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FOOD FOR PLANTS 
 
 New Edition 
 With Supplementary Notes 
 
 EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY 
 
 William S. Myers, d. Sc f. c. s., Director, 
 
 Chilean Nitrate Committee 
 Late of New Jersey State Agricultural College 
 
 25 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK 
 
AGRICULTURE 
 

 PREFACE ftGRio.^ 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 This is the twelfth edition of Food for Plants and, after 
 repeated and extended revisions, the work has come to 
 have a standard place in our American farm literature. 
 It nows includes results of original investigations and 
 experiments on Highlands Experimental Farms, made 
 under the personal direction of the late Professor E. B. 
 Voorhees. 
 
 The main purpose of all the within recorded experi- 
 ments has been to demonstrate the value of Nitrate of 
 Soda in the scheme of rational fertilization on a practical 
 scale. The investigations have covered more particu- 
 larly the questions of amount of Nitrate and other chemi- 
 cals to be employed, time of application for most profit- 
 able results and practical methods for the preparation 
 of grass lands and the harvesting of the hay crop. 
 
 These recorded experiments set forth the field work 
 intended as demonstrations in farm practice of what may 
 be accomplished by the rational use of Nitrate of Soda 
 under average farm conditions in a typical dairy section 
 of New York State. 
 
 The earlier results have appeared from time to time 
 in former editions of " Food for Plants," " Grass Grow- 
 ing for Profit," and " Growing Timothy Hay for 
 Market " — all practical farm books of value, based on 
 actual scientific and sound practical data. Studies hav- 
 ing been made of methods of crop growing, from the 
 preparation of the land to handling and marketing the 
 crops, it is believed that these volumes have unique and 
 unusual value. 
 
 WTLLTAM S. IMYERS. 
 
 325 
 
BlastiiifT a Test Hole. 
 
 raliclic h'catly I'lH' Tfaiispoii Id Oliciiia. 
 
FOOD FOR PLANTS 
 
 The Food of Plants consists of a number of elements, 
 including Nitrate, phosphate, lime and potash. Nearly 
 always two of these are lacking in adequate quantities to 
 produce crops, especially is Nitrate wanting in the vast 
 
 majority of instances. In this case the 
 Why Nitrate normal growth and yield of the crop will 
 
 Is Indispensable, be limited only by the quantity of 
 
 Nitrate it can properly assimilate. 
 There might be an abundant supply of all the other ele- 
 ments, 1)ut plants can never use other kinds of food with- 
 out Nitrate. 
 
 Nitrate Nitrogen is the food that is 
 Nitrate nearly always deficient. The question 
 
 Nearly Always that presents itself to the farmer, gar- 
 Deficient, dener and fruit grower is, How can I 
 
 supply my plants with Nitrogen, phos- 
 phoric acid and potash, in the best forms and at the least 
 expense? "We will try to throw some light upon this ques- 
 tion in the following pages. AVe will take first. Phos- 
 phoric Acid. 
 
 There are several sources of phos- 
 Phcsphoric Acid, phoric acid, the principal being bones 
 
 and rock phosphate. Of these, the rock 
 phosphate is the cheapest source. A prevailing impres- 
 sion exists that superphosphate made from rock phos- 
 phate is not as good as that made from bones. It has 
 been shown by many experiments that this idea is en- 
 tirely without foundation. What the plants want is avail- 
 able phosphoric acid, and it makes little or no difference 
 from what source it is derived. 
 
6 Food i'ok Pi, axis. 
 
 The largest deposits of rock |)liospliates exist in South 
 Carolina, Floi-idji and Tennessee. These beds of phos- 
 phate are supposed to be composed of the petrified bones 
 and excrements of extinct animals. AVhen this substance 
 is ground and mixed with a sufficient quantity of sul- 
 phuric acid, the larger part of the phosplioric acid which 
 it contains becomes available as plant food. This fact 
 was one of the greatest agricultural discoveries of 
 the age. 
 
 "When the rock phosijhate is thus treated with sul- 
 phuric acid, it becomes wliat is commercially known as 
 superphosphate, or acid phosphate. The same is true if 
 ground bone is treated in the same way. Good super- 
 phosphate, or acid phosphate, contains about 14 per cent, 
 of soluble phosphoric acid. 
 
 The best sources of potash are sul- 
 Potashes. phate of potash and unleached wood 
 
 ashes, which latter contain from 3 to 5 
 per cent, of potash in the form of carbonate. They also 
 contain from 1 to 2i4 per cent, of phosphoric acid. They 
 are valuable as plant food for the potash as well as for 
 the valuable lime they contain. 
 
 Nitrate is the most important and 
 Nitrate. effective element of plant food, and at 
 
 the same time, as stated, is the one that 
 is generally deficient in the soil. 
 
 Crops must have meals, that is, food cooked for them 
 in advance. The sun will help do this cooking, as its heat 
 and light promote nitration which is really a process of 
 cooking and also pre-digestion. When the nitrogenous 
 plant food is cooked and prepared for use it is Nitrate, 
 hence Nitrate of Soda is in a class by itself, different 
 from all other plant foods. 
 
 There are a great many sources of Nitrogen, such as 
 dried fish, cotton-seed meal, dried blood, and tankage. 
 But none of these furnish Nitrogen in the Nitrate form 
 in which it is taken up by plants. This can only be fur- 
 nished to plants in the form of Nitrate of Soda. Nitro- 
 
F(K)i) roll Plants. 7 
 
 gen applied in any other form must be first converted 
 into Nitrate before it can be used by plants at all. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda contains the Nitrogen that is neces- 
 sary for the growth of plants, and is the best form 
 in which to furnish it to them. When we say the 
 best form we mean as well the best practical form. 
 Nitrate of Soda not only furnishes Nitrogen in its most 
 available form, but it furnishes it cheaper than any other 
 source, because 100 per cent, of it or all is available. 
 
 No other form containing so much available plant food 
 is also capable of unlocking the latent potash in the soil. 
 
 Materials Used in Making Commercial or Chemical Fertilizers. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda or Chile Saltpetre 
 Nitrate of Soda occurs in vast deposits in the rainless 
 or Chile districts of the west coast of South 
 
 Saltpetre. America, chiefly in (*hile, from whence 
 
 it is imported to this country for use in 
 chemical manufacture and in agriculture. As imported 
 into the United States, Nitrate of Soda usually contains 
 about 15 per cent, of Nitrogen. Nitrate of Soda re- 
 sembles common salt, with which and sodium sulphate 
 it is often adulterated. This salt is at once available as 
 a direct fertilizer. Whenever practicable, it should be 
 applied as a top-dressing to growing crops, and if pos- 
 sible the dressings should be given in two or three suc- 
 cessive rations. 
 
 General East and West Section of the Nitrate District of Chile. 
 Vertical Scale Exagoerated. 
 
8 
 
 Food fou Plants. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda is usually applied at the rate of from 
 100 to 200 pounds per acre on land previously dressed 
 with farm-yard manure. To secure an even distribution, 
 the Nitrate should be well mixed with from three to five 
 parts of fine loam or sand. 
 
 Much has been said and written about Nitrate of Soda 
 exhausting the soil. This is all a mistake and is the out- 
 come of incorrect reasoning. Nitrate of Soda does not 
 exhaust soils. It promotes the development of the 
 leafy parts of plants, and its etfects are at once notice- 
 able in the deep, rich green, and vigorous growth of 
 crops. The growth of plants is greatly energized by its 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 9 
 
 use, for the Nitrate in supplying an alnindanee of nitro- 
 genous food to plants, imparts to them a thrift and vigor 
 which enables their roots to gather in the shortest time 
 the largest amount of other needed foods from a greater 
 surface of surrounding soil. The increased consumption 
 of phosphoric acid and potash is due to the increase in 
 the weight of the crop. The office of the Nitrate is to 
 convert the raw materials of the soil into a crop ; for we 
 
 UNEXPLORED NlTSATEJftOUIfl) IN CHILE 
 74^978 SQUARE MILjES 
 
 EXPLORED 
 
 NITRATE 
 
 GRQjJND 
 
 2,244 
 
 SO. IWLES 
 
 obtain by its use, as Dr. Griffiths has tersely said, " the 
 fullest crop with the greatest amount of profit, with the 
 
 least damage to the land." 
 
HOW NITRATE BENEFITS THE FARMER. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda, from the standpoint 
 of the agricultural chemist, is a sub- 
 stance formed by the union of nitric 
 oxide and soda. In appearance it re- 
 sembles coarse salt. In agriculture, it 
 is valuable chiefly for its active Nitro- 
 gen, altliough it is also a soil sweetener and is frequently 
 ca])able of rendering soil potash available. 
 
 What Nitrate 
 Looks Like; Its 
 Chemical 
 Properties. 
 
 50,000,000 TONS OF NITRATE EXTRACTED 
 
 Commercially pure Nitrate contains 
 What it is in about 15 per cent, of Nitrogen, equiva- 
 Agriculture. lent to 18.25 per cent, of Anmionia, or 
 
 :]{){) ])()un(ls of Nitrogen to the ton. 
 
 1101 
 
Food for Plants. 11 
 
 Nitrate of Soda is found in vast quan- 
 Where it is tities in Cliile. The beds of Nitrate, or 
 
 Found. " Caliche," as it is called in Chile be- 
 
 fore it is refined, are several thousand 
 feet above the sea, on a desert plain extending for 
 seventy-five miles north and south, and about twenty 
 miles wide, in a rainless region. The surface of the 
 desert is covered with earth or rock, called " costra," 
 which varies from three to ten or more feet in thickness. 
 Under this is found the " Caliche," or crude Nitrate. 
 The layer of " Caliche " is sometimes eight or ten feet 
 thick, but averages about tliree feet. This " Caliche " 
 contains on an average from 15 to 50 per cent, of pure 
 Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 It is calculated there is ample Nitrate now in sight to 
 last upwards of three hundred years. 
 
 The " Caliche " is refined by boiling in water to dis- 
 solve the Nitrate. This hot water is then run off and 
 
 allowed to cool in tanks, when the Ni- 
 Method of trate forms in crystals like common salt. 
 
 Refining. The Nitrate is then placed in bags of a 
 
 little over two hundred pounds each and 
 shipped to all parts of the world. 
 
 The process of refining is an expensive one. How 
 these beds of Nitrate were formed has been the subject 
 of much speculation. The generally accepted theory is, 
 that they were formed by the gradual decomposition and 
 natural manurial fermentation of marine animal and 
 vegetable matter, which contains a considerable amount 
 of Nitrogen. 
 
 The same wise Providence that stored up the coal in 
 the mountains of Pennsylvania to furnish fuel for people 
 when their supply of wood had become exhausted, pre- 
 served this vast quantity of Nitrate of Soda in the rain- 
 less region of Chile, to be used to furnish crops with the 
 necessary Nitrate when the natural supply in the soil had 
 become deficient. 
 
12 Food fou Plants. 
 
 The enormous explosive industry of this country could 
 not be conducted without Nitrate of 
 Its Uses. ISoda, and glass works are dependent 
 
 upon it. In fact, glass works and pow- 
 der works usually have Nitrate on hand. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda has a special bearing on the progress 
 of modern agriculture, being the most nutritious form of 
 Nitrogenous or ammoniate plant food. While the action 
 
 of micro-organisms with certain crops 
 Its Position (legumes) combines and makes effective 
 
 in Modern use of the inert Nitrogen of the atmos- 
 
 Agriculture. phere, such action is far too slow and 
 
 uncertain for all the requirements of 
 modern agriculture, for it is not available for use for a 
 whole year or even longer. The rapid exhaustion of 
 combined Nitrogen has several times been noticed by 
 eminent scientific men, with reference to food famine, 
 because of a lack of the needful Nitrogenous plant food. 
 
 It has been estimated under the present 
 Wasteful Methods methods of cropping the rich lands of 
 by our Pioneer our AVestern States, that for every 
 Farmers. pound of Nitrogen actually used to make 
 
 a wheat crop, four to five pounds are 
 utterly wasted. In other words, our pioneer agriculture 
 has proceeded as though fertility capital could be drawn 
 upon forever. 
 
 This injudicious waste is already reducing the yield 
 of many of the best lands, rendering the use of at least a 
 small application per acre of Nitrate both profitable and 
 
 necessary. The agricultural value of 
 Eminent Scien- Nitrate of Soda has had the attention 
 tists the World of the foremost agricultural and scien- 
 Over Well tific specialists of the world, including 
 
 Acquainted with such men as Lawes and Gilbert, Sir Wil- 
 the Great Value liam Crookes, Dr. Dyer, Dr. Hall and 
 of Nitrate. Dr. Voelcker, in England ; Professors 
 
 Grandeau, Cassarini, Migneaux, and 
 Cadoret, in France; Professors Bernardo and Alino, in 
 
Food I'oii Pla.nts. 13 
 
 Spain ; Dr. Wagner and Professor Maercker, of Ger- 
 many; and Drs. Voorhees, J. G. Lipman, Brooks, Dug- 
 gar, Ross, Patterson, Ililgard and Garcia in America. 
 The results obtained by these officials may be summar- 
 ized as follows : 
 
 1. Xitrate of Soda acts very beuehcially and with great 
 certainty upon all straw-growing plants. 
 
 2. It is of special value for forcing the rapid develop- 
 ment and early maturity of most garden crops. 
 
 3. It is of great importance in the production of sugar 
 beets, potatoes, hops, fodder crops, fiber plants, and 
 tobacco. 
 
 4. It is exceedingly valuable in developing and main- 
 taining meadow grass and pasture lands. 
 
 5. In the early stages of development it produces fa- 
 vorable results upon peas, vetches, lupines, clover, and 
 alfalfa. 
 
