The Washburn leader., 1916-02-11

regulate the soil moisture of the berry
patch means practically regulating the
berry harvest.
The humus supply In the soil deter
mines to large degree the length Of
time moisture will be held during dry
spell during the growing season. The
more humus the longer moisture will
be held; the less humus the quicker the
soil will dry out and the plants suffer.
One Of the best ways to supply humus
to the soil and at the same time fur
nish extra fertility is to apply stable
manure. Land that Is to be planted to
berries this coming spring should be
covered heavily with manure this win
ter, the sooner the better.
If the berry patch soil is covered
early in the winter any kind Of fresh
stable manure may be used literally
with safety. During the winter and
early spring 1t will have time to leach,
decompose and become mild, to be
turned under when the soil is plowed.
1t is not safe to apply and plow under
fresh manure for berries, because the
fresh manure has tendency through
fermentation and decay to dry the soil
and injure the roots Of the young
plants. II berry soil is treated in late
winter or early spring the manure
should be reasonably well decomposed
and mild. That from cow stables is
milder than that from horse stables.
For winter treatment Of berry soil
any kind of manure of home produced
fertilizer may be used. A variety is
better than single kind. That from
the poultry house is excellent, but must
be scattered thinly over the ground. as
it is strong. That from hog and sheep
houses is good, but is rich and must
be used sparingly. The different kinds
may be mixed together for use. Wood
ashes are excellent fertilizer for all
kinds of fruits and especially good for
small fruits. They may be applied to
the soil any time during the winter and
early spring.
One of the best ways to use poultry
droppings on small fruit soil is to use
coal ashes or dry soil to mix with and
to serve as moisture and odor absorb.
.ent for the perch droppings. In this
way the full value Of the droppings is
saved. and when the fertilizer is ap-
piled with the absorbent 1t is disinte
grated and mild for use. More surface
can be covered with the same amount
vt fertilizer. DO not. however, use
wood ashes in the poultry house as an
absorbent for poultry droppings. as the
ashes decompose the drOppings.
Ground rock phosphate. either acidu.
lated or raw. may be applied to the
terry soft with good results. II the
acidniated is used apply 1t only Just
before planting time. or even later.
working It into the soil between rows
through cultivation. as It acts quickly.
Raw rock phosphate may be applied
any time before preparing the soil be-
cause It dissolves very slowly IN the
soil. acting slowly. but longer time.
One Of the best ways to use raw rock
phosphate on berry soil is to sprinkle
It in the COW stable as an absorbent,
then applying It mixed with the stable
manure.
Money In Poultry. 4
In making up IN egg ration do not
forget liberal allowance Of sunshine.
But remember also that It takes more
than sunshine to produce eggs. It
needs pure solid grains. and lots Of
them. The pOultryman who can make
his hens lay eggs in the winter. when
they bring the highest prices. is the
onn tl,at ahONs ffsi ability q. 7 A