The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-02-26
Agr culture.
IN THE GARDEN.

correspondence of The Progressive Farmer.
As spring approaches we are all of
rs more or less interested in the gar
den. We examine with interest the
Drofuselv illustrated seed catalogues
which are sent broadcast over the
land at this season, and in nine cases
out of ten, if we have any chance at
all to grow Il few vegeta bles, we will
sit down and send off an order
for seeds. In fact, we are apt to
Dav more attention to buying seed
shan we do to preparing our garden
spot and having it ready to receive
the seed when they come.
lam constantly asked the question
How shall l prepare my garden this
gpring?" 'What fertilizer do you
think would be best to use?" As
many others are probably asking the
same question, I shall try to answer
it as best 1 may, in the present ar
acle.
This matter of preparation Is most
important if our garden is to be a
success. 1t should be deeply plOwed,
Or otherwise worked up as good as
possible, being careful to do the work
only when the soil is dry enough to
crumble, otherwise we may do more
harm than good. 1t is an excellent
plan, as soon as this plOwing is COM
pleted, to give the whole garden an
application broadcast, of acid phOs-
Dhate and muriate of potash at the
rate of 900 pounds per acre, using
800 pounds acid phosphate to 200
pounds muriate of potash and thor
oughly working it in on the surface.
If nitrate of soda is to be used to
supDlSthe nitrogen, it should be ap-
piled al planting time again after
she vegetables are up, as it is very
soluble and liable to leach away dur
Inr heavy rains. Ifcotton seed meal
IS used for this purpose, it should be
applied two weeks before you are
ready to plant, to prevent injury to
5n. seed. We have also found 1T an
Advantage to make a second applica-
SION of meal when nitrate of soda
,suld not be secured on some vege-
41les, such as cabbage, beets, let
fuca and turnips, after they are up
and have started to grow. Dried
blood may also be applied in the same
manner us the meal, using about one
laIt the quantity if it is high grade.
If it Is difficult to get the above
materials, u complete high grade fer
r-izsr may be used with equally good
results. These early vegetables re-
5vire considerable potash, and fer
Hzaranulvzing ammonia 6 per cent,
9l.-phoric acid ) per cent. and potash
per cent. Is about right for most of
sl-m, with the exception of peas and
Deans, where one-half the quantity
D.. ammonia will be sufficient with
responding increase in phOsphOric
a..L and potash. Beets, turnlps.
-a.-~heS, carrots, Irish potatoes, Eng
s-l peas and the asparagus bed all
aenl potash, and the sooner 1T Is ap-
g.el the better. On cabbage and
.s..c, which need very rich soil, 1T
Is IL good plan to use an additional
r.autv of fertilizer in the drill
....n the plants are set. 1t will be
....-.,Dle also to supplement- this
5zar with top dressing OF
....re Of soda on most of the yege-
....- after they are up.
And how about stable manure!'
..a. ne will ask. Stable manure
.. right, but to be made effective
. .rIy vegetables it must be thor
.lv rotted and fined. To put 1t
.. III this condition it should be COM
tied by piling it up in a large
ure pile 50 it will not leach by
ing heavy rains soak through 1t,
Il -orking it over every week or so
..t least d month. Spread about
81. inches of soil over the top OF the
a.- to prevent the escape OF am
a MIA. Acid phosphate or kainit
.1nkled through the pile will also
..p to hold the ammonia and i'm
prove the quality of the manure.
a..u prepared in this manner there
n.tling better for early vegetables,
.. it entails d great deal Of work,
list he done in advance so as to
.-v the manure in readiness when
.ej.
The application of fresh manure