 6. It has been applied mth much advantage to various 
 kinds of berries, bush fruits, vineyards, orchards and 
 nursery stock, and small fruits generally. 
 
 7. It provides the means in the hands of the farmer, 
 for energizing his crops so that they may better with- 
 stand, the ravages of drought, or the onslaughts of plant 
 diseases or insect pests, such as boll weevil, and others. 
 
 8. It may be used as a surface application to the soil, 
 from time to time, should the plants indicate a need of it 
 by their lack of color and growth. 
 
 9. It is immediately available, and under favorable 
 conditions its effect upon many crops may be noticed 
 within a few days after its application. 
 
 10. It may be used either as a special fertilizer, or as a 
 supplemental fertilizer. 
 
 11. The best results are obtained from its application 
 when the soil contains ample supplies of available phos- 
 phoric acid and potash. It should be remembered that it 
 furnishes the one most expensive and necessary element 
 of plant food, namely, Nitrogen, and of the various com- 
 mercial forms of Nitrogen, Xitrate is the cheapest. 
 
14 Food rou 1*i..\nis. 
 
 12. Its uiiifonn action seems to be to energize the 
 capacity of the plant for developing growth. Its action 
 is characterized by imparting to the plant a deep green, 
 healthy appearance, and by also causing it to grow 
 rapidly and to put out numbers of new shoots. 
 
 13. The inmiediate effect of an application of Nitrate 
 of Soda, therefore, is to develop a much larger plant 
 growth and its skillful application must bo relied upon to 
 secure the largest yields of fruits and grain, 
 
 14. Under favorable conditions of moisture and culti- 
 vation, these effects may be confidently anticipated upon 
 all kinds of soils. 
 
 15. All of the plant food contained in Nitrate of Soda 
 is available and existing in a soluble form. The farmer 
 should understand that it is not economical to apply 
 more of it than can be utilized by the crop ; one of the 
 most valuable qualities of this fertilizer being that it need 
 not lie dormant in the soil from one season to the next. 
 
 16. The best results are secured when it is applied 
 during the early growing period of the plant. If applied 
 too late in the development of the plant, it generally has 
 a tendency to protract its growing period and to delay 
 the ripening of the fruit, as after a liberal application of 
 Nitrate of Soda, the energies of the plant are immedi- 
 ately concentrated upon developing its growth. This is 
 true with a few exceptions. 
 
 17. The farmer must not expect it to excuse him from 
 applying proper principles of land drainage, or cultiva- 
 tion of the soil, nor should Nitrate of Soda be used in 
 excessive quantities too close to the plants that are fertil- 
 ized Avith it. For most seeded crops, an application of 
 one hundred pounds to the acre is sufficient when it is 
 used alone. 
 
 18. It may be applied in a dry state to either agricul- 
 tural or garden lands by sowing it broadcast, or 
 by means of any fertilizer-distributing machine. It 
 can be applied to the surface, or it may be cultivated 
 into the soil by some light agricultural implement, 
 
Food for L*LA^■TS. 15 
 
 such as a liarrow, weedor, cultivator or liorse hoe. 
 The capillary movement of the soil waters will distribute 
 it ill the soil, and osmosis of soil solutions and the capil- 
 lary attraction of the soil |)articles when in ,i>'ood tilth will 
 retain it safely until the plant uses it. 
 
 Accepting" the conclusions of these scientific men, the 
 use of Nitrate of Soda in agriculture ought to increase 
 proportionately to the dissemination of the knowledge of 
 its usefulness among our farmers. An increase in the 
 consumption of Nitrate among growers 
 Its Use Is of tobacco, fiber plants, sugar beets, the 
 
 Increasing-. hop, grape, grass and small fruits, has 
 
 been most notable of late. The element 
 of plant food first exhausted in soils is Nitrogen, and in 
 many cases a marked increase in crop is obtained through 
 the use of Nitrate alone. " Complete " fertilizers are 
 generally rather low in Nitrogen, and Nitrate may be 
 wisely used to supplement them, as it is practically the 
 cheapest form of plant food Nitrogen. 
 
 By '' complete fertilizers," is meant 
 " Complete fertilizers containing Nitrogen, phos- 
 
 Fertilizers " and phoric acid and potash. These fertil- 
 " Phosphates " izers are often called "phosphates," 
 the Most Expen- and people have fallen into the habit of 
 sive Plant Food, calling any commercial fertilizer a 
 " phosphate," whether it contains phos- 
 phate or not. Many so-called " complete fertilizers " 
 are merely acid phosphates with insignificant amounts of 
 the other essential plant foods. They are frequently ill- 
 balanced rations for all crops. 
 
 The value of these " phosphates," no matter how high 
 sounding their names, consists in their phosphoric acid 
 and potash in many cases. 
 
 The Nitrogen contained in these ^' complete fertil- 
 izers " is often in a form that is neither available nor 
 useful to the plants until it has become converted into 
 Nitrate. The time required to do this varies from a few 
 
16 Food for Plants. 
 
 days to a few years, according to the tenii)erature of tlie 
 soil and the kind and condition of the material used. 
 
 Statistics gathered by the Experiment Stations sliow 
 that in the United States many millions of dollars are 
 spent annnally for '' complete fertilizers." 
 
 Would you not think a man very un- 
 How to Save Avise who should buy somebody 's ' ' Com- 
 Money on plete Prepared Food," at a high price, 
 
 Fertilizers. when he wanted feed for his horses, in- 
 
 stead of going into the market and buy- 
 ing corn, oats and hay, at market prices ? 
 
 The " Complete Prepared Food " would probably be 
 composed of corn, oats and hay mixed together, and the 
 price would be, perhaps, twice as much as the corn, oats 
 and ha}' would cost separately. It is fre- 
 What Fertilizers quently more economical to buy the dif- 
 to Buy. f erent fertilizing materials and mix them 
 
 at home than to purchase " complete " 
 fertilizers as they are often called. Some do not wish 
 to take pains to get good materials and mix them, and 
 prefer to purchase the " complete " fertilizers. If this 
 be done, special attention should be given to ascertaining 
 in what form the Nitrogen exists. Many of the manu- 
 facturers do not tell this, but some of the experi- 
 ment stations analyze all the fertilizers sold in their 
 respective states and publish the results in bulletins, 
 which are sent free to anyone asking for them. These 
 analyses should show in what form the Nitrogen is. The 
 '' complete fertilizers " that contain the most Nitrogen 
 in the form of Nitrate are the ones to use, and the ones 
 which do not contain Nitrate or which do not give infor- 
 mation on this vital point should be avoided. If you have 
 on hand a '^ complete fertilizer " containing a small per- 
 centage of Nitrogen, and only in organic form, such as 
 cotton-seed, or " tankage," it will be of great advantage 
 to use one hundred pounds per acre of Nitrate of Soda 
 in addition to it. No fertilizer is really complete without 
 Nitrate of Soda. 
 
Food for Plants. 17 
 
 It is now known that the Nitrogen in organic matter 
 of soil or mannre is slowly converted into the Nitrate 
 form by a minute organism. This cannot work if the 
 soil is too cold, or too wet, or too dry, or in a sour soil. 
 As a general rule, soils must be kept sweet and the other 
 conditions necessary for the conversion of the Nitrogen 
 into the Nitrate form are warm weather and a moist soil 
 in good physical condition. 
 
 In the early spring the soil is too wet and too cold for 
 the change to take place. "We must wait for warm 
 weather. But the gardener does not want to wait. He 
 makes his profits largely on his early crops. Guided 
 only by experience and tradition, he fills his land with 
 manure, and even then he gets only a moderate crop the 
 first year. He puts on seventy-five tons more manure the 
 next yea,r, and gets a better crop. And he may continue 
 putting on manure till the soil is as rich in Nitrogen as 
 the manure itself, and even then he must keep on manur- 
 ing or he fails to get a good early crop. Why? The 
 Nitrogen of the soil, or of roots of plants, or manure, is 
 retained in the soil in a comparatively inert condition. 
 There is little or no loss. But when it is slowly converted 
 into Nitrate during wami weather, the plants take it up 
 and grow rapidly. 
 
 How, then, is the market gardener to get the Nitrate 
 absolutely necessary for the growth of his early plants? 
 He may get it, as before stated, from an excessive and 
 continuous use of stable manure, but even then he fails 
 to get it in sufficient quantity. 
 
 One thousand pounds of Nitrate of Soda will furnish 
 more Nitrogen to the plants early in the spring than the 
 gardener can get from 100 tons of well-rotted stable 
 manure. The stable manure may help furnish Nitrate 
 for his later crops, but for his early crops the gardener 
 who fails to use Nitrate of Soda is blind to his own 
 interests. 
 
38 Food for I^i.ants. 
 
 A uivcii <|iiantity of Nitrate will pvo- 
 On What Crops duc^' a uixcii nmonnt of plant substance. 
 Nitrate Should A ton of wheat, straw and grain to- 
 Be Used. gether, contain about 1,500 pounds of 
 
 dry matter, of which 25 pounds is Nitro- 
 gen. To produce a ton of wheat and straw together 
 would require, therefore, 170 pounds of Nitrate of Soda, 
 in wliich quantity there is 25 pounds of Nitrogen. 
 
 A ton of cabbage, on the other hand, contains about 
 41,0 pounds of Nitrogen. To produce a ton of cabbage, 
 therefore, would recpiire 30 pounds of Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 There are no crops on which it is more profitable to 
 use fertilizers than on vegetables and small fruits, pro- 
 vided they are used rightly. Failures with chemical 
 fertilizers are caused usually by lack 
 Fertilizers for of knowledge. There is no doubt but 
 Vegetables and that stable manure is available as a f er- 
 Small Fruits. tilizer, and in some cases may be indis- 
 
 pensable, but at the same time the quav- 
 tities necessary to produce good results could be greatly 
 reduced by using chemical fertilizers to snpply plant 
 food and only enough manure to give lightness and add 
 humus to the soil. 
 
 For crops like cabbage and beets, that 
 What Fertilizers it is desirable to force to rapid maturity, 
 to Use for Gar- the kind of plant food, especially of Ni- 
 den Crops. trogen, is of the greatest importance. 
 
 Many fertilizers sold for this purpose 
 have all the Nitrogen they contain in insoluble and un- 
 available form, so that it requires a considerable time 
 for the plants to get it. Another fault is that they do not 
 contain nearly enough Nitrogen. Stable manure con- 
 tains on the average in one ton 10 pounds Nitrogen, 10 
 pounds potash, and only 5 pounds phosphoric acid, while 
 the average " complete " fertilizer contains more than 
 twice as much phosphoric acid as Nitrogen, a most un- 
 natural and unprofitable ration. A ratio of 2 Nitrogen, 
 2 potash, and 8 of phosphoric acid, is frequent in many 
 
Kool) FoPw Plants. 19 
 
 of the so-called " complete fertilizers," which are really 
 incomplete and unl)alanced as well. A fertilizA'r for 
 (piick-growing vegetables shonld contain as much Nitro- 
 gen as phosphoric acid, and at least half this Nitrogen 
 should be in the form of Nitrate, which is the only imme- 
 diately available nitrogenous plant food. 
 
 Some interesting and valuable experi- 
 Comparative nients were made at the Connecticut Ex- 
 
 Availability of periment Station, to ascertain how much 
 Nitrogen in of the Nitrogen contained in such mate- 
 
 Various Forms. rials as dried blood, tankage, dry fish, 
 
 and cotton-seed meal, is available for 
 
 plants. 
 The experiments were made with corn, and it was 
 found that when the same (piantity of Nitrogen was 
 applied in the various forms the crop increased over that 
 where no Nitrogen was applied, as shown in the following 
 table : 
 
 Increase of Crop from Same Quantitit of Nitrogen from Different 
 
 Sources. 
 
 Relative 
 Sources of Nitrogen Crop Increase 
 
 Xitrate of Soda 100 
 
 Dried Blood p 
 
 Cotton-seed Meal ' - 
 
 Drv Fish TO 
 
 Taiikage 62 
 
 Linseed Meal "^ 
 
 This table shows some interesting facts. Tt is evident 
 that only about three-fourths as much of the Nitrogen in 
 dried blood or cotton-seed meal as in Nitrate of Soda 
 is available the first season. The Nitrogen in tankage is 
 even less available, only a little over half being used by 
 the crop. 
 
 These experiments were made with corn, whicli gro^^■s 
 for a long period when the gromid is w-arm and the condi- 
 tions most favorable to render the Nitrogen in organic 
 substances available, and yet only part of it could be used 
 by the crop. 
 
 AVhen it is considered that Nitrogen in tlie foi'iii of 
 Nitrate of Soda can be bought for as little or less per 
 
20 Kooi) i(»i; L'lants. 
 
 pound than in almost any other form, the advantage and 
 economy of purchasing and using this form is very 
 apparent. 
 
 In a twenty year test to determine the 
 Proof value of various sources of Nitrogen, 
 
 Positive the New Jersey Experiment Station 
 
 found that crop yields and the per- 
 centage of Xitrogen recovered in the crop were greater 
 when Nitrates were used. 
 
 Official figures are — 
 
 '' If we assign to Nitrate Nitrogen a value of 100, then 
 
 the relative availability of the four materials stands as 
 
 follows : 
 
 Nitrate of Sode 100.0 
 
 Ammonium Sulfate 76 . 1 
 
 Dried Blood 62.0 
 
 Manure 52 . 4 
 
 This research ^vas pubhshed in *' Soil Science," April, 
 1918. 
 
