View source for ANRA:Lecture:Fertalizer

Welcome to ANRA’s second lecture, which is about fertilisers to improve the soil.

Mhog’ar mentioned the use of animal dung and composted plants. I will also be giving you a couple of other ideas. 

But first, let us think about the quality of the soil in the [[The Village of Blandenberg|Blandenberg]] area. The farmers here will have often picked up a handful of the soil to feel its quality – it is sandy and loose in texture. You will also have walked in the forest to the north of Blandenberg and noticed the denser, woodland soil. 

Here I have brought you a sample of farm soil from [[Ferrell]], a land to the northwest that you may not have visited. Their soil is more fertile than here in the Protectorate – please pass around this sample and look at it while I speak.

I expect many of you farmers keep your animals in sheds during the winter nights. The bedding and dung, which gather in the sheds, is spread on the fields in the spring. If it is left there, open to the air, it will lose goodness. The same is true of plant material you add to the soil. It is best, therefore, to plough it into the soil as soon as possible. Earthworms will also help to distribute this material through the soil.

Two more suggestions for soil improvement are leaf mould and guano. In autumn, you could gather dropped leaves from the forest to the north. Gathered into heaps and covered, these will form leaf mould for digging into the soil in spring. Guano is the name for the droppings of seabirds and bats. It is very rich in nutrients and your crops will improve if you add it to the soil. This substance can be gathered to the east in coastal caves and at the foot of cliffs.

[[Guild:ANRA|ANRA]] members, many of whom are skilled with weapons, would be happy to offer protection to your farmers and their carts on gathering trips. When our building here opens shortly you will be welcome to come in and ask for advice or help.

''Kish'ti''