The Opelousas courier., 1897-03-13
FEED THE PLANTS.

FEED THE PLANTS.
So many people make the fatal mis-.
take-fatal to plants-of supposing
their favorites can live, thrive and
blossom for an entire season without
food. As we'll suppose the locomotive
that rushes across the continent to
accomplish its labor without the neces.
sary fuel to generate the power, as to
expect your floral treasures to put
forth leaves and buds abundantly and
be beautiful without the fertilizers
from which they may collect material,
which they alone have the power to
change into vegetable matter.
The material that the plant trans.
forms into leaves and blossoms is taken
from the soil, and unless the supply
is kept up the plant must suffer. Ii
cannot make something out of moth.
ing, but must be supplied with fer
~tilizers at regular intervals to obtain
the best results.
Plants that are grown in beds where
the roots are free to seek for food are
often enriched but once-at planting
time. But when restricted to the mar
row limits OF a pot, a ''little too often"
is the rule. Ii we would not check
their growth we must provide the food
they cannot collect for themselves.
This is accomplished in many ways.
Pot shrubs and bulbs are much ben.
Gifted by removing the soil down to
the roots and replacing with fresh
earth. This method is recommended
for all plants that object to being
often disturbed.
Geraniums, chrysanthemums and
all plants of vigorous growth, may,
when potbound, be turned from the
pot, have part of the ball removed,
the pot filled above the drainage to
the required depth with rich earth,
and the ball returned. This should
be done as carefully as possible, SO as
not to injure the fine roots unneces-
sarlly. Also remove the top, if de-
sired, and refill with rich earth. II
properly done, an immediate benefit
will be noticed in the renewed growth
OF the plant.
It is wise precaution to have q
basket ofrich soil, prepared especially
for this purpose, IN the cellar as winter
arrives. 1t will more than repay the
trouble of securing it.
Liquid manure is a common way Of
providing plant food, but like all good
things, it must be handled with judg-
ment. 1t must not be used too strong
upon dry soil, or be allowed to touch
the foliage. To prepare it, take a
pail part full OF decayed manure and
pour boiling water over it-by using
hot water the weed seeds. if any, are
destroyed, as also are worms and in
sect life. After it has cooled and set.
tied, pour off the water, and before
using reduce to the color of weak tea.
At first, once q week is often enough,
but as soon as the plants become &C.
customed to the stlmulant it may be
applied two and even three tiwf.Sya
week, according to the natareb.It the
plant under treatment. SHOT tea is
also good for plants, gi-irR them q
freshness OF foliage anda braliancy of
color that is surprising. ~ is pre-
pared in the same manner as manure
tea. and they may be used together if
desired. SCOT tea is especially recon.
mended for roses, but it is beneficial
to other plants as we'll.
In reporting plants a little we'll.
rotted manure may be placed directly
above the drainage, lightly covered
with soil SO the roots may not come in
contact with it until established. Fill
IN around the ball with soil mixed with
manure, and when the roots begin to
explore the new soil they will find
tho food suited to their needs, and
will NOT be slow to profit by your
generosity.
For people who find it impossible
or inconvepient to prepare the manure
tea, so much used as a fertilizer, the
prepared plant foods OF various brands
are found very useful. They seem to
perfectly ELL a long.felt want. They
are pleasant to use, and not bulky to
handle ; they are sold at q very reason
able rate, with full directions for their
use.
For people residing in cities, far
from woods and old meadows, from
which a goodIy supply of leaf mould
and rich. sandy loan are to be OBJ.
the potting soil sold by many
is very useful. It contains
lust the right quantity OF each kind
Of soil and well decayed manure, and
best adapted to the needs OF plants
and bulbs, This is an opportunity
not to be neglected, for the aor,st
understands Just what 10 needed, and
has prepared 4 better mixture than
aoula be formed By an aaaatsuA~
MagaainE