 Nitration as studied by means of the drainage water 
 of 6 plots of land, each 300 square yards in area, during 
 4 years, shows that the loss of Nitrogen 
 The Leading in the drainage water was practically 
 
 Question. negligible. Even when Nitrogen was 
 
 appUed in the spring the losses were 
 not large unless heavy rains occurred at the time. 
 The Nitrogen is apparently rapidly taken up by the 
 young growing plants at this season of the year and only 
 a small portion is free to pass into the drainage. The 
 greatest losses occur in the fall when the soil is bare 
 and heavy rains (H'cur, the Nitrates having accumu- 
 lated in large ([uantities during the warmer period of the 
 year. Large losses at this season are, however, pre- 
 vented by the growing of cover crops. 
 
 In applying fertilizers it should be 
 How to Apply remembered that any form of phos- 
 Phosphatic phoric acid, such as ac'd phosphate. 
 
 Fertilizers. dissolved l)one-black or bone meal is 
 
 only partially soluble, and will not cir- 
 culate f reelv in the soil. These fertiUzers should, there- 
 
Food for Plants. 21 
 
 fore, be evenly distributed over the soil and well mixed 
 with it. This is usually best done by applying broadcast 
 before sowing the seed and before the ground is thor- 
 oughly prepared. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda, on the other hand, will ditfuse itself 
 thoroughly throughout the soil if there is enough mois- 
 ture to dissolve it. It can therefore be applied by scatter- 
 ing on the surface of the ground. 
 
 Since Nitrate of 'Soda and salts of pot- 
 How and ash are brought to this country by sea, 
 Where to Buy and phosphate is usually transported 
 Fertilizing from the mines in vessels, all these ma- 
 Materials, terials, as a rule, can be purchased at the 
 seaports cheaper than in the interior. 
 New York is the largest market for these materials, but 
 Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, 
 New Orleans, Galveston, San Francisco, Portland and 
 Seattle, are also ports of entry. 
 
 Lower prices can be obtained by buying fertilizing 
 materials in carload lots. If you cannot use a carload 
 yourself, get your neighbors to join with you. Much 
 money has often been saved in this way. 
 
 In buying, always consider the percentage of avail- 
 ability. 
 
 This may be illustrated by comparing gold ores of the 
 same percentages derived from different sources, — one 
 gold ore containing ten ounces to the ton might be worth 
 a great deal of money per ton, — that is to say, if the ore 
 were extractable with ease and without undue expense, — 
 whereas another ten-ounce ore might contain its gold in 
 such form as to be extracted only with great difficulty and 
 at great expense. 
 
HOW TO USE CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS TO 
 ADVANTAGE. 
 
 Tlie I'oi'Hi of Xitro,i>ou most active as 
 How Nitrate plant food is the nitrated form, namely: 
 
 Increases Nitrate of Soda. All other Nitrogens 
 
 Wheat Crops. must ))e converted into this form before 
 they can l)e used as food l>y plants. Sir 
 .lohii Lawes wisely remarks: *' When we consider that 
 the application of a few pounds of Nitrogen in Nitrate of 
 Soda to a soil which contains several thousand pounds of 
 Nitrogen in its organic form, is capable of increasing the 
 crop from 14 to 40 or even 50 bushels of wheat per acre, I 
 think it must be apparent to all that we have very con- 
 vincing evidence of the value of Nitrate." The Nitrogen 
 of Nitrate of Soda is immediately available as plant food, 
 and it should therefore be applied only when plants are 
 ready to use it. By such a ready supply of available 
 plant food, young plants are able to establish such a vigor 
 of growth that they can much better resist disease, and 
 the attacks of insects and parasites. The famous experi- 
 ments of Lawes and Gilbert at Rotham- 
 Nitrate Com- sted have demonstrated that cereals util- 
 
 pared with ize more than three times as much of 
 
 Farmyard the Nitrogen in Nitrate of Soda as of 
 
 Manure. the Nitrogen contained in farmyard 
 
 manure; in practice, four and one-half 
 tons of farmyard manure supply only as much available 
 ])lant food as TOO pounds of Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 Catch-crops are recommended to pre- 
 Catch-Crops. vent losses of available plant food after 
 
 crops are removed. Rape, Italian rye 
 grass, I'ye, thousand-headed kale and clovers are suit- 
 able. All these slioidd be top-dressed with from 100 to 
 200 pounds per acre of Nitrate of Soda, depending upon 
 the exhaustion of the soil. In our remarks on the use of 
 Xitiatc, we have taken it for granted that our readers 
 
Food for Plants, 23 
 
 fully miderstaiid that in all cases where Nitrate has been 
 recommended in large amounts, potash and phosphates 
 should be used also unless the soil already contains 
 ample supphes of both. 
 
 The most important material used to supply Nitrogen, 
 in the composition of commercial fertilizers is Nitrate of 
 Soda. Nitrate of Soda is particularly adapted for top- 
 dressing during the growing season, and is the quickest 
 acting of all the nitrogenous fertilizers. 
 
 Dried blood, tankage, azotine, fish scrap, castor pom- 
 ace, and cotton-seed meal represent fertilizers where the 
 Nitrogen is onh' slowly available, and they must be 
 appled in the fall so as to be decomposed and available 
 for the following season. Nitrogen in the form of Ni- 
 trate of 'Soda is available during the growing and fruit- 
 ing season, possessing, therefore, a decided advantage 
 over all other Nitrogen plant foods. 
 
 Chemical Composition of Soils. 
 
 Sandy soils may be described as soils containing 
 seventy-six (76) per cent, or more of sand. 
 
 Sandy loam is a soil containing seventy-five (75) per 
 cent, less of sand, and a loam is said to be a soil contain- 
 ing forty (40) to fifty-nine (59) per cent, of sand. 
 
 Clay loam runs between twenty-nine (29) to thirty- 
 nine (39) per cent, of sand, and a clay soil would be 
 described as a soil containing about sixty-one (61) per 
 cent, or more of clay. 
 
 A very rich soil may be described as a soil containing 
 2 per cent, of lime and 18.80 per cent, of potash and from 
 .02 to .10 per cent, of sulphuric acid, in the form of sul- 
 phate, and from .10 to .30 per cent, of phosphoric acid, 
 in the form of phosphates, with humus running from 
 1.20 per cent, to 2.20 per cent, and Nitrogen from .20 to 1 
 per cent. 
 
 According to French authorities a good soil would 
 contain .20 per cent, of Nitrogen and .20 per cent, of phos- 
 phoric acid, in the form of ])hospliates, and .30 per cent, 
 of potash. 
 
24 Food for Pt.ants. 
 
 Anything above these figures would be called very 
 rich. Very poor soil would average about .08 per cent, 
 of Nitrogen and .08 per cent of potash and .08 per cent, 
 of pho.s|)lioric acid with humus of .30 per cent. Anything 
 less than tliese figures would be very poor indeed. 
 
 The pounds of available fertility are reckoned to be 
 contained within eight (8) inches of the surface. The 
 weight of an acre generally would run about two thou- 
 sand (2,000) tons. 
 
 HOW MONEY CROPS FEED. 
 
 The substance of plants is largely 
 What the water and variations of woody iiber, yet 
 
 Food Is. these comprise no part of what is com- 
 
 monly understood as plant food. More 
 or less by accident was discovered the value of farm- 
 yard manures and general farm refuse and roughage as 
 a means of increasing the growth of plants. In the course 
 of time, the supply of these manures failed to equal the 
 need, and it became necessary to search for other means 
 of feeding plants. The steps in the search were many, 
 covering years of careful investigation, and as a result, 
 we have the established fact that the food of plants con- 
 sists of three different substances, Nitrogen, Potash, and 
 Phosphates. 
 
 These words are now popular names. 
 Its Principal and are used for the convenience of the 
 
 Elements, general public. Nitrate of Soda contains 
 
 Nitrate, an amount equivalent to about 15 per 
 
 Phosphoric cent, of Nitrogen, 300 pounds to the ton. 
 
 Acid, Potash. and cotton-seed meal, for example, about 
 
 6 per cent. More than three pounds of 
 cotton-seed meal are necessary to furnish as much avail- 
 able Nitrogen as one pound of Nitrate of Soda. We 
 value the ])lant food on the amount of Nitrate Nitrogen 
 it contains, and on this account Nitrate has become a 
 standard name for this element of plant food. In like 
 niaiiiier, phosphoric acid and potasli are siandards,hence 
 
Food foii Plants. 25 
 
 the importance of farmers and planters familiarizing 
 themselves with these expressions. We always should 
 think of fertilizers and manures as just so much Nitrate, 
 phosphoric acid and potash, as we can then at once com- 
 pare the usefulness of all fertilizer materials. No doubt, 
 other substances are necessary for the proper develop- 
 ment of crops, but soils so generally supply these in 
 ample quantities that they may safely be neglected in a 
 consideration of soil needs and plant foods. The food 
 of plants may therefore be understood to mean simply 
 Nitrate, Phosplioric Acid and Potash. 
 
 Farmyard manure acts in promoting 
 Why Farm- plant growth almost wholly because it 
 
 yard Manure contains those three substances ; green 
 
 and Other manuring is valuable for the same rea- 
 
 Products Are son and largely for that only. Various 
 
 Valuable. refuse substances, such as bone, wood 
 
 ashes, etc., contain one or more of these 
 plant food elements, and are valuable to the farmer and 
 planter on that account. 
 
 The Quality of Manures and Fertilizers. 
 
 AMiile plant food is always plant food, 
 Nitrate like all other things it possesses the limi- 
 
 Pre-digested tation of quality. Quality in plant food 
 
 Nitrogen. means the readiness Avith which plants 
 
 can make use of it. In a large sense, 
 this is dependent upon the solubility of the material con- 
 taining the plant food — not merely solubility in water, 
 but solubility in soil waters as well. Fertilizer sub- 
 stances freely soluble in water are generally of the high- 
 est quality, yet there are differences even in this. For 
 example, Nitrate of Soda is freely soluble in soil liquids 
 and water, and is the highest grade of plant food Nitro- 
 gen; sulphate of ammonia is also soluble in water, but 
 of distinctly lower quality because plants always use 
 Nitrogen in the Nitrate form, and the Nitrogen in sul- 
 phate of ammonia must l)e nitrated before plants can 
 
26 KoOl) Foil I' LA NTS. 
 
 make use of it. This is clone in the soil by the action of 
 certain ori>anisins, under favoral)le con- 
 Defects and ditions. Tlie weather must he suital)le, 
 Losses in the the soil in a certain condition; and he- 
 Use of Ordinary sides there are considerable losses of 
 Nitrogens. valuable substance in the natural soil 
 process of nitrating- such Nitrogen. By 
 unfavorable weather conditions, or very wet or acid soils, 
 nitration may be prevented until the season is too far 
 advanced, hence there may be loss of time, crop and 
 money. The quality of nitrogens, such 
 Intrinsic Values as cotton-seed meal, dried fish, dried 
 of All Nitrogens blood, and tankage, is limited by condi- 
 Based on tions similar to those which limit sul- 
 Nitrate as the phate of ammonia. With these sub- 
 Standard, stances, the loss of Nitrogen in its natu- 
 ral air and soil conversion into Nitrate 
 is very great. Perfectly authentic experiments, and made 
 under official supervision, have shown that 100 pounds 
 of Nitrogen in these organic forms have only from one- 
 half to three-fourths the manurial value of 100 pounds of 
 Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 Special Functions of Plant Food. 
 
 As stated before, plants must have all 
 Unusual three of the plant food elements — Ni- 
 
 Functions of trate, Phosphates and Potash — but not- 
 
 Nitrate. withstanding this imperative need, each 
 
 of the three elements has its special use. 
 There are many oases in which considerations of the 
 special functions of plant food elements become im- 
 ])ortant. For example, a soil may be rich in organic 
 anunonia from vegetable matter turned under as green 
 manure, and through a late wet spring fail to supply the 
 available Nitrate in time to get the crop well started 
 before the hot, dry, summer season sets in. In this case 
 the use of Nitrate of Soda alone will force growth to the 
 extent of fully establishing the crop against heat and 
 moderate drouth. 
 
I^"'()()|) hOll Pi, A NTS. 
 
 27 
 
 Top of Caliche Hopper; Carts Tipping Calielic. 
 
 Crystallizing Pans After Running OlT MullR't-litiuor, Showing Deposit 
 of Nitrate Crystals. 
 
2S I^'ooi) roij I'j.AN rs. 
 
 Nitrate as ])laiit food soenis to iullu- 
 Special Influ- cnce more especially the development of 
 
 ence of Nitrate stems, leaves, and roots, which are the 
 on Edible Value fi-aiii(>\\ork of the plant, while the for- 
 of Plant. inalioii of fruit buds is held in reserve. 
 
 This action is, of course, a necessary 
 preliminary to the maturity of the plant, and the broader 
 the framework, the greater the yield at maturity. The 
 color of the foliage is deepened, indicating health and 
 activity in the forces at work on the structure of the 
 plant. Nitrates also show markedly in the economic 
 value of the crop ; the more freely Nitrates are given to 
 ])laiits the greater the relative proportion in the com- 
 ])()sition of the plant itself, and the most valuable part 
 of all vegetable substances, for food purposes, is that 
 ])roduced by Nitrate of Soda. Nitrate is seldom used in 
 sufhcient quantities in the manufacture of " complete 
 fertilizers." 
 
 Potash as plant food seems to influence more particu- 
 larly the development of the woody parts of stems and 
 the pulp of fruits. In fact, this element of plant food 
 seems to supplement the action of Nitrate by filling out 
 the framework established by the latter. 
 
 Phosphoric acid as a plant food seems to influence 
 more particularly the maturity of plants and the produc- 
 tion of seed or grain. Its special use in practical agricul- 
 ture is to hel]) hasten the maturity of crops likely to bo 
 caught In- an early fall, and to supplement green manur- 
 ing where grain is to be grown. It is frequently used in 
 altogether unnecessary excess in " complete " fertilizers. 
 
