Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-05-20
VEGETABLE CULTURE.
FeftiiiHinS Materials Whose Application
Can BE Recommended.

Feftiiizinx Materials Whose Application
Can BE Recommended.
The market and farm gardeners have
theory and method in fertilizing the
soil. On general principles the prac-
tice isthe application of animal manure
for all crops in the garden, but this
costs much in labor and time before it
is ready to apply to the soil and often
has to be prepared by composing some
time before using. Home manure is
reduced in bulk one-half by this pro-
cess for some crops, onions. for in
stance; while the heat generated in the
process will kill many seeds If weeds.
The reduced bulk permits the applica-
ton OF greater money value to the
soil. and the fineness of the manure ad-
mitS of better distribution III the soil.
Manure thus prepared and applied is
sure, humanity speaking, to produce =
good crop of vegetables. whether the
soil be gravel, sand or loan. Soggy
peat soils and hard clays are not fit to
grow vegetables upon, and will be
found too wet. cold and compact for
profitable results, unless some method
of draining can be carried out.
There are many reasons why suit
able and sufficient supply of well-rot-
ted manure can not always be on hand
for use in the hurry of spring and so
commercial fertilizers are bought as u
last resort; as a rule these produce the
best results upon land that is in medi-
um condition, not too rich from former
applications of animal manures and
not wholly destitute of them in the
past.
Crops are often committed to the
soil. and the ministry of earth and air,
in the consciousness that mans part in
the supply of sufficient and proper
nourishment for the expected results
has been sadly neglected. This knowi-
edge foreshadows 4 dark uncertainty
about the results, but more hopeful
natures and those best acquainted
with natures ways, more often see re-
suits equal to their honest expectations
and often better results than they ex-
pected. But it seems sometimes that
the Creator does remit the curse on
1.-THE ground for mans sake that the
creature may rejoice in an unearned
and large abundance beyond expect:l-
tons.
Coarse straw manure direct from
the stable is good for such crops AS
corn. peas. bcets, spinach, cabbage, rs
plants of that kind on most lands will
not produce good crops if hog manure
is used. Commercial manurcs have
good effects in my experience on rad
ishes. turnips. potatoes, cabbages. For
the kitchen garden the compost heap
is often recommended, but that source
may fail if nothing has been put into it
but sods. leaves. chip dirt and dish
water. Shavings, sawdust, apple POM
ace, muck sand. may answer for abb
sorbents in the stable and render up
their account to the plant ultimately.
but these articles alone applied 10
the soil are of little value for r.i,-
ng vegetables. Vegetables are great
eaters and they always cat fast
if they can. Hen manure makes an
excellent food for all vegetable grow tn.
and wood ashes rarely come amiss.
Composted night soil is not as valuable
for the vegetable garden as many sup
pose; its action is rapid and often very
disappointing. Refuse hops from the
beer breweries are the best fertilizers
ever tried for all crops, without any
They decompose very
slowly and their effects are visible for
several years where once used. A pile
four years old taken from a spent hot
bed, has given me splendid potting
soil for plants and is not wholly de-
vet. | have used them at |
the roots of tomatoes and other plants
with marked effect. There is no danger |
of burning the roots By applying too |
much. Tillase is manure; | have seen |
it exempiitied in my experience. but
one can not hoe enough to make good |
crops without manure.-COr. -4mericds |
GarGen.