimpisiei-T-Siost gardens require ]i.m&'l4't?l^st:'oßce' pv'cry t\vo year;?, ;os : . p|cialiy;li-:wher(3'. aeavy applications of ui|ipi!ilV;.Ihianiires ;:.havG been repeatedly »jfplißct^'J3hi-iiius :,is nearly always. d'efl-.ciMfr-.Viif^gjSiJpii'tl which 'is constantly crpjjpe§;ap,tt'i]^oula-lio replaccdby green

cropping and tho digging in of all available vegetable matter. For general garden purposes .bonedust or blood and bone are perhaps the most useful, being safe and ' long lasting. Superphosphate is good for obtaining rapid growth, while nitrate of soda applied in two or three weak doses will hasten the growth of green crops arid improve their texture. Potash may be supplied by means of wood ashes or ashes from a rubbish fire. .--..- QUANTITIES TO USE. iThe average amount of' concentrated fertiliser of whatever kind to be used should bo from 2oz to 4oz per square yard. If used in too great strength the result is not only waste of valuable material but may do tremendous harm even to killing the crops altogether. , For root crops such as carrots, parsnips,' beet, turnips, ana radishes use principally superphosphates. Tor cabbages, cauliflowers,, spinach, celery, asparagus, etc., principally nitrate of soda and superphosphates. For peas, beans, pumpkins, marrows, and tomatoes superphosphate and potash with a small amount of nitrate of soda.