 The natural plant food of the soil comes from many 
 sources, but chiefly from decaying vegetable matter and 
 the weathering of the mineral matter of the soil. Both 
 these processes supply potash and phos- 
 Sources of phoric acid, hut only the former siqjpUrs 
 
 Natural Plant Nitrate. Whether the soil has been fer- 
 Food. tilized or not, there are certain signs 
 
 which indicate the need of plant food 
 more or less early in the growth of the crop. If a crop 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 29 
 
 Packing: Nitrate into Bags. 
 
 Tjoadinii' Lighters. 
 
30 l^\)(ti) !-()u Plants. 
 
 appears to make a slow growtli, or seems sickly in color, 
 it does not greatly matter whether the soil is deficient in 
 Xiti-ate or simply that the Nitrogen present has not been 
 nitrated and so is not available, the remedy lies in the use 
 of the immediately available form of Nitrate of Soda. 
 
STAPLE CROPS. 
 
 Cotton and Fiber Plants. 
 
 Cotton is profitably gro^\^l on nearly all kinds of soil, 
 but does best perhaps on a strong, sandy loam. On light 
 uplands the yield is light, but with a fair proportion of 
 lint; on heavy bottom lands the groAvth may be heavy, 
 but the proportion of lint to the whole plant much 
 reduced. 
 
 The preparation of the soil must be even and thor- 
 ough. About one bushel of seed per acre is the usual 
 allowance. 
 
 Many fertilizer formulas have b§en recommended, and 
 by all kinds of authority, and green manuring is widely 
 advised as a means of helping to get a supply of cheap 
 Nitrogen; but, with this crop especially, cheap forms of 
 Nitrogen are very dear. 
 
 [31] 
 
o2 l^'doi) I'oli I^.Wl's. 
 
 REPORT ON ALABAMA COTTON PRIZE EXPERIMENTS 
 WITH CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS. 
 
 Extended experiments have been made from year to 
 year by all the Experhnent Stations in the various cot- 
 ton-growing- states with a view to arriving at the fer- 
 tilizer requirements of the cotton plant under the varying 
 conditions of soil and climate which are met nith 
 throughout the cotton belt, and the needs of the plant for 
 the various essential fertilizing elements have been de- 
 termined with comparative accuracy. 
 
 The farmer, himself, however, is often inclined to pay 
 little attention to the forms in which the fertilizing ele- 
 ments are applied, even though he may employ sufficient 
 quantities of a given mixed fertilizer to supply the 
 proper quota of each element. As a matter of fact, the 
 selection of a proper form or forms in which to supply 
 the needed plant foods will, in many cases, determine 
 the success of the application of a given formula to the 
 crop, and too much care and attention cannot be given 
 to this important question. 
 
 Many of the formulas for cotton and corn which are 
 in use throughout the cotton-growing states supply pro- 
 portions of Nitrogen, and, in some cases, of potash, which 
 are far below the fertilizer requirements of the crop, 
 w^hile as before stated little attention is given to the 
 matter of supplying these elements in forms most avail- 
 able for the needs of the plant. 
 
 Analyses of the cotton plant, made at the South Caro- 
 lina, Mississippi and Alabama Experiment Stations, 
 show the needs of the plant for liberal supplies of Nitro- 
 gen and of potash, particularly of the former element, 
 since our average cotton soils are, as a rule, so poorly 
 supplied with it. 
 
 At the Albama Experiment Station in 1899 (Bulletin 
 107), analyses were made of all portions of the cotton 
 plant at various stages of growth, including the plant at 
 full maturity. The weight of the various fertilizing con- 
 stituents contained in the whole plant grown on one acre, 
 and producing a ci'op ('(jnivnleid lo HOO ])()niids dry 
 
Food for Plants. 33 
 
 lint cotton per acre, was also carefully ascertained by 
 analyses and calculation, the figures being presented in 
 the following table. 
 
 The weight of Nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potash, and 
 lime contained in a crop producing 300' pounds of lint is 
 given, and the relative distribution of these constituents 
 through different parts of the plant is also presented. 
 The weights of the different parts of the plant in a thor- 
 oughly dried condition are also given, and it will be noted 
 that the total dry iveiglit of the crop required to yield 
 300 pounds of lint is 2,470.8 pounds. 
 
 Table VIII. 
 
 Amounts of Fertilizer Constituents in Pounds Reqiiired to Produce a 
 Crop of 300 Pounds of Lint. 
 
 Phosphoric 
 Nitrogen Acid Potash Lime 
 
 Lint — SOOlbs 0.54 €.27 1.77 0.21 
 
 Seed — 507.1 lbs 17.95 7.10 5.73 1.52 
 
 Burrs — 363.1 lbs 2 .99 1 . 74 11 . 22 4 . 14 
 
 Leaves — 566.2 lbs 12.64 2.70 6.13 29.90 
 
 Roots — 130.2 lbs 0.62 0.34 1.17 0.59 
 
 Stems — 604.2 lbs 3.87 1.27 5.14 4.71 
 
 Total — 2,470.8 lbs.... 38.61 13.42 31.16 41.07 
 
 It appears from this table that to produce 300 pounds 
 of dry lint there are required 38.61 pounds of Nitrogen, 
 13.42 pounds of phosphoric acid, 31.16 pounds of potash 
 and 41.07 pounds of lime. 
 
 The need of the cotton plant for liberal amounts of 
 Nitrogen being thus indicated by laboratory tests, the 
 writer has during the past two seasons supervised and 
 directed a series of experiments upon the farm of Mr. 
 J. C. Moore, near Auburn, Alabama, who was desirous 
 of securing a formula adajjted to the growing of cotton 
 upon the sandy soil of his farm and of the immediate 
 section in which he resided. 
 
 This soil is designated by the U. S. Soil Survey of this 
 region as the " Norfolk Sandy Loam." It is described 
 in the official report of the soil survey of Lee county as 
 
34 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 follows: " The Norfolk Sandy Loam is an easily tilled 
 soil and the best for g-eneral fanning of any of the Nor- 
 folk types in this country. It is well adapted to cotton 
 and when fertilized produces fair yields of corn and oats, 
 'l^he lightest phase is well adapted to the production of 
 potatoes, berries and iiuck crops. The soil needs organic 
 matter which may he supplied ])y green or stal)h' 
 manure." 
 
 The cotton expt'rimcnts conducted upon Uie farm of 
 Mr. j\loore were carried out upon several ])lots aggre- 
 gating in area two-thirds of an acre. 
 
 Products of Plots, 1905. 
 
 Yields oi bet'd C'oUon. 
 
 Plot 1. Plot 3. Plot 4. 
 
 750 lbs. 1, 272 lbs. 1, 440 lbs. 
 
 The land, after proper preparation, was laid off in 
 rows seventy yards in length, while the distance between 
 the rows was so adjusted that ten rows would constitute 
 a plot of one-sixth of an acre. Two blank rows were left 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 35 
 
 between the individual plots so that the fertilizers applied 
 to one plot would not have any undue effect upon the 
 adjacent plots. 
 
 Plot No. 1 was fertilized by the application of an acid 
 phosphate containing 14 per cent, available phosphoric 
 acid and 4 per cent, potash, this fertilizer l)eing applied 
 at the rate of 300 pounds per acre. 
 
 Products of Plots, 1906. 
 
 Yields of Seed Cotton. 
 
 Plot 1. Plot 3. Plot 4. 
 
 930 lbs. 1, 284 lbs. 1, 77G lbs. 
 
 The remaining three experimental plots of ten rows 
 each (covering an area of one-sixth acre each) w^ere also 
 fertilized by the application of the same quantity of the 
 above mentioned acid phosphate containing potash, and, 
 in addition, Nitrate of Soda was applied to plots 2, 3 and 
 4 in the proportions of 42, 84 and 126 pounds per acre, 
 respectively, while no Nitrate or other form of Nitrogen 
 was applied to plot No. 1. 
 
36 Food rnn Pt.axtp. 
 
 The yields per acre for the different plots for the years 
 1905 and IDOG were as follows : 
 
 1905 750 ll)s. seed cotton. 1,110 lbs. 1,272 lbs. 1, 440 lbs. 
 
 1900 9:^0 lbs. seed cotton. 900 lbs. 1,284 ll)s. 1,776 11)S. 
 
 As above stated, all of these plots were fertilized 
 equally as regards the amount of phosphoric acid and 
 potash, so that the effects of sui)plying or withholding 
 Nitrate of Soda could be easily noted. 
 
 It will be noted that the increased yields are particu- 
 larly striking in the case of the application of 84 and 126 
 pounds of Nitrate. On plot 2, in 1906, the yield was 
 practically the same as that on plot 1, but this was due to 
 the fact that a few rows in plot 2, owing to the stand on a 
 part of the plot being not so good and possibly on 
 account of some other condition, brought down the aver- 
 age yield per row of that plot. A majority of the rows 
 of that i)lot, however, undoubtedly gave a better yield 
 than plot No. 1, and it was apparent to the eye that most 
 of this plot was superior to plot No. 1. 
 
 In 1905 it was noted that the cotton grown upon the 
 " No Nitrate " plot rusted quite badly, while plots 3 
 and 4, upon which an abundance of Nitrate had been 
 applied, were almost immune from rust. 
 
 In addition to experiments in which the Nitrate was 
 applied at a single application, tests were made upon 
 some smaller plots to note the elTects of the application 
 of the Nitrate in two different applications, the second 
 application being made about sixty days after planting. 
 It was found that there was only a slight difference in 
 the relative yields, but this slight difference was in favor 
 of the two applications. It is doubtful, however, if the 
 increase would have justied the additional cost and labor 
 of the second a])plication. 
 
 Experimental tests upon small lots of the seed cotton 
 produced in 1906, showed that the yield of lint was about 
 34.4 per cent, of the weight of the seed cotton, but no 
 data was secured with regard to the proportionate yield 
 of lint ill 1905. Applying these figures to the excess yield 
 
Food i-'OR ]^laxts, o7 
 
 of seed cotton by reason of the application of 126 pounds 
 Nitrate, it will be found that there was an increase of 
 about 238 pounds lint cotton (690 pounds seed cotton) 
 over the yield on the " No Nitrate " plot in 1905 and an 
 increase of 291 pounds lint cotton (846 seed cotton) in 
 1906. At 10 cents per pound, the increased value of the 
 lint cotton vield bv applying 126 pounds Nitrate would 
 be $23.80 for 1905 and $29.10 for 1906, to say nothing of 
 the value of the increased yield of seed which would 
 amount to from $3 to $-4, or even more in later years. 
 
 With regard to the time and manner of application of 
 the Nitrate in the experiments of the past two 3-ears, it 
 should be stated that in 1905 the fertilizers were applied 
 and the cotton planted on April 27th, wdiile in 1906 the 
 date of planting and application of fertilizers was April 
 21st. The Nitrate was applied in the furrow along with 
 the fertilizing materials at the time of planting. 
 
 The views given, herewith, will aiTord an idea of the 
 comparative yields from plots 1, 3 and 4 in 1905 and 1906. 
 The quantities of seed cotton represented therein are 
 equal to the yields on one-twelfth of an acre. 
 
 In this connection it should be stated that Mr. Moore 
 gave a large amount of care and attention to these experi- 
 ments. By his close personal supervision of the work, 
 the details of the experiments have been secured and 
 most accurately recorded. 
 
 Upon comparing the results of these experiments with 
 the results of the Nitrate of Soda tests reported in the 
 January, 1907, Bulletin of the North Carolina Depart- 
 ment of Agriculture, it will be noted that the general con- 
 clusions which may be drawn from the two sets of 
 experiments are practically the same. A number of the 
 experiments were carried out under almost identical 
 conditions, though the North Carolina plots were some- 
 what smaller in area, being one-tenth acre area each, 
 while the Alabama plots were one-sixth of an acre. 
 
 As an average of the two years' results, the most 
 profitable application, it is stated, was upon the plot 
 receiving 200 pounds acid phosphate, 83 pounds kainit 
 
38 Foon roii Plants. 
 
 and lOU iJoiuuU Nitrate of Soda, 25 pounds of the Nitrate 
 being applied with otlier materials at planting, and the 
 remaining 75 pounds reserved and used as a side dress- 
 ing some two months or more later. This mixture gave 
 an average proiit of $21.94 per acre for two years above 
 the yield secured from a plot fertilized with acid phos- 
 phate and kainit alone, while with oidy 75 pounds Nitrate 
 of Soda per acre an increased yield valued at $19.26 was 
 secured ! 
 
 In the experiments conducted near Auburn, Alabama, 
 no tests were made with quantities of Nitrate of Soda 
 intermediate between 84 and 126 pounds per acre, thougli 
 it is possible that a quantity somewhat less than 126 
 pounds might have given practically as satisfactory re- 
 sults as those reported for the maximum applications 
 of Nitrate. In any event, the results of these tests and 
 of other tests upon similar lands in this section show 
 that excellent results may be secured by the application 
 of from 100 to 125 pounds of Nitrate of Soda per acre, in 
 conjunction with the pro^jer quota of acid phosphate and 
 some salt of potash. 
 
 The Rational Use of Nitrate of Soda on Cotton in Fighting the 
 
 Boll Weevil. 
 
 Some critics of Nitrate have claimed that it made such 
 a bushy growth of the cotton plant, that it had shaded the 
 bottom part of the plant where most of the cotton is pro- 
 duced under Weevil conditions. 
 
 Where any Nitrogenous fertilizer is used in excess, too 
 leafy a growth is apt to result, and excessive quantities 
 of Nitrate, or indeed of any fertilizers, are not recom- 
 mended. 
 
 Quinine is a wonderful remedy, but no one would 
 advise the use of forty grains of it when four grains 
 would be sufficient and satisfactory in every way. 
 
