The Detroit times., 1917-04-21
BY A GARDENER.


The soil in the average backyard
il not only lacking in plant food
but has been packed until II is hard
and unytslding. To make the soil
suitable for garden produce requires
careful attention.
After spading deeply. being care
full TO push the spade down as far
as II will go. the upper three inches
should be made fine with hoe and
rake Stones and rubbish should be
removed and all Jumps should be
broken up the depth OF the spade.
IT'S the tiny roots OF the plant that
gives the yield and these roouets
cannot force themselves thru Jumps.
Barnyard or stable manure Is the
best feFtiliEeF II furnished both
plant food and humus The manure
ia best when vel fottsd. aud is
better when mixed with straw than
with sawdust The straw win rot
quicker underground To obtain
quick action I spread thin layer OF
we'll rotted manure after ] have
spaded, and work Il In with hoe
and rake.
II you have or can get wood ash
rs sprinkle them over the garden
before you rake II.
II your soil is sandy the wood
ashes will supply the potash need
ed. II II better to get your fertli-
ger on you can't get stable ma
nure) already mixed. Tell the seeds
man what kind OF soil you have.
clay, loan. sandy. and ask bis ad-
vice regarding fertilizer.
Probably the best way 10 use
commercial fertilizer Is 10 scatter
most OF Il broadcast and 20 rake II
in lightly, reserving a little 10 use
In the hills and rows as you SOW
or transplant.
Then the young plants will have
plenty OF nourishment close AZ hand
to give them a good start, and the
roots will hnd more waiting for
them az they burrow In all direc-
lions thru the earth.
Nitrate OF soda is fertilizer that
acts almost Immediately and In used
chiefly for foliage plants and where
quick growth is wanted. II Is hne
stimulant for rhubarb, asparagus,
spinach and kale.
LIQUID manure twAter In which
stable manure has been soaked)
NAV be used In much the same
fashion "a nitrate OF soda, but for
all products. n is easily made by
filing a cheesecloth bag with fresh
manure and suspending Il In a tub
or barrel OF water
The chances are your garden. "
Il has long remained idle, II sour.
II needs lime TO sweeten II and thus
make the plant food IN the sol
available.
Five bushels OF lime win Be all
that the "sourest' Of gardens
5Ox1o 90 feet-needs. You can tell II
your soil is sour by purchasing q
nickel's worth OF blue litmus paper
and experiment in several parts OF
the garden. Take some moist soil
and cover a piece OF the paper II
IL retains its blue hue that soil is
sweet; ~ II turns red get some lime.
Drainage OF the land II important
Il should have sufficient fall to
drain on surplus water during
rain and yet not so steep that the
soil be washed away.
The surface should be nearly lev.
81 30 the water will not stand In
hollows. Where the natural slope
OF the land does not provide sum
cient drainage. bitches may be dug
or a tile drain put In.
In my garden there was low
spot in which the water would ac-
emulate after rain and drown
out the plants n hadn't dug a
deep hole right In the middle o. II
md filled II 10 within ~ inches
Of the surface with biz clinkers.
bricks. etc. which provides an 80.
cape for all surplus water
Don't begin 10 spade until the