Evening star., 1945-05-20

prewar mixtures, although a bit S
plants.
Most gardeners admit that it is
important to feed their plants If
they are to grow vigorously. Too
often, however, 1t Is a hit or miss
operation. Few take the trouble to
fertilize regularly and only very
few try to see that the right amount
Is given with each application.
The standard recommendation for
this area is pounds of the S (nitro-
gem, 10 (phosphate), S (potash) per
100 square feet Of bed. However, ex-
lperienced gardeners prefer to make
two or more applications, applying
2 pounds at time.
Two pounds of the 5-10-5 mixture
Is slightly more than / quart by
volume. Superphosphate and muri-
ate Of potash have about the same
volume weight. Ground limestone,
nitrate of soda and sulphate of
potash are slightly heavier by vol
ume-2 pounds make IN pints. Two
pounds Of ammonium sulphate has
volume Of ~ quarts.
Using this volume measurement,
scatter the two pounds over meas
ured 10x10-foot space as evenly as
possible. Then note carefully how
thick the application is and the
color. If this is carefully done, fer
tilizer can be spread over the garden
with reasonably accurate results
without further measurements.
Fertilizers should be applied after
a shower or watering, when the
plants are not thirsty. Cultivate it
into the soil shallowly so as not to
injure the roots. If water is avail
able, it is well to sprinkle the beds
to wash the plant food down to
the roots.
Flowers and shrubs will get the
needed nitrogen from the presently
available flower mixture, but grass
needs more. However, there is no
commercial nitrogen available to
supplement it, so we look to poul-
try and animal manures for the
duration. For vegetables we may
buy ammonium sulphate or nitrate
of soda to give the leafy crops need
ed nitrogen. Two-thirds of a cup
of granular nitrate of soda or l cup
of ammonium sulphate added to the
| 2 pounds Of 5-10-5 mixture will raise
the nitrogen value to approximately
10 per cent. This is especially use
full for cabbage. lettuce, chard, spin
ach and other leafy greens.
The timing of applications varies
greatly among gardeners. Some ap-
ply the first application at or be-
fore planting. The University of
Maryland recommends spreading
some fertilizer before spading and
the balance on the freshly turned
earth so that it may be raked into
the soil. Others recommend apply
ing the fertilizer in a narrow band
on each side and below the row of
seed. This is the initial application
and should be followed by a Sec
ond application as the crop ap-
proaches maturity. In the case of
snap beans this would be at the
time of Towering or shortly after.
Tomatoes, chard and celery benefit
by three applications-at planting
or transplanting, at midseason and
in the early fall-because they are
long-season crops and need to be
kept growing vigorously.
Some gardeners are satisfied with
the spring application of a COM
plete fertilizer and use only nitro
gen for supplemental feeding. One
way is to dissolve ! ounce Of nitrate
of soda in gallons of water. Apply
this solution to the growing crops
(around but not on) once every
week or two. A solution made from
animal manures may be used effec-
lively. 1t is made by suspending a
peck or so of manure in a barrel
approximately so gallons) of water
for two or three days. The liquid
is then ready for use at the rate
of gallons per Is feet of row.
Feeding shrubs and roses should
be ended by the first of August to
insure that all wood is mature and
winter hardy. Late feeding encour-