 Practice early and thorough preparation of the soil so 
 as to get a good seed bed for quick germination and 
 vigorous early growth of the cotton. 
 
Food for Plants. 39 
 
 Cotton should be forced as rapidly as possible in its 
 early growth, especially where the Boil Weevil has been 
 long established. An early application of Nitrate is 
 regarded as very helpful in accomplishing this result. 
 
 An intelligent rotation is recommended for reducing 
 damage from the Boll "Weevil. 
 
 Our cotton fertihzer formula, given in the following 
 text, is believed to be a sound one, and when Nitrate is 
 applied early and an early variety of cotton is used, it is 
 believed that such a proceeding is one of the best with 
 which to meet the Boll Weevil situation, and that profit- 
 able returns will be made. 
 
 Early Versus Late Applications of Nitrate of Soda to Cotton 
 
 The following figures of averages 
 Proof prove positively that early applications 
 
 Positive. of Nitrate of Soda to Cotton give the 
 
 best results. 
 
 1919-1920- 1921 
 
 Average increase of 23 early applications, 1919 90.22% 
 
 Average increase of 15 late applications, 1919 42 . 02% 
 
 Average increase of 8 early applications, 1020. . . . 197.35% 
 
 Average increase of 4 late applications, 1920 35.50% 
 
 Average increase of 7 early applications, 1921. . . . 61.44% 
 
 Average increase of 2 late applications, 1921 16.30% 
 
 Average increase of 38 early applications, 1919- 
 
 2921 115 . 21% 
 
 Averao-e increase of 21 late applications, 1919- 
 
 1921 31 .27% 
 
 April l-:Mav 11, inclusive, are " Early " applications. 
 May 12-Jnne 26, inclusive, are " Late " applications. 
 
 Instructions for Usin^ Nitrate of Soda on Cotton. 
 
 Cotton is one of the oldest of the 
 
 Origin of cultivated plants and is the most 
 
 Cotton. valuable fibre in the world. It probably 
 
 orio'inated in India or China. It was 
 
 first cultivated in the United States in Virginia. 
 
40 Food I'on L'i.axts. 
 
 AIUt having .sclecled the right 
 The Right, variety for your locality, the best speci- 
 
 Variety. mens ol" llu' plants should be saved for 
 
 seed. There is a growing demand for 
 the long staple upland varieties. It is just as easy and 
 twice as profitable to feed the thorough-bred plants as 
 it is to feed the low grade lint producer. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda is the best top dresser 
 Nitrate for cotton. Other materials and l)rands 
 
 of Soda may be offered at less cost per ton, but 
 
 Best for they as a rule do not contain as much 
 
 Cotton. available Nitrogen as is necessary for 
 
 eoiton. They are frequently only very 
 slowly available and recpiire a heavier rate of applica- 
 tion, resulting in much higher cost per acre and lower 
 efficiency. 
 
 Cotton land should be prepared very early, and 
 thorough deep plowing and cultivation are necessary up 
 to the time the squares form. 
 
 Some planters sow crimson clover at the last cultiva- 
 tion of the cotton which protects the soil from washing 
 during the following winter, and provides a certain 
 amount of forage for animals. If the preceding crop 
 is crimson clover it should be i3lowed under about the 
 middle of February. 
 
 About the time of planting cotton in 
 Time to the spring, apply the Nitrate of Soda by 
 
 Apply broadcasting it evenly by hand or by 
 
 Nitrate. machine, over the entire surface of the 
 
 cotton field you are fertilizing, at the 
 rate of 150 pounds per acre, which in bulk is equal to 
 about li/o bushels. 
 
 We recommend, wherever possible, the application of 
 Nitrate just before the last harro^^^ng of the land before 
 seeding. If this is not possible or convenient, then broad- 
 cast before the first cultivation of the cotton. If the tim.e 
 for these earlier applications has passed, apply just 
 before the last cultivation. If put on before planting 
 
Food for Plants. 4l 
 
 time, it should be harrowed in ; it* put on after planting, 
 it should be cultivated in. 
 
 Should the Nitrate become hard, it can readily be pul- 
 verized with the back of a shovel, or with a mallet, or it 
 may be crushed on a barn floor by using a heavy post as 
 a roller. 
 
 Foiimila for Cvtlon 
 
 Nitrate alone 150 lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Nitrate 200 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 200 " '' " 
 
 When potash salts can conveniently be obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre every other year. 
 
 WMt Nitrate Has Done in the Planters' Oun Hands 
 
 H. F. Lyle, Soiiierville, Ala. : 
 
 " Plot with Nitrate produced 207 ll)s. Cotton. Plot without Nitrate 
 produced 87 lbs. Cotton. 
 
 " Nitrate plot did not shed off fruit in dry weather like the other 
 plot, — in fact, did not shed any. One-tliird larger stalk. Did not 
 have more than half stand on plots." 
 
 B. F. White, Olive Br-anch, Louisiana: 
 
 " Plot with Nitrate produced 90 lbs. Cotton. Plot without Nitrate 
 produced 36 lbs. Cotton. 
 
 " The Nitrate of Soda Cotton matured before the Boll Weevil 
 affected it. I consider it the best I ever used,— ahead of any for 
 this climate." 
 
 In Alabama the use of 126 pounds of Nitrate per acre 
 for two successive seasons gave an average increased 
 yield of 768 pounds of seed cotton per acre; or an 
 increased yield of lint of 256 pounds per acre in addition 
 to the seed yield of 512 pounds for the same area. 
 
 When Nitrate of Soda is appUed 
 
 earlv in the season to cotton, as it pre- 
 
 Nitrate ferablv should be, early maturity re- 
 
 Gives Best ^^^^^ • ^^^ ^^^^ apphcations of any 
 
 Results nitrogenous fertilizer will delay its 
 
 from Early , ^. , 
 
 . .. . maturitv. 
 
 Application. j^ ^^_^^ planter has been badly advised, 
 
 and in consequence applies his nitro- 
 genous fertilizer too late, he should not blame the fer- 
 
42 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 tilizi'i- for his colloii liaviii.u' 1)ohavo(l contrary to nature's 
 intent. 
 
 What is needed most is to secure conii)h'te maturity 
 of the cotton l)i'f()re tlu' sliort days of eai'ly autumn 
 arrive. 
 
 Tobacco. 
 
 The value of tobacco depends so much upon its grade, 
 and the grade so much upon tlie soil and climate, as well 
 as fertilization, that general rules for tobacco culture 
 
 No Nitnifc. Virginia Exporiments. 1(10 ll)s. Nitrate of Soda Per Acre. 
 
 should not !)(' mathematically laid down. Leaving out 
 special kinds, such as Perique, the simplest classification 
 of tobacco is as follows: Cigar. — Tobacco for cigar 
 manufacture, grown chiefly in Connecticut and Wiscon- 
 sin. McDiiifacturing. — Tobacco manufactured into plug, 
 
Food for Plants. 43 
 
 or tlie various forms for pipe smoking and cigarettes. 
 All kinds of tobacco have the same general habits of 
 growth, but the two classes mentioned liave very differ- 
 ent plant food requirements. 
 
 Cigar tobaccos generallj^ require a rather light soil; 
 the manufacturing kinds prefer heavy, fertile soils. In 
 either case, the soil must be clean, deeply broken, and 
 thoroughly pulverized. Fall plowing is always practiced 
 on heavy lands, or lands new to tobacco culture. To- 
 bacco may be safely grown on the same land year after 
 year. The plant must be richly fertilized; it has thick, 
 fleshy roots, and comparatively little foraging power — 
 that is, ability to send out roots over an extensive tract 
 of soil in search of plant food. 
 
 Fertilizer for tobacco is used in quantities per acre as 
 low as 400 pounds of high grade and as much as 3,000 
 pounds of low grade. While the production of leaf nuiy 
 be greatly increased by the use of Nitrate, the other plant 
 food elements should also be used to secure a well ma- 
 tured crop. In the case of cigar tobaccos. Nitrate may be 
 used exclusively as the source of Nitrogen as it is diffi- 
 cult to secure a thoroughly matured leaf unless the sup- 
 ply of digestible Nitrogen is more or less under control, 
 a condition not practicable with ordinary fertilizers. 
 
 Tobacco growing is special farming, and should be 
 carefully studied before starting in as a planter. For 
 small plantations, the plants are best bought of a regu- 
 lar seedsman. The cultivation is always clean, and an 
 earth mulch from two to three inches in depth should be 
 maintained — that is, the surface soil to that depth kept 
 thoroughly pulverized. 
 
 At the Kentucky Experiment Station, experiments 
 were made mth fertilizers on Burley Tobacco. The land 
 was " deficient in natural drainage," so that the fertil- 
 izers could hardly be expected to have their full effect. 
 Yet, as will be seen by the following table, the profits 
 from the use of the fertilizers were enormous : 
 
44 Food for Plants. 
 
 Ej})eri))ien(s on Tobacco at the Kentucky Experiment Station. 
 
 Value of 
 
 Yield of tobacco — pounds. tobacco 
 
 Fertilizer per acre. BriKlit. Red. Luks. Tips. Trash. Total. per acre. 
 
 1. Xo manure 1200 3G0 (iO 540 1,160 $07. '20 
 
 •J. KiO lbs. Xilrate of 
 
 Soda 2;«) If)!) :{10 90 530 1,010 138.40 
 
 3. 100 lbs. snip, of 
 
 l)otash; 100 ll)s. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda. 190 755 (i05 120 140 1,810 190.45 
 
 4. .320 lbs. super- 
 
 pliospliato; 100 
 lbs. sulp. of pot- 
 ash; 160 lbs. Ni- 
 trate of Soda... 310 810 420 10 3(i() 2,00(1 2111.20 
 
 " The tobacco was assorted by an expert and the prices 
 given as follows: Bright and red, fifteen cents per 
 pound; lugs, six cents per pound; tips, eight cents per 
 ])ound; trash, two cents per pound." 
 
 One hundred and sixty pounds Nitrate of Soda, costing 
 about $3.75, increased the value of the crop $71.20 per 
 acre ! 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Soda on Tobacco. 
 
 Just before setting out plants, apply the Nitrate of 
 Soda by broadcasting it evenly, by machine, or by hand, 
 over the entire surface of the tobacco field you are fer- 
 tilizing, at the rate of 150 pounds per acre. One hundred 
 and fifty pounds of Nitrate is equal in bulk to about one 
 and one-half bushels. 
 
 Formula for Tohacco. 
 
 Nitrate alone ITjO lbs. per acre 
 
 or prefei'a))ly 
 
 Nitrate '. 200 lbs. per acre 
 
 Acid Phosphate 200 lbs. per acre 
 
 When potash salts can conveniently be obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty i)ounds of sulphate of potash to 
 tlie acre everv other vear. 
 
Food for Plants, 45 
 
 FERTILIZERS FOR CORN. 
 
 Corn varies in yield of grain per acre, according to 
 the character of the soil upon which it is growTi, the loca- 
 tion of its growth and the variety used. Soils best suited 
 for corn culture are rich, deep loams, naturally well 
 drained and located in those regions where the average 
 temperatures during the growing months of May to Sep- 
 tember, inclusive, reach from 75 degrees to 80 degrees 
 Fahr. That is, the best climatic conditions do not depend 
 upon average annual temperature, but upon the high 
 temperature maintained during these growing months. 
 The growing season will, however, varj' also in different 
 sections of the country, ranging from 90 to 160 days, 
 and varieties exist which are adapted to these different 
 growing periods. The yield is also, of course, influenced 
 by moisture, depending again not altogether upon the 
 total rainfall, but upon the requisite amounts that may 
 be depended upon from May to September, the growing 
 months. The plants need high temperatures and maxi- 
 mum rainfalls throughout July and August, with clear, 
 sunshiny weather between rains. 
 
 The variety also has a direct influence upon the 
 yield of the crop, and work done recently in the matter 
 of corn breeding and selection has very considerably 
 broadened the area of profitable culture. The Flint 
 varieties are more suitable for the northern sections, and 
 the Dent varieties for the central and southern sections 
 of the United States. 
 
 The Object of Growth — Grain. 
 
 Corn is grown mainly for its grain, and for this reason 
 the greatest attention has been given to the development 
 of varieties that mil yield the largest proportion of grain 
 to stalk; because, however, of the increasing use of corn 
 as a forage plant, much attention has recently been given 
 to the varieties adapted for soiling and for silage. 
 
 In growing corn for these dilTerent purposes, different 
 methods are adopted. When the main object is to secure 
 grain, varieties are selected which produce large, uni- 
 
4(i 
 
 iMtOI) I-'( 
 
 )R Plants. 
 
 foiiii c.-irs, with (IcH'p i»Taiiis. In order to iiisuro its 
 proixT (U'vclopiiieiit and ripening, it is planted prcfor- 
 a))ly in hills, at such distances as w ill permit a maximmn 
 amount of sunshine to reach all i)arts of the plant, and 
 so cultivated as to encourage the largest use of food from 
 soil sources. In other words, every precaution is taken 
 
 Fertilizer, 300 Pounds per Acre Fertilizer, 300 Pounds per Acre 
 Minerals and 150 pounds per Minerals Only. 
 
 Acre Nitrate of Soda. Rate of Yield, 80 Bushels Ears 
 
 Kate of Yield, 100 Bushels Ears per Acre, poor quality, 
 
 per Acre, excellent quality. 
 
 to insure the largest proportion of ripened grain; the 
 stalks often being regarded as a by-product of little 
 value. In fact, in many parts of the country the stalks 
 are not utilized as they should be, although wdien well 
 cured they are equivalent in food value, on the dry mat- 
 ter basis, to good timothy hay. 
 
