BONEMEAL AS A MANURE

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 23

BONEMEAL AS A MANURE

As a substitute for farmyard manure and for occasional use as a dressing to land which it is not possible to manure each year with the former, bonemeal is excellent and lasting in its benefits to practically all crops (writes “ Lorna,” in the ‘ Mauawatu Daily Times ’). Pure bonemeal holds up to

50 per cent, of total phosphates and about 4 per cent, of nitrogen. It is of great value for digging into land in spring, many crops responding vigorously to dressings of it. Unlike many of the artificial fertilisers Avhich, after extensive use are liable to leave the soil too acid, the Avhole of this product appears to be absorbed into the plants, leaving the plots sAveet and friable. As a fortnightly dressing to heavy bearing crops such as runner beans, celery, and onions, it is most beneficial and its use about the roots of roses is apparent in quite a short time. Also it is the only safe artificial fertiliser to use in connection Avith the groAving of bulbs, anemones, and ranunculi corms, and can always he relied on to produce good results. In the making of vine and other borders for fruit trees, it is also very useful, but in such cases should not be used too generously or groAvth Avill be too vigorous. The coarse type of bonemeal, too, in this case, should be used as it is more lasting. For forking around fruit trees in spring bonemeal could scarcely be improved on, the trees proving its value by the improved appearance of their leaves and fruit. Its use upon laivns, too, is very noticeable, and will do much to improve the colour and strength of the grasses. For mixing with potting composts bonemeal in both forms is in constant use, and where the loam is of a rather poor quality a proportion of it should ahvays_ be added. Chrysanthemums, carnations, cyclamen, hydrangeas, and a host of other plants may be vastly improved by its use, either mixed Avith the soil or as a fortnightly top dressing, ancl over close-groAving beds of lily-of-the-valley, and violets, which it is impossible to fork, an occasional dusting of bonemeal will prove beneficial and lasting. It may be used with good results mixed ,in the top spit Avhen preparing spots for sweet peas.