USEFUL FERTILISER HINTS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 106, 21 May 1937, Page 8

USEFUL FERTILISER HINTS

Whether your gardening is clone for pleasure or profit, it will always be found that tlie rcsults are far more

satisfactory and more easily obtained if the soil is maintained in a ricb fertile conditjon., The proper growth and deveiopment of plants is only possible when the soil contains sufficient plant food to meet their needs. In the home garden, measures should be taken to return to the soil at least as rnuch food as has been removed from it, and to supply those elements of fertility which are lacking. Nitrogen, potash, and "phosphates are the essential plant foods. These are removed from the soil in varying proportions according to the crop growth, but so far as garden plants are concerned the average amounts removed may be stated at Nitrogen, 141b. a quarter-acref; potash, 141b. a quarteracre; phosphoric acid, 6lb. a quarteracre. This goes on year after year, so it will be seen that unless the supply of food is replentished from time to time the soil loses its original fertility, and can no longer produce liealtby plants. The following mixture of manures is a complete one; and should meet the.demand for general home use: Sulphate of ammonia, one part; superphosphate, two parts. This should be applied at the rate of one ounce, or a dessertspoonful, a square yard.