 In planting Indian corn for grain we doubtless often 
 plant the seed too thick. 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 47 
 
 Silage. 
 
 When grown for silage, the object is to secure the 
 largest amount of digestible matter per acre. Hence, 
 varieties with larger stalk and leaf are generally used 
 and the corn planted much closer together and thicker 
 in the rows, but not so thick as to prevent many of the 
 stalks from producing ears. When cut when the ears 
 are beginning to glaze, good crops will oftentimes yield 
 as much as 5,000 to 6,000 pounds of dry matter per acre. 
 Larger amounts of plant food than for grain are re- 
 quired, as a rule, in order that the vegetative functions 
 may be increased, hence on most soils, even in a good 
 state of fertility, applications of fertilizers are neces- 
 sary, more particularly those containing Nitrogen. 
 
 One Hundred Bushels i>i Ears of Corn per Acre, Before Harvesting. 
 
 Soiling. 
 
 In growing corn for soiling, the object is to obtain 
 the largest amount of succulent food per acre, which may 
 be completely eaten by the animal. Hence, for soiling, 
 quick-growing varieties, ^\^th a large proportion of leaf 
 and small stalks, are grown and planted thicker than for 
 silage, and still greater care in the use of manures and 
 fertilizers is required in order to enable the plant to 
 absorb food throughout its entire growth. 
 
48 
 
 Food kor Pj.ants. 
 
 Sweet Com. 
 
 Wlic'ii sweet varieties are grown, the objeet is to obtain 
 a large number of ears suitable for the table. The sweet 
 varieties are less hardy and vigorous than the ordinary 
 lield varieties, and are better adapted for light soils, 
 hence the treatment is still different from that used w^hen 
 grown for the purposes already mentioned. The grain 
 is not planted ordinarily until the soil is thoroughly 
 warm, and the temperature is likely to continue high 
 and, because better suited for light soils, special fertiliza- 
 tion is necessary. 
 
 Com and Oats, New York Exi)erimeutal Fields. 
 
 INDIAN CORN (MAIZE) EXPERIMENTS. 
 
 New York State, Seasons of 1918 and of 1919. 
 
 Experiments in New York State car- 
 Experiments in ried on wnth maize ensilage, or Indian 
 New York State, corn, show that whilst the return ui 
 value of the increased crop is not ex- 
 cessive owing, no doubt, to the lateness of the fertilizer 
 application, notable crop increases were obtained. 
 
Food for Plants. 49 
 
 The late fertilizer application was 
 Late Fertilizer used in this case advisedly to check up 
 Applications Not this practice which is followed by many 
 Generally farmers, and which is rather against 
 
 Advisable. our general advice as to very late dress- 
 
 ings of Nitrate. Earlier applications on 
 corn, we are confident, will prove to be more profitable. 
 
 Among interesting items secured are 
 Efficiency of the yields of protein per acre as tabu- 
 
 Nitrate Alone. lated in the following tables. It is not- 
 able that the total ash mineral residue 
 per acre removed from the plot on which Nitrate alone 
 was used is less than on the check plot, and that the 
 exhaustion of phosphoric acid, potash and lime was at a 
 low^er rate per acre on the Nitrate plot than on the check 
 plot. Notable also is the fact that the rate of yield of 
 protein was low^er on the check plot and also on the acid 
 phosphate alone plot than on the Nitrate plot. Protein 
 is, of course, a factor of very high food value for dairy 
 stock. 
 
 The results speak well for Nitrate not 
 Use of Nitrate exhausting soil fertility as to its mineral 
 Alone Not essentials. It confirms the idea that soil 
 
 Exhaustive of exliaustion proceeds more rapidly when 
 Soil Fertility, no fertilizers are used as compared with 
 their rational use. 
 
 Reports on Expcrimcittdl Work on Maize Ensilage. 
 191S. 
 
 Crop — Maize Ensilage. 
 
 Variety — Half State Corn; Half (iokl Nugget. 
 Location — Chenango County, New York. 
 Soil — Bottom land. 
 
 Cultivations — Three. ' 
 
 Climate — Short season ; high altitude, 1,000 feet. 
 Weather — Cool ; latter jiart of summer drought. 
 Date of Application of Fertilizer — July 5, 1918. 
 Date of Harvesting — September 16, 1918. 
 Size of Plots — 1/4 acre. 
 
 Rate of Application Per Acre — 250 lbs. Nitrate of Soda ; 400 ll)s. 
 Acid Phosphate. 
 
 Fertilizers Used — Nitrate of Soda and Acid Pliosi)hate. 
 
 Cost of Fertilizer Per Acre — Plot 1, $12; plot 2, $8; plot 3, $4. 
 
50 b'ooD run I'j.anits. 
 
 C'r<i/> in Poioids Per Acre. 
 
 J{atp of Applira- Hatp of.Crop 
 
 Plot N'os. Table No. 1 tioii Per Acre Yields per Plot. Yield.s per Acre. 
 
 1. Nitrate of Soda 250 lbs. 7,120 lbs. 28,480 lbs. 
 
 and 
 
 Ai-id PIu)si)liale 400 lbs. 
 
 2. Nitrato alone 250 lbs. 6,610 lbs. 26,440 lbs. 
 
 *:5. Acid Phosphate alone... 400 lbs. 6,030 lbs. 24,120 lbs. 
 
 4. Check — nothing 6,290 lbs. 25,160 lbs. 
 
 Pounds Per Acre of Essential Fertility Removed by Crop. 
 
 Plot Nos. Table No. II Phosphoric Acid. Potash. Nitrogen. 
 
 1. Nitrate of Soda and Acid 
 
 Phosphate .38.45 11)8. 91.99 lbs. 46.28 lbs. 
 
 2. Nitrate alone 34.64 lbs. 82.76 lbs. 42.97 lbs. 
 
 .3. Acid Pho.sphate alone... .33.29 lbs. 81.53 lbs. 39.20 lbs. 
 
 4. Check — nothing 37.24 lbs. 94.35 lbs. 40.89 lb.s. 
 
 Pounds Per Acre of Protein and Ash (Minerals) and Lime Removed 
 
 by Crop. 
 
 Plot Nos. Table No. Ill Protein. Ash. Lime. 
 
 1. Nitrate of Soda and Acid 
 
 Phosphate 506 . 9 lbs. 336 . 1 lbs. 17 . 94 lbs. 
 
 2. Nitrate alone 499.7 lbs. 290.8 lbs. 14.81 lbs. 
 
 3. Acid Phosphate alone... 465.5 lbs. 282.2 lbs. 18.09 lbs. 
 
 4. Check — nothing 462.9 lbs. 299.4 lbs. 19.88 lbs. 
 
 1919. 
 
 Crop — Maize Ensilage. 
 
 Variety — Golden Nugget. 
 
 Location — Chenango County, New York. 
 
 Soil — Clay loam. 
 
 Cultivations — Three. 
 
 Climate — Temjaerate; 1,000 feet above sea. 
 
 Weather — Cloudv ; wet. 
 
 Amount of Fertilizer Per Plot — 20, 40 and 80 lbs. 
 
 Method of Cultivation — Horse cultivator and by hand hoeing. 
 
 Date of Application of Fertilizer- — June 5, 1919, for plots 1, 2, 3 
 and 4; and June 5 and 24 for plots 5 and 6, when corn was 9 inches 
 high. 
 
 Date of Harvesting — September 15, 1919. 
 
 Size of Plot — 1/10 acre, plots 1, 2, 3 and 4; 1/20 acre, plots 5 and 6. 
 
 Rate of Application Per Acre — 200 lbs., 400 lbs. and 600 lbs. 
 
 Fertilizers Used — Nitrate of Soda and Acid Phosphate. 
 
 Cost of Fertilizer Per Acre— $26.40. 
 
 Method of Applying — Broadcast, cultivated in immediately. 
 
 *Acid Phosphate alone appears to have diminished the crop here as 
 if did in the case of our sugar cane in Porto Rico. 
 
l^\)oi) ]''()R Plants. 51 
 
 Crop ill Punnds Per Acre. 
 
 Rate of Rate of Crop 
 
 Application Crop Yields Yields per 
 
 Plot Nos. Table No. I per Acre. per Plot. Acre. 
 
 1. Nitrate of Soda ^ 
 
 and I 400 4,180 41,800 
 
 Acid Phosphate J 
 
 2. Nitrate alone 400 4,100 11.000 
 
 3. Acid Phosphate ah)ne 400 2,840 28,400 
 
 4. Check — nothinc,^ 2,820 28,200 
 
 5. NaN03 and P^Oo 200 each 
 
 June 5, 
 
 1919; 
 
 200 each 
 
 June 24, 
 
 1919.. 1,780 35,600 
 
 6. NaNOa and BOo 200 each 
 
 June 5, 
 
 1919; 
 400 each 
 June 24, 
 
 1919.. 2,040 40,800 
 
 Pounds Per Acre of Protein and Minerals Removed bij Crop. 
 
 Phosphoric 
 
 Plot Nos. Tabic No. II Acid. Potash. Protein. N;trogen. 
 
 1. Nitrate of Soda ^ 
 
 and U7.23 95.30 689.7 110.3 
 
 Acid Phosphate J 
 
 2. Nitrate alone 38.06 109.06 471.5 /5.4 
 
 3. Acid Phosphate alone 56 . 99 7 7. 25 289 .4 46 . 3 
 
 4. Cheek — nothing 31.58 62.89 377.3 61.1 
 
 5. NaNOa and P.0= 47.70 75.83 585.2 93.6 
 
 6. NaNOa and P.0= 56.71 102.82 739.7 118.3 
 
 Pounds Per Acre of Minerals Removed by Crop. 
 
 Plot Nos. Table No. Ill Ash. I.ime. 
 
 1. Ntate^of So.,a | ^^^ ^ .^^ „^ 
 
 Acid Phosphate 1 
 
 2. Nitrate alone fl^-^^ f-^^ 
 
 3. Acid Phosphate alone •^;^--- -^-^r 
 
 4. Check -nothing 293.0 2..3o 
 
 5. NaNOs and P.0= -JH^? ^5.57 
 
 6. NaNOa and P.O^ 472.1 
 
 34.68 
 
52 Food fou Pj.ants. 
 
 PoiDuh Per Acre of Essential Fertilizer InijrcdieiUs Added to the Suit 
 in the Fertilizers Used. 
 
 1919. 
 
 Pot;ish in 
 Rate of NitiMtc 
 
 Application riiosphuric Isi d 
 
 Plot Nos. Table Xo. IV per Acre Nitroscn Acid Estiiii iti-d 
 
 1. Nitrate of Soda 400 56 .... 8 
 
 and 
 
 Acid Phospliate 400 56 8 
 
 2. Nitrate aloiio 400 56 .... 8 
 
 3. Acid Phospliate alono 40O 50 
 
 4. Check — nothing . . • • • • • • • • • • 
 
 5. NaN03 and P^d. 400 each 56 56 8 
 
 6. NaN03 and P.0= 600 each 84 84 12 
 
 The y)rorit per acre as between the 
 Rate of Profit application of 400 pounds of acid plios- 
 Per Acre. ])liate alone, and of Nitrate and acid 
 
 phosphate together shows that the 
 added investnieiit in 400 pounds of Nitrate, which may 
 be estimated at practically fourteen dollars ($14), gave 
 a rate of profit of twenty dollars ($20) per acre, valuing 
 ensilage at present at five dollars ($5) a ton. 
 
 Since the rate of yield per acre of the Nitrate and acid 
 phosphate plot was 20.9 tons as against a rate of yield 
 per acre of 14.1 tons for the acid phosphate alone plot, — 
 the value in the first case is placed at one hundred four 
 dollars and fifty cents ($104.50) per acre, and in the lat- 
 ter case at seventy dollars and fifty cents ($70.50) per 
 acre. As the crop increase from the use of 400 pounds 
 of Nitrate is valued at thirty-four dollars ($34), and the 
 cost of the Nitrate at fourteen dollars ($14), a profit at 
 the rate of twenty dollars ($20) per acre is the result, as 
 aliove stated. 
 
 These figures are in general in close agreement with 
 those secured in 1918, and confirm the view that rational 
 fertilizing with Nitrate does not appear to exhaust the 
 soil in the net result as much as does doing without 
 fertilizers. 
 
Food for Pt.axts. 53 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Soda on Corn. 
 
 As soon as the corn is planted in the spring, apply the 
 Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting it evenly over the entire 
 surface of the corn field you are fertilizing, at the rate of 
 200 pounds per acre, which is equal in bulk to about two 
 bushels. 
 
 Our Formula for Corn. 
 
 Nitrate alone -'"• !')>• pei' af'i'e 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Nitrate ••!t)0 " " " 
 
 Acid Pliospliate , 300 " " " 
 
 AMien potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to the 
 acre every other year. 
 
 SMALL FRUITS. 
 
 Under this head Ave treat of blackberries, currants, 
 gooseberries and raspberries. vStrawberries are treated 
 separately. All these small fruits are commonly grown 
 in the garden, generally under such conditions that sys- 
 tematic tillage is not practicable. For this reason such 
 plant food essentials as may exist naturally in the soil 
 become available to the uses of the plants very slowly. 
 This is as true of the decomposition of animal or vege- 
 table ammoniates as of phosphates and potashes. Conse- 
 quently, small fruits in the garden suffer from lack of 
 sufficient plant food. All these plants when planted in 
 gardens are usually set in rows four feet apart, the 
 plants about three feet apart in the rows; about 4,200 
 plants to an acre. In field culture, blackberries are 
 usually set four feet apart each Avay. 
 
