SHOULD LIME BE USED?

  Most Pennsylvania soils which are suitable in other respects for gardening probably will not require liming. The advice of the County Agricultural Extension Representative should be sought through the local Victory Garden Committee; he is able to test representative samples of soil for lime requirement, if he suspects that lime may be needed generally in a given locality.
  If lime is needed, it is the least expensive fertilizer that can be used for the gains which may be obtained. The preferred form to use is ground limestone which may be obtained from most dealers in garden supplies; hydrated lime also may be used. Ground limestone may be applied where needed at the rate of four or five pounds to 100 square feet (10 by 10 feet); three-fourths as much hydrated lime will be sufficient. Spread the lime evenly over the surface before spading, and mix it deeply and thoroughly with the soil.

WHAT FERTILIZER WILL GIVE BEST RESULTS?

  If well-rotted stable manure can be obtained in sufficient quantities, it is the best garden fertilizer. It should be spread over the surface before digging or plowing, and should be spaded or plowed into the soil, though not all at the bottom of the trench or furrow. Fresh manure may be used only if several weeks can be allowed after spading before seeds or plants are planted.
  Most Victory gardeners will be obliged to rely upon chemical fertilizers* to a greater or lesser extent. The Victory Garden Special fertilizer, with analysis or grade of 5-10-5 (5 per cent. nitrogen, 10 per cent. available phosphoric acid, and 5 per cent. water-soluble potash) is the only fertilizer which is permitted by governmental regulations to be packaged especially for home gardens. Apply this at the rate of two to three pounds to each 100 square feet.
  Superphosphate may be all that is needed on fertile gardens which have been well manured, or on which a good growth of weeds, compost, or other organic matter has been spaded in. Apply at the same rate as the Victory Garden Special fertilizer. If chicken manure is used, superphosphate alone, or a mixture of phosphate and potash (0-14-7 analysis) may be added, to make the chicken manure go farther.
  Dried manures may be used, though they are often somewhat expensive in comparison with chemical fertilizers containing equivalent amounts of plant nutrients. Follow directions on the bags.

*earthly pursuits strongly recommends that chemical fertilizers not be used. Organic fertilizers and compost are not only much more healthy for the soil but also for you and your families, pets and wildlife.