The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-01-09

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main there until they became decom-
posed. At first they only serve to-
mulch the ground, to keep it moist by
preventing evaporation and to prevent
the growth of grass which appropriates
plant food, which would otherwise 60 to
sustain the trees. Gradually, however,
the leaves decay and form the best fer
tilizer that has yet been found for pro-
noting tree growth. They contain not
only humus but all the alkaline sub
stances essential to the support of con-
tinual tree growth.
Leaves are valuable for other purposes
than fertilizing the soil about trees,
shrubs and bushes. They contain ALI
the mineral constituents of plants in
the proper proportion. Unlike most
fertilizers, they can be used without any
of the dangers arising from an excess
or deficiency of some ingredient essen
tial to plant growth. AS wheat con-
tains all the substances necessary TO pro-
duce every part of the human SYSTEM
so the leaves of trees contain all the in
gradients required to furnish food for
most kinds of plants. They constitute
safe manure for every kind of plane
in any stage of its growth. Some kinds
of fertilizers can not be applied TO sod
containing seeds or very tender plants.
because they would prevent the germin-
alton of the first and cause the death of
the last. They contain too much free
ammonia, and sometimes too much pot
ash and lime. They can only be applied
to hardy plants in an advanced stage of
growth. They are too stimulating for
young plants. Decayed leaves, how
ever, are never injurious to seeds or the
plants that spring from @em. They are
mild in their action. They are free
from the seeds of grass and weeds that
are generally found in all kinds of stable
manure. They are very lasting in theiE
action. They decay slowly, and the de-
composed portions constantly furnish
plant food. Leaves that collect and
rot in forest furnish the best soil foE
filling flower-pots that are to be kept in
the house. They are also excellent fos
placing in garden-beds where flowers
and vegetables are to be raised. De-
cayed forest leaves impart no offensive
taste or smell to vegetables like radishes
and lettuce that are eaten without being
cooked. They form an excellent fertiE
izer for squashes, melons and oucumberS
They retain moisture well, and will alb.
sorb large quantities of liquid manure
and soap-suds. When placed in hills in
which vines are to grow, they should be
trOdden down so they will become com.
pact.
In the West, where much of the land is
fiat prairie, and where powerful winds
prevail during the fall, most of the
leaves that fall from the trees are car
ried to places where they will be of no
benefit to the farmer, gardener OK
florist. They are blown into ponds,
streams, ravines and bitches, where
they become incorporated with the mud.
, In Scotland forest leaves are utilized for
fertilizers. In many places they are
raked up and placed in heaps, which are
covered with sod. There they are al
lowed to remain until they become de.
! composed. In some cases they are
, forked over two or three times year
with view of Fastening their decom-
) position. They are often applied in ths
condition they are in when raked up to
: clayey land and plowed under. They
are of benefit to clay soil by render.
= ing it lighter and by adding to it sub
stances that aid in promoting plant
$ growth. In some places forest leaves
, are used for bedding cattle and horses
Q and for putting into the yards and pens
b of pigs. When they become saturated
: with liquid manure they win quickly
0 rot, and become converted into most
. excellent fertilizer. Decomposed forest
q leaves form one of the best manures fol-
q fruit trees, grape vines, bushes thatpr0
!. duce fruit, and ornamental shrubs
h They are also excellent for both swee
+ and common potatoes. 1t is often east
G to collect large qualities of leaves in TIKI
" corners of fields by weaving hazel ani
4 other bushes between the wires tina
d constitute the fence. Leaves often ae
$ cumulate in considerable quantities il
!, ravines and gather on the farm and il
d the deep bitches by the sides of tn
!, roads. They can be taken from then
n late in the fall with little trouble ant
= placed in heaps where they will be con
verified into good manure. The heap
should be covered with turf, which Wi
prevent the leaves from blowing away
will cause them to settle close together