The Culture Of Vegetables And Flowers From Seeds And Roots Part 20

Where dung is recommended, twenty to twenty-five loads per acre is meant; larger quant.i.ties are frequently applied, but these are uneconomical and much less efficient than more moderate amounts supplemented with artificial fertilisers.

All the manures should be worked into the soil before sowing or planting out, except the nitrate of soda, which is best applied separately to the growing plants, preferably in small doses at intervals of two to four weeks.

=In all cases the quant.i.ties of artificials named are intended for use on one square rod or pole of ground.=

PEAS AND BEANS.--These leguminous plants are able to obtain all the nitrogen they need from the air. They should, however, be amply supplied with potash and phosphates, a good dressing being:--

2-3/4 to 3-1/2 lb. superphosphate 3/4 lb. sulphate of potash

DWARF BEANS are sometimes benefited by the addition of 1/2-lb. to 1 lb.

of nitrate of soda.

ASPARAGUS.

A dressing of dung 2 lb. nitrate of soda 3-1/2 to 4 lb. superphosphate 3 lb kainit

The kainit contains a considerable amount of salt, which is of value to this crop.

BEET.--For a fine crop a moderate amount of well-decayed dung applied in autumn is almost essential, as well as 3 to 4 lb. of superphosphate per square rod in spring. On land previously dressed with dung for a former crop, the following may be used, especially on the lighter cla.s.s of soils:--

1-1/2 lb. nitrate of soda when the plants are well up, and a similar amount a fortnight after singling 4 to 5 lb. superphosphate 4 lb. kainit BROCCOLI AND CAULIFLOWER.

=With dung=.

2 to 3 lb. nitrate of soda 2 to 3 lb. superphosphate 3/4 lb. sulphate of potash

=Without dung=.

4 to 5 lb. nitrate of soda 4 to 5 lb. superphosphate 3/4 lb. sulphate of potash

CABBAGE, KALE, AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS.--These Bra.s.sicas require considerable quant.i.ties of nitrogen and phosphates. For spring Cabbage planted in autumn, land well dunged for the previous crop gives good results with the addition of the artificials mentioned below: for the autumn crop, dung should be applied before planting out in the early part of the year.

=With dung=.

2 to 3 lb. nitrate of soda 4 to 5 lb. superphosphate 3/4 lb. sulphate of potash

=Without dung.= 4 lb. nitrate of soda 5 to 6 lb. superphosphat 3/4lb. sulphate of potash

CARROT AND PARSNIP.--A good dressing of dung applied to the previous crop is a valuable preparation where Carrots and Parsnips are to be grown. In addition, one of the following mixtures should be used:--

(1) 3/4 lb. nitrate of soda 3 to 4 lb. superphosphate 3/4 lb. sulphate of potash

(2)

3/4 lb. nitrate of soda 2 lb. superphosphate 1 to 2 lb. basic slag 3 lb. kainit

CELERY requires the use of dung more than almost any other crop, and it is little affected by artificial manures, except phosphates, which may be given in the form of superphosphate at the rate of 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 lb per square rod.

LETTUCE.

=With dung=.

3 to 4 lb. superphosphate 1/2 to 1 lb. nitrate of soda

=Without dung.= 3 to 4 lb. superphosphate 1 to 1-1/2 lb. nitrate of soda 1 lb. sulphate of potash

ONIONS never succeed without an ample supply of potash. This crop should therefore have farmyard dung, or the special potash fertilisers in adequate quant.i.ty.

=With dung.= 3/4 lb. nitrate of soda 4 to 5 lb. superphosphate 3/4 lb. sulphate of potash

=Without dung.= 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 lb. nitrate of soda 5 lb. superphosphate 1 lb. sulphate of potash

LEEKS require the same fertilisers as Onions, but will need little or no nitrate if good dung is used.

POTATO.--For good yield, high quality, and freedom from disease, Potatoes are dependent upon a good supply of potash. They do best when supplied with a moderate amount of farmyard manure, supplemented by suitable artificials, but can be grown on some soils with artificials alone.

=With dung=.

3/4 lb. sulphate of ammonia 3 lb. superphosphate 3/4 lb. sulphate of potash

=Without dung=.

1-1/2 lb. sulphate of ammonia 3-1/2 lb. superphosphate 1 to 1-1/2 lb. sulphate of potash

Instead of superphosphate, a mixture of this fertiliser with an equal amount of bone meal or basic slag may be used, and either 4 lb. of kainit and 1 lb. of muriate of potash instead of 1 lb. of sulphate of potash.

RHUBARB.--An annual dressing of dung is beneficial, together with 6 lb.

of basic slag, 1 lb. of sulphate of potash, and 4 lb. of nitrate of soda, half the nitrate being applied when growth commences and the remainder a fortnight later.

SPINACH.

=With dung=.

3 to 4 lb. superphosphate 2 to 3 lb. nitrate of soda

=Without dung= 4 to 5 lb. superphosphate 1 lb. sulphate of potash 3 to 4 lb. nitrate of soda

TOMATOES need large supplies of potash and phosphates to induce stocky growth and abundance of flowers and fruit. Nitrogenous manures should be withheld until the flowering stage, for they stimulate the production of rank succulent stems and leaves which are specially liable to attacks of fungus pests. After the fruit is set the application of small doses of nitrate of soda, or sulphate of ammonia, as advised below, greatly a.s.sists the swelling of the crop. The following mixtures worked into the soil will be found beneficial for Tomatoes:--

5 to 6 lb. superphosphate 7 to 8 lb. basic slag 1 lb. sulphate of potash =or= 1 lb. sulphate of potash

Nitrate of soda, or sulphate of ammonia, at the rate of 1-1/2 to 2 lb.

per square rod, may be given with advantage as soon as the fruit is set.

TURNIP AND SWEDE.--For the development of fine roots a liberal supply of phosphates is essential.

=With dung=.

1 lb. nitrate of soda 3 to 4 lb. superphosphate 3/4 lb. sulphate of potash

=Without dung= 2 lb. nitrate of soda 4 to 5 lb. superphosphate 1 lb. sulphate of potash