 So far as possible, small fruits should l)e cultivated 
 in the early spring, and all dead canes removed. AVork 
 into the soil along the rows 300 pounds of acid phosphate 
 and 50 pounds of sulphate of potash if obtainable; Avhen 
 the plants are in full leaf, broadcast along the rows 300 
 pounds of Nitrate of Soda, and Avork in Avith a rake. If 
 at any time before August the vines shoAV a tendency to 
 drop "leaves, or stop groAving, apply more Nitrate. Small 
 
54 Food for Plants. 
 
 fruits must have a steady, even growtli ; in most cases 
 unsatisfactory results can be directly traced to irregular 
 feeding of the plants. In field culture, the crop must 
 be tilled quite the same as for corn; in the garden in 
 very dry weather irrigation should be used if possible. 
 The yield per acre is very heavy, and, of course, the 
 ])lants must be given plant food in proportion. 
 
 RASPBERRIES, CURRANTS, GOOSEBERBIES. 
 
 Sow broadcast, in the fall, a mixture of 300 pounds 
 of acid or superphosphate and 50 pounds sulphate of 
 potash per acre if obtainable. This can be done, if the 
 rows are four feet apart, b}^ sowing a large handful at 
 every two steps on each side of the row. Raspberries 
 and gooseberries should have a small handful, and cur- 
 ants a large handful to each bush. This should be culti- 
 vated in, if possible, early in the spring. Sow Nitrate of 
 Soda in the same way. It will pay to put on as much 
 Nitrate as you did acid or superphosphate, but if you do 
 not want to put on so much, use smaller handfuls. 
 
 Our Formula for Raspberries and Currants. 
 
 Nitrate alone 200 lbs. per acre 
 
 or i^referably 
 
 Nitrate 300 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 300 " " " 
 
 When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre every other year. 
 
 STRAWBERRIES. 
 
 This plant requires a moist soil, but not one water- 
 logged at any time of the year. A light clay loam, or a 
 sandy loam is preferable. There are several methods of 
 cultivation, but the matted row is generally found more 
 profitable than the plan of growing only in hills. AVhile 
 some growers claim that one year's crop is all that should 
 be harvested before ploughing down for potatoes, as a 
 matter of fact the conmion practice is to keep the bed for 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 55 
 
 at least two harvests. In selecting plants, care should 
 be exercised to see that pistillate plants are not kept too 
 much by themselves, or the blossoms will prove barren. 
 Farmyard manure should never be used after the 
 plants are set out, as the weed seeds contained therein 
 will give much trouble, especially as the horse hoe is of 
 little use in the beds. Use 200 pounds of acid phosphate, 
 appUed broadcast immediately after harvest. In the 
 spring as soon as growth begins broadcast 150 pounds 
 of Nitrate of Soda to the acre. In setting out a new 
 bed, broadcast the f ertiUzer along the rows and cultivate 
 in, before the plants are out. 
 
 On old beds, sow 200 pounds of acid phosphate broad- 
 cast in the fall and 150 pounds of Nitrate per acre in 
 the spring. 
 
 Onr Formula for Strawberries. 
 
 Nitrate alone 150 lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferal)ly 
 
 Nitrate 200 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 200 " " " 
 
 When potash salts can lie conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to the 
 acre everv other year. 
 
 
 M' 
 
 In the basket, and lying on 12-in('h 
 rule, 200 lbs. Nitrate of Soda to 
 the acre. 
 
 To the riglit back oi 
 rule, no Nitrate. 
 
56 Food for Plants. 
 
 The experiment was with a field of Bubachs. One plot 
 was given 200 pounds of Nitrate of Soda to the acre when 
 growth began. Another received no Nitrate. On June 3d 
 all the ripe fruit was picked from equal length of rows 
 of each plot. The photograph shows the result. 
 
 GRAPES. 
 
 Grape vineyards should be located and planted by 
 an expert, and one, too, who has had experience with 
 the locality selected for the site. The treatment of the 
 young plants is a matter of soil and climate, for which 
 there are no general rules. When the vines have reached 
 bearing age. however, their fertilization becomes a very 
 important matter. The new wood must be thoroughly 
 matured to bear next year's fruit, and an excess of 
 ammoniate late in the season not only defeats this 
 object, but also lessens the number of fruit buds. 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Soda on Grapes. 
 Apply the Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting it evenly 
 over the entire surface of the vineyard you are fertiliz- 
 ing, at the rate of 200 pounds per acre, during the early 
 spring months, preferably just before the vines are in 
 
 Our Formula for Grapes. 
 
 Nitrate aloup 200 lbs. ])er acre 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Nitrate '. 300 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 300 " " " 
 
 When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre every other year. 
 
 GREENHOUSE PLANT FOOD. 
 
 For flowering plants in greenhouses, as long as pos- 
 sible before blooming, apply one pound of Nitrate of 
 Soda to 200 square feet of surface. This application is 
 equal to 200 pounds per acre. If used with Acid Phos- 
 phate, a larger amount viz: One and one-half pounds 
 of Nitrate of Soda with an equal quantity of Acid Phos- 
 
Food for Plants. 57 
 
 pliatc may be used to each 200 square feet of surface, 
 making 300 pounds per acre, provided excessive quan- 
 tities of barnyard manure have not been used. It is 
 important to thoroughly work these fertihzers into the 
 soil. 
 
 The use of rotted stable manure as a source of green- 
 house plant food has been the custom for many years. 
 Manure, however, supplies its plant food very irregu- 
 larly and the Nitrogen which it contains is not nitrated, 
 hence for forcing plants it cannot be fully relied upon. 
 It should be supplemented by the use of commercial fer- 
 tilizers such as Nitrate of Soda and acid phosphate. 
 
 For Plants in Pots. 
 
 Water once every four days, during early active 
 growth, with a solution of one-half an ounce of Nitrate 
 of Soda to one gallon of water — avoid whetting the 
 fohage. This will produce dark green color in the 
 leaves, which, when obtained, indicates that for this 
 most important period, a sufficient amount of Nitrate of 
 Soda has been used. Do not put dry Nitrate on wet 
 fohage 
 
 For young fruit trees in the nursery, from one-quar- 
 ter to one pound of Nitrate of Soda per acre may be 
 used, according to ro^q. It is important in this case that 
 the fertilizer should be thoroughly worked into the soil. 
 
 LAWNS AND GOLF LINKS. 
 
 Good lawns are simply a matter of care and rational 
 treatment. If the soil is very light, top-dress lilierally 
 with clay and work into the sand. In all cases the soil 
 must be thoroughly fined and made smooth, as the seed, 
 being very small, requires a fine seed bed. In the South, 
 seed to Bermuda grass or Kentucky blue grass; in the 
 North, the latter is also a good lawn grass, but perhaps a 
 little less desirable than Ehode Island bent grass (Agros- 
 tis canina). Avoid mixtures, as they give an irregularly 
 colored laA^^l under stress of drouth, or early frosts, or 
 maturity. For Rhode Island bent grass use 50 pounds 
 of seed per acre, Kentucky blue grass 40 to 45 pounds, 
 
58 Food for Plants. 
 
 and for Bermuda g-rass 15 pounds. If for any reason 
 the soil cannot be properly prepared, pulverize the fer- 
 tilizer very fine indeed. The grass should be mowed 
 regularly and the clippings removed until nearly mid- 
 summer when they are best left on the soil as a mulch. 
 For a good \R^vn, broadcast per acre in the spring 50 
 pounds of sulphate of potash, 200 pounds of acid phos- 
 phate and 200 pounds of Nitrate of Soda. Lawns are 
 very different from field crops as they are not called 
 upon to mature growth in the line of seed productions, 
 and they may safely be given applications of Nitrate 
 whenever the sickly green color of the grass appears, 
 which shows that digestible or nitrated ammonia is the 
 plant food needed. These applications of plant food must 
 be continued each year without fail, and all bare or partly 
 bare spots well raked down and reseeded. If absolutely 
 bare, these spots should be deeply spaded. On very 
 heavy clay soils, and in low situations, a drainage system 
 must be established. 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Soda on Meadows, Lawns 
 and Golf Links. 
 
 As soon as the frost leaves the ground in the spring, 
 apply the Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting it evenly, by 
 hand, or by machine, over the entire surface of the lawn, 
 or meadow you are fertilizing, at the rate of 100 pounds 
 per acre. 
 
 Frequent rolling is of great advantage, as well as fre- 
 quent raking. Every lawn in the spring should be sub- 
 jected to a searching inspection for weeds. Early spring 
 is the time for the hea\o' annual top-dressing of 
 fertilizers. 
 
 Two or three weeks after the application of fertilizers, 
 a mixture of lawn grasses may be sown and covered with 
 a thin layer of finely sifted soil and then rolled down. 
 Rolling should not be continually in one direction, but 
 should be chano-ed. 
 
 If young grasses are growing amongst the old, it will 
 be an advantage to keep the lawn closely cut. By this 
 practice roots are strengthened and the density of the 
 
Food for Plants. 59 
 
 turf increased. In sowinii; lawn seed, sow half the quan- 
 tity a'cins: north and south, and half east and west. 
 
 Grass which has become brown or yellow may be 
 watered or treated with Nitrate of Soda and the green 
 color thus restored. Lawns may safely be given appli- 
 cations of Nitrate whenever the sickly green color of the 
 grass appears, as this shows that Nitrogen is the food 
 needed. Finely sifted soil obtained from decayed leaves 
 is the best treatment for lawns to provide them with 
 humus. 
 
 Our Formula for Meadous, Laivns and Golf Links. 
 
 Xitrate alone 100 lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Xitrate " 200 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 200 " " " 
 
 When iDotash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre every other year. 
 
 FLOWERS. 
 
 Every gardener (of vegetables or flowers) should have 
 at hand, all through the season, a bag or box of Nitrate 
 of Soda, to be broadcast on any and every crop that 
 grows in the garden. The need for Nitrogen is indicated 
 by the pale green color of foliage and slow growth. It is 
 quite easy to be too liberal in using Nitrate ; 200 pounds 
 of Nitrate per acre, if used alone, is the quantity to be 
 applied at any one time. One pound of it would give 
 about 30 heaping teaspoonfuls. So 1 to IU2 such spoon- 
 fuls to a square yard, or 3 feet along a row that is 3 feet 
 wide, would be about 100 pounds per acre. The quantity, 
 however, may be larger where the plants — such as cab- 
 bage — are half grown and in good condition to grow. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda is an ideal fertilizer for all kinds of 
 flowering plants, especially roses. It is, as you know, 
 neat and cleanly and harmless (not acid, nor caustic), 
 and every woman who cultivates vegetables and flowers 
 should keep it on hand, to be used as occasion shall 
 demand at the rate of one-half to one teaspoonful to the 
 square yard, or one rose bush. 
 
60 V\h)\} koi; Plants. 
 
 Fertilizer Experiments with Fuchsias. 
 
 ■.^>r 
 
 k ':^:i.mi^:Mj^iy 
 
 mti^ 
 
 I! 
 
 1 liosi)horic Acid and Potasli Phosphoric Aeid and Potash 
 
 without Nitrate of Soda. with 2^^ oz. Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Soda on Flowers. 
 Apply the Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting it evenly 
 over the entire surface of the garden you are fertilizing, 
 at the rate of 200 pounds per acre, before you sow your 
 seeds in the garden and before you set out your plants. 
 It may be applied later l)y hand between the rows at the 
 same rate if you find the earlier time inconvenient. 
 
 Our Formula fur Floicers. 
 
 Nitrate alone 200 lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Nitrate ' 300 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 300 " " " 
 
 When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre everv other vear. 
 
Food fop. Plants. 
 
 61 
 
 Fertilizer Experiments with Chrysanthemums. 
 
 
 Phosplioi'ie Af'id and Potash. 
 
 Pliosphoric Acid and Potasli witli 
 W^, oz. Nitrate of Soda. 
 
62 P^ooD FOR Plants. 
 
 MARKET GARDENING WITH NITRATE. 
 
 Successful Results in an Unfavorable Growing Season. 
 Asparagus. 
 
 The bed was twenty years old, aiul had been neglected. 
 As soon as workable, it was disc-harrowed, and later 
 smooth-harrowed with an Acme harrow. Nitrate of Soda 
 was applied to the plots early in April. It was sown 
 directly over the rows and well worked into the soil. 
 
 The experiment comprised three plots, two fertilized 
 with Nitrate of Soda, and one withont Nitrate, plot 3. 
 Plots 1 and 2, treated with the Nitrate, produced market- 
 able stalks ten days in advance of plot 3, a very material 
 advantage in obtaining the high prices of an early 
 market. The results were as follows, in bunches per 
 acre: 
 
 Plot and Fertilizer Bunches per acre Gain 
 
 3. No Nitrate 560 
 
 2. 200 lbs. Nitrate 680 120 
 
 1.400 lbs. Nitrate 840 280 
 
 Celery. 
 
 Crisp stalks of rich nutty flavor are a matter of rapid, 
 unchecked growth, and plant food must be present in 
 unstinted quantity, as well as in the most quickly avail- 
 able form, the best example of which is 
 Extraordinary Nitrate of Soda. The soil was plowed 
 Returns on early in May, and subsoiled, thoroughly 
 
 Celery. breaking the soil to a depth of 10 inches. 
 
 Thirty bushels of slacked lime per acre 
 was broadcasted immediately after plowing, followed by 
 a dressing of 20 tons of stable manure, all well worked 
 into the soil. Plants were set May 10th. The tract was 
 portioned into three i)lots for experimental purposes; 
 plot 1 received 675 pounds of Nitrate of Soda per acre, 
 plot 2 received 475 pounds and plot 3 none. 
 
