The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-04-28
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
special Manure. for Gardens.

Az Special Manures for Gardens.
OF course the most certain and most relia-
BILE of manures is that which is always most
easily procured-that from the stable. But
altogether it costs considerable. Usually
purchase price is paid for it at the stable, It
Is then hauled greater or less distance, and
Is Handled from two to four times before it is
under the surface. 1t behooves US then, to
always use it to the best advantage.
Generally know of no objection to the use
Of fresh manures, except that if applied heav-
lily they trouble in fitting the ground for fine
seeds. On the contrary, 1 have always no.
tleed very good effect from the use OF long
manures, and advise piling manures only
when'no ground is prepared to receive it.
But this period covers considerable portion
of the year and much of it must be piled. If
left thus in warm weather without further at
tention, fresh manure invaribly fire fangs-
burns up-and looses nearly all its virtues,
till 1t Is worth little more than so much chaff
To avoid this, after several days hauling of
manure we give it a good drenching with wa
ter, and cover with half inch of soil to help
retain the moisture, and to fix all The escap-
ing ammonia. When wanted it is usually
short and finely rotted.
Hen manure, when mixed with enough
soil to work fine, has special fitness for the
onion crop, as 1t can be applied to the surface
where wanted, and has no weed seeds, and is
exceedingly valuable, being little less than
guano. y 1854 ..-.l - s5i.
Leached ashes have no especial value on
sandy soils and produce most effect upon on
ions, potatoes, corn and root crops. Their
value is lasting and the effect of liberal appi-
cation will be noticed for years, and if not to
be hauled more than three miles, their use is
profitable.
Unleached ashes have most marked effect
aoof mil oukIrx
grown lin fact, it is one of the most valuable
special manures for this crop and is worth for
thls purpose twice the amount paid by soap
makers. For all garden crops they are valu-
able potatoes, turnips, beets and peas deriv-
ing most benefit next TO onions.
Lime is of most valne on rich old soils. its
effect being to unlock and release fertility al
ready in the soil, but inactive and insoluble.
Hence, upon poor soils it may sometimes do
more harm than good, but used upon rich old
garden soils its use occasionally will produce
astonishing results.
Superphosphate of lime produces a very
quick effect, and besides the fertility it adds
to a soil, the rapid development it aids in
plant life, enables the roots to lay hold of
much food they would not otherwise. In the
garden 1t is of especial value to hasten growth
while plants are still small and unable yet to
reach coarser manures, and also to touch up
ana Drlng FORWARD any portions OF crops
which seem to need further help. While de-
pending chiefly on stable and green manures,
yet we always find profitable use for more or
less superphosphate.
10 the garden, land plaster is exceedingly
valuable in its effects. Some of the most
marked benefits from its use have been MOTTO
ed upon vines during drouth. If applied
over the surface of hill and vines during a
drouth so severe that the leaves drop at mid
day, they will, in couple of days, show no
signs OF dropping, bu exhibit unusual vigor,
While in this section we sometimes use it
without any perceptibe effect, in Michigan it
tells wonerfully upon clover and generally
upon other crops.
Brewers spent hops are, in some places, so
abundant as to be an important fertilizer,
generally one load being equal to two of stable
manure. But have found them most valu-
able, when well rotted, for raking into the
surface of seed beds in which are raised cab
bage, celery and other garden plants, since it
retains moisture, keeps the surface loose and
light, and is in every way favorable for the
successful growth of plants. In like manner
it Is excellent for any where you wish most
vigorous growth-those vegetables for the fair,
you know-since it furnishes abundant fertil-
ity, while it keeps the soil in the best condi-
ton for growth.-Ro0t's Garden Manual