The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-01-07
nv rHE FARMnR,s FARn1ER

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 At this time of the year when the average cultavator of a garden looks from hfs window upon the frozen and weed covered expanse of ground occupied by his garden the thought seldom enters his mind that there is much towards raising his vegetables successfully next summer which can only be properly done now and W1tn little trouble.
 Those far-sighted truckers who had their ground ploughed at the close of the season are to be consdd- cred both practical and fortunate for inc zrub-woruns which infeSt the lower strata of the top-coil will have been greatly lessened by freezing. The soil will also be aerRted-
 However, all gardners may take this opportunity of testing the qual- fty of their soil, which in some tn- stances becomes sour- A simple meth cd Of doing this is to take a. cupful of earth and moistening it sufficient ly to be crumbIy to the touch yet not sticky. A small piece of blue aitmus paper left for several hours in the center of the test cup will turn red- dish should acidity be present
 As few crops grow in acid soil to the best advantage, the remedy in the spring will be ifnning within mod eration- This should be done with care, as many of the finer vegeta- bles may be hurt should too large a quantity be ploughed under with the first application.
 Another consideration which should be taken at this time is whether or not there is sufficient nitrogen and phosphate in the soil. Although the yearly application of stable manure is thought to be sufficient, a chemical analysis of the soil shows that phos- c. 1-- -1rS Han ies pally. nftrogenious matter, supplying also a large quantity of hu1n1ls so necessary in Binding the particles to- zether and retaining moisture during arid times If. however. phosphate is lacking the plant will be forced by nitrogen and shoot quickly to tops growth and flowers without supply- ing that filling quality ti the vegeta- ble which makes the specimens grown by the neaghbors so much envied.
 If in your opinion your vegetables do not mature or show that rou1- ness so desirable an application o1 high grade ptosphAte will be q. prime necessity and should be taougha of at this time that careful selection of the fertilizer may be made.
 Eedtilizer aompaHies today ea1el to fEFe gardner and when it is dis covered that certain properties ars lacking for the best results in trucl gardening these should De discussed with the dealer that the proper pro portion of both nitrogen and phos phate may be secured, as success il a great measure depends upon accur ate knowledge Of these two prime essentials Though both nitrogen ant phosphate are sold under many diff ferent brand names. and supposedl. guarAnteed. the quantity of avai1a. b1e phosphate varies materially. Blu, r,<x1xy frnr.1 AeafaR7z who 1,aua dee1 knowledge in their brand an1 als. in agriculture
 As an illustration of how phos phate may be present ito chemica analysis yet not available to the gard rrer, 1t may be said that the ordinar, soup bone contains large per cent age. and in the olden days our fore fathers buried them about the root of the grapevine taking, year b. year but small supply of it's ener gy- Bones have been urfearthed af ter fifteen years in almost the sam