MANURES FOR SMALL GARDENS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 78, 29 September 1938, Page 27

MANURES FOR SMALL GARDENS

A correspondent^ asks information as to, the best artificial manure for small gardens. For those people who .have small town, or suburban gardens I should recommend the use of any of the proprietary garden manures. These are usually sold in convenient quantities and are what are known as "complete manures"; that is, they contain nitrogen, potash, and phosphates. It should not be forgotten, however, that when using this class of fertiliser it is necessary to replenish the humus content of-the soil by the incorporation of some kind of vegetable matter either in the form of green crop or decayed weeds, etc. It should also be borne in mind that artificial manures are highly cohcen; trated and if used too. lavishly are liable to do more, harm than" good by burning the roots of plants. As a general rule from 3 to 4oz per square yard is ample. Lime is best applied in the autumn, while the plants are mostly dormant. It then .has time to be washed into the soil and releases other plant foods, making them 'available for'the various plants and crops. Nitrate''of soda is more a stimulant than a manure and is particularly useful for hastening and increasing the growth of leaf. It is used largely for pushing along such things as lettuces, celery, cabbages, etc., but when ajiplied tp flowers is apt to make the growth too rank, at the expense of flowers and. general health. When ap-

plied to the flower garden it should be given very sparingly as rank, sappy growth is very susceptible- to disease. Soot makes an excellent fertiliser for small gardens and-.'-being-.'a complete manure is useful for all classes of plants. Care, however, in its use is [necessary. It should be well weathered before use or it will hslve a burning effect. The best way is to place it [in shallow trays,for two or three weeks before using, bf course, it must be | kept dry as. when wet it forms into lumps. Fowl manure is very useful also and when gathered daily from the houses and mixed nth dry sand or fine soil is not objectionable to use. The best method is to scatter lightly over, the surface arid fake in. If a quantity of super equal to half its weight is mixed with the dry, powdered fowl manure its value will be greatly enhanced. Ashes from the rubbish fire or from a wood fire are good fertilisers and may safely be scattered Over the beds to be washed in. The ashes should not be allowed ,to get wet before applying as the potash is very quickly leached away. Finally, given a reasonably good soil to start with, very little manuring will be needed if constant shallow cultivation is practised. Endeavour to keep the surface constantly open by the frequent use of the hoe and rake and you will be surprised the difference ifr will make in the results.