MANURING THE GARDEN.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 16, 13 September 1928, Page 3

MANURING THE GARDEN.

Supplied by Special Committee of H.V. Horticultural Society. Before going into the details of animal and artificial manures for garden purposes it is advisable to inform our readers of the several substances that are found in the soil, namely: —Phosphorus (phosphoric acid), potassium (potash), nitrogen, lime, iron (oxide of iron), sulphur (sulphuric acid), sodium (soda), magnesium (magnesia), chlorine, silicon (silica), and alumina. These substances make up 90 to 95 per cent, of the most fertile soils, the remainder being decayed vegetable matter. But some fertile soils have not more than 2 or 3 cent, of humus (organic matter). ▼The main substances wliicli need only interest gardeners are: Phosphorus (phosphoric acid), potassium (potash), nitrogen, and humus (organic matter). Scientists tell us that New Zealand soils are generally deficient in phosphoric acid but most soils are deficient in phosphoric acid, proteid and nitrogen, and in some cases lime. There are no fixed rules for manuring any garden, but deep tillage, drainage, and good cultivation of growing Crops are essential to the production, of good crops, and only by keeping a record of manures used for every crop under cultivation can the kitchen gardener determine which manures are required for his or her plot. Phosphoric, acid promotes roots formation, builds the framework of the plant, assists fruiting, and hastens the maturity of the plant. Superphosphate is a water suluble manure, that is, it becomes available to the plant in a sort time. To receive the full benefit the soil should contain an abundance of lime. It is best used for shallow-rooted plants and short-lived crops that develop rapidly. Basic Superphosphates: This is superphosphate which has been mixed with caustic lime in proportion of 151bs. to 851bs. of superphosphates. Basic superphosphate is useful where liming has been negelcted.

Basic Slag: This manure is the byproduce of conversion into steel of pigiron made from phosphatic iron ores. It contains about 19 per cent of free lime, and the writer strongly recommends the fertilizer for gardening purposes in the Valley; it should be applied in late winter or early spring. Some gardeners say that it takes six months to become available, but such is not the case where the rainfall is sufficient.

Bonedust: This manure is made from the bones of animals. This form of phosphoric acid is slow-acting, and is finely ground to hasten the process of becoming available to the plant. Mixed with superphosphate —2 parts to 1 part of bone dust —forms a lasting phosphatic fertilizer. Nitrogenous manures are especially adapted to produce leaf-growth. The following are tho different fojm.s of nitrogenous materials sold on the market: — Nitrate of Soda is obtained from extensive nitrate beds of Chili, South America. The nitrate is purified after being mined, and contains 95 per cent of pure nitrate of soda. It is the quickest acting of all fertilisers, and should only be given in small doses. It is best applied to growing crops only, otherwise it will be washed out of the soil before crops aTe capable of receiving any benefit. Sulphate of Ammonia is a by-product in the manufacture 6f coal-gas. It is obtained by washing the gas through dilute sulphuric acid and concentrating the liquid until sulphate crystallises out. ,It acts similar to nitrate of soda, with tne exception that plants gradually absorb the manure, whereas in nitrate of ; soda it is lost by leaching. Sulphate of ammonia should never be used in extra large quantities, as it makes,the soil acid. Sulphate of ammonia should never be mixed with kanit, because such a mixture releases a gas called chloride of ammonia, a salt that is injurious to plants. Dried Blood: Blood is a well-known nitrogenous fertiliser; should never be sown directly with seed nor mixed with lime or wood ashes, but should be applied in the early stages of Often usg£ to mix with bonedust, and in that f o^u makes a complete manure on heavy soils. * Potash stiffens the tissues and. assists plants to withstand disease, and makes all kinds of fruit firmer. Sulphate of Potosh comes from Germany, and is about 95 per cent. pure. Very beneficial to such crops as potatoes a%d artichokes, peas and beans, Kanit: A crude form of potash, containing from 15 to 30 per cent, pure potash, remainder common salt (chloride of sodium) ; often used for asparagus. Wood Ashes commonly contains, if unleached, about 5 per cent potash. Hard woods are richer in proteid than soft woods. Lime is obtainr.l;!2 ~.\ tv:o C,.;:v.r —

burnt lime and ground limestone. Ground limestone is best for light soils and soils deficient in humus, .Burnt lime is best used on swampy land, heavy soils, and soil with plenty of humus. Half a ton to the acre annually is considered the best way to apply to the soil. ORGANIC MANURES. Stable Manure is suitable for alt classes of gardening; it is weak in phosphates, and should be well incorporated in the sou. it is becoming hard to obtain these times. One would be well advised to use green manure as a substitute, with applications of artificial manures. Poultry Manure, when properly cared for, is a valuable manure. It should be mixed with soil and kept in a dry place; it can be used for all lands of crops. Sheep Manure is another valuable manure. It is richer in plant food- than stable manure. The strong objection to sheep manure is that it contains a large amount of weed seeds. Humus is a necessity, and, failing to obtain animal manures, one must consider what quantity of organic matter it will produce. The ideal green manure has yet to be found. Leguminous plants, such as blue lupin, crimson clover, red clover, vetches and cowpeas, are all good for green manuring crops, as they derive nitrogen from the air and store it in the plant tissues, thus adding more nitrogen to the soil. Other forms of green manuring are Western Worths, an annual grass that grows very quickly, and most suitable for ground in good condition. Oats, rye, barley, and horse beans are also suitable.