 Plot 1 was ready for market July 6th, and was all off 
 bv the 10th. Plot 2 was readv for market July 11th and 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 68 
 
 was all harvested by the lith. Plot 3 was practically a 
 failure and was not harvested. Plot 1, being first in the 
 market, had the advantage of the best prices. 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Scda on Asparagus and 
 
 Celery. 
 
 (1) Apply the Nitrate of Soda at the rate of 200 
 pounds per acre by broadcasting it evenly along the rows, 
 shortly after the plants are set out. (2) A similar appli- 
 cation may be made four weeks later. Cultivate after 
 each application. 
 
 675 lbs. Nitrate of Soda 
 to the acre. 
 
 475 lbs. Nitrate of 
 Soda to the acre. 
 
 No Nitrate. 
 
()4 
 
 Food for Pi>ants. 
 
 Our Formula for Asparcujus and Celery. 
 
 Nitrate alono 200 lbs. per acre 
 
 or iirci'erablv 
 
 Nitrate ' 300 " " " 
 
 Acid l'liosi)hate 300 '' " " 
 
 AVlien potash salts can bo conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of iit'ty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre every other year. 
 
 Beets. 
 
 The crop must be forced to quick 
 Table Beets growth in order to obtain tender, crisp 
 
 Grown on vegetables, readily salable and at good 
 
 Nitrate Were prices. Nitrate of Soda was compared 
 Ready for with unfertilized soil, with the result 
 
 Market 16 Days that on the nitrated plots marketable 
 Ahead of Un- beets were pulled 56 days from seed- 
 fertilized Plots, ing; the unfertilized plot required 72 
 days to produce marketable vegetables. 
 Nitrate of Soda was applied at the rate of 500 pounds 
 per acre. 
 
 Table Beets. 
 
 500 lbs. Nitrate of Soda to the acre. 
 
 No Nitrate. 
 
Food for Plants. 65 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Soda on Sugar Beets. 
 
 Apply the Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting it evenly, 
 by machine or hx hand, over the entire surface of the 
 sugar beet field you are fertilizing, at the rate of 200 
 pounds per acre before or soon after planting. Two hun- 
 dred pounds of Nitrate is equal in bulk to about two 
 bushels. 
 
 Our Formuhi for Siicjar Beets. 
 
 Nitrate alone -<>(> lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferabh' 
 
 Nitrate " 300 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 300 " " " 
 
 When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre every other year. 
 
 Early Cabbage. 
 How a Crop The cabbage plots were thoroughly 
 
 Was Saved worked up, and planted to Henderson's 
 
 from Total Early Spring Variety. Part of the soil 
 
 Failure. was treated with Nitrate of Soda at the 
 
 rate of 575 pounds per acre. The part 
 of the plot not treated with Nitrate of Soda was a failure. 
 
 Cabbage and Cauliflower. 
 
 Cabbage requires a deep mellow soil, rich in plant food. 
 As the soil is thoroughly fined in the spring, there should 
 be incorporated with it by rows, corresponding to the 
 rows of plants, about 1,500 pounds of fertilizer per acre. 
 For early cabbage set close together ; it will pay to sow 
 the fertilizers broadcast over the whole ground and work 
 them in before setting out the plants. If the land has 
 been heavily manured for a number of years Nitrate of 
 Soda alone may do as much good as the mixture. In this 
 case, the Nitrate may be used after the plants are set 
 out — a teaspoonf ul to a plant. 
 
 For late cabbage, set 21/2 to 3 feet apart each way. It 
 is a good plan to apply the fertilizers after the plants are 
 set out. 
 
 3 
 
GG 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
Food for Plants. 67 
 
 After the plants have set and have rooted, say a week 
 from setting, apply along the rows a top-dressing of 200 
 pounds of Nitrate of Soda per acre and work into the soil 
 with a fine toothed horse hoe ; the soil must be kept loose 
 to a depth of at least two inches, and consequently there 
 will be no extra labor in working this fertilizer into the 
 soil. Some three weeks later incorporate in the same 
 manner into the soil 300 to 400 pounds of Nitrate of 
 Soda. Soil Nitration cannot be depended on under any 
 circumstances for supplying enough natural Nitrate for 
 cabbage. Nitrate of Soda is the only pre-digested nitrate 
 in the market, is an absolute necessity for early cabbage, 
 and should be used hberally. This crop should not fol- 
 low itself more than tmce, as by so doing there is no 
 little danger of serious disease to the crop. 
 
 Cauliflower. 
 
 The cauliflower plot was treated ex- 
 Nitrated Plot actly the same as the cabbage plot. The 
 Yields Profit. plants were set on April 26th. The ni- 
 
 Non-Nitrated a t rated plot matured 80 per cent, of the 
 Total Loss. plants set early in the season. Cutting* 
 
 began on July 1st, when high prices 
 ruled. The plot on which no Nitrate was used failed to 
 mature a single plant so that no comparative figures can 
 be given. All the profit in the nitrated ])lot was gain over 
 the non-nitrated plot. 
 
 
68 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 o 
 u 
 
 (-1 
 
 ee 
 
 o 
 
 CO 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 69 
 
 Carrots. 
 
 All plots were fertilized with acid phosphate and 
 potash. 
 
 I II III IV 
 
 No. Nitrate. Vo 2:r. Nitrate. 3 gr. Nitrate of 41/2 gr. Nitrate of 
 
 Soda. Soda. 
 
 The carrots were planted April 21st and treated the 
 same as the beets. The nitrated plot yielded matured 
 carrots June 27th. Crop was first pulled from the non- 
 nitrated plot about the middle of September. Carrots 
 from the nitrated plot sold for from 5 to 8 cents a bunch 
 more than those from the non-nitrated plot. 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Soda on Cabbage and Carrots. 
 
 Apply the Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting- it evenly 
 over the entire surface of the vegetable field you are fer- 
 
70 l^'oon FOR Plants, 
 
 liliziiii;', at llie rate of 300 pounds per acre, before seeding 
 or plaiiliiig, or transplanting. 
 
 Our Fonnnla (or ('(il>l)((i)c and Carrots. 
 
 Nitrate alone 300 11)S. ])cr acre 
 
 or prcierably 
 
 Nitrate 400 " " " 
 
 Add Phosphate 400 " " " 
 
 Wlien potasli salts can l)e conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre every other year. 
 
 Cucumbers. 
 
 1 'hints were set in box frames May 4tli. The frames 
 were well filled with rotted manure, and were banked 
 as a protection against late frosts. A portion of the field 
 was treated with Nitrate of Soda; on May 10th each plant 
 was given a quart of a solution made by dissolving three 
 pounds of Nitrate of Soda in 50 gallons of water. Sev- 
 eral applications were made on the experimental plot, 
 making a total of 165 pounds of Nitrate of Soda per acre. 
 On June 27th the experimental plot was setting fruit 
 rapidly, while the plot without nitrate was just coming 
 into bloom. The nitrated plot was given on June 29th a 
 quart of a solution made by dissolving two ounces of 
 Nitrate of Soda in a gallon of water; and this applica- 
 tion was repeated July 3d, 7th, 15th. 24th, and August 
 8th. This practically doubled the Nitrate application. 
 The first picking on the nitrated plot 
 Gain in Time was made July 1st, on the non-nitrated 
 in This Crop plot July 2'2d, when prices were at the 
 
 Very Eemark- lowest point. After the early market 
 able, Two season was over, the vines were treated 
 
 Weeks in for pickling cucumliers, the nitrated plot 
 
 Advance. receiving Nitrate dissolved in water as 
 
 before and later, two applications of a 
 quart each, containing half an ounce per gallon. The 
 result was that the vines continued bearing until cut 
 dow^n by frost. The estimated yields were as follows: 
 Nitrated plot, per acre, 6,739 dozen, plot without Nitrate 
 gave per acre 948 dozen. 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 71 
 
I J. 
 
 V(H)]) Foii Plants. 
 
 Sweet Corn. 
 
 The crop was planted on rallu'i- poor soil. Seed was 
 l)lantcd May 4tli, and the cultivators started May 12tli. 
 A portion of llie field was selected for experiment, and 
 on this 75 ])ouiids of Nitrate of Soda ])er acre was applied 
 May 2{)th, di'illed close to the row. A second application 
 of the same anionnl was made ^lay 2'6th, and on June 5th 
 a third a])])li('ation. On June 17th, lOO^ pounds per acre 
 was applied and cultivated into the soil. The total Xi- 
 li'atc applied to the ex})eriniental plot amounted to 325 
 ))()unds per acre. The nitrated plot ripened corn live 
 (hiys ahead of the non-nitrated portion, and j)roduced 994 
 dozen ears against 623 dozen from an acre not treated 
 with Nitrate of Soda. The Nitrated crop, being earlier 
 in the market, l)rought better prices. 
 
 Endive. 
 
 The photograph of average specimens from a plot 
 which received 300 pounds of Nitrate of Soda to the acre, 
 and from one which received none, shows the beneficial 
 result obtained from the use of Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 300 11)8. Nitrate of Soda to tho acre. 
 
 No Nitrate. 
 
Food fou Pt.axtr. 73 
 
 Eg'ff -Plant. 
 
 ■"toto" 
 
 The plants were set in the usual manner, part of the 
 tract being treated with Nitrate of Sothi at the rate of 
 475 pounds per acre to ol)serve the practical value of the 
 Nitrate for forcing. Before setting, the plants were 
 given a light application of Nitrate in solution. June 1st, 
 150 pounds was applied, on the tenth this was repeated 
 and on June 22d a third application was niavle. The ni- 
 trated plot produced marketable fruit July 5th, the non- 
 nitrated plot did not reach the market until July 26th. 
 The nitrated plot 'produced per acre 33,894 fruits, all of 
 good quality; the non-nitrated plot produced only 8,712 
 fruits per acre. 
 
 Early Lettuce. 
 
 The plants were started in the hot house, and pricked 
 into cold frames; April 26th they were set in the field. 
 
 75(1 lbs. Nitrate of Soda to the acre No 
 
 in 5 applications. Nitrate. 
 
 The Nitrate applications on the experiment plot were per 
 acre as follows : April 29th, 100 pounds ; May 4th, 150 
 pounds; May 12th, 200 pounds; May 18th, 200 pounds; 
 May 23d, 100 ])onn(ls; a total of 750 i^ounds ])i'i- acre. 
 
74 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 The nitrated jjlot was first cut May 26th, and at this time 
 the non-nitrated plot was just beginning to curl a few^ 
 leaves towards the heart for heading. Approximately, 
 the nitrated plot produced per acre, 1,724 dozen heads, 
 and being early to market brought a good price. On the 
 non-nitrated plot only about 4 per cent, of the plants 
 headed, and these reached the market three weeks late. 
 AVithoiit the Xitrate dressing the crop was a failure. 
 
 Musk Melons. 
 
 325 lbs. Nitrate of Soda to the acre 
 in 15 applications. 
 
 No Nitrate. 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 75 
 
 Musk melons were transplanted from the hot house 
 on May 4th; 325 pounds Nitrate per acre was- applied 
 on fifteen occasions, about 6 days apart, between May 
 10th and August 8th. The first ripe fruit was picked 
 July 19th, 88 days after planting seed and 76 days after 
 transplanting from hot house. The yield was at the rate 
 of 9,680 melons per acre, none of which sold for less than 
 5 cents, and many for 10 cents. The vines on the non- 
 nitrated plot gave but very small return and did not give 
 any return for the labor spent on them. 
 
 Onions. 
 
 The soil was in bad condition, and was liberally limed. 
 Seeding was completed April 15th, and the plants were 
 rapidly breaking ground by the 28th. The tract was 
 divided into three plots; plot 1 received 675 pounds of 
 Nitrate of Soda in six applications at intervals of a week 
 
 G75 lbs. of Xitrate of 
 
 Soda to the acre in 
 
 6 applications. 
 
 375 lbs. of Xitrate of 
 
 Soda to the aei-e in 
 
 4 a])plieations. 
 
 No 
 Nitrate. 
 
 or 10 days; plot 2 received 375 pounds in four applica- 
 tions ; plot 3 was not treated with Nitrate. The nitrated 
 plots seemed least affected by the exceptionally dry 
 weather, but the crop on all the plots was no doubt 
 reduced by the unfavorable conditions. The following 
 table gives the results by plots, computed to an acre 
 basis: 
 
 Total yield 
 
 Per cent, scullions 
 
 
 Nitrate 
 
 
 Nitrate 675 lbs. 
 
 37. i lbs. 
 
 No Nitiate 
 
 756 bu. 
 
 482 bu. 
 
 127 bu. 
 
 1.5 
 
 1.7 
 
 19.0 
 
76 Food for Plants. 
 
 Tlio results show very clearly the value of the Nitrate 
 applications. 
 
 Instructions for Using- Nitrate of Soda on Onions. 
 
 As soon as the onions are up in the spring, or before 
 seeding, apply the Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting it 
 evenly, by hand or by machine, over the entire surface 
 of the onion tield you are fertilizing, at the rate of 200 
 pounds per acre. 
 
 Our Formula for Onions. 
 
 Nitrate alone 200 lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Xitrate ' 300 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 300 " " " 
 
 When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre everv other vear. 
 
 300 lbs Nitrate of Soda 
 to acre. 
 
 No Nitrate 
 
Food for Plants. 77 
 
 Early Peas. 
 
 This crop was planted under the same conditions and 
 in like manner to snap beans ; 300 pounds of Nitrate of 
 Soda per acre was applied to the experiment plots. Two 
 varieties were planted, early and late. The results were : 
 
 Early Late 
 
 Nitrate Nothing Nitrate Nothing 
 
 Date planted April 15. April 15. May 1. May 1. 
 
 First picking June 8. June 17. June 29. July 4. 
 
 Gain to market fl days. 5 days. 
 
 Period of bearing 11 days. 8 days. 10 days. 6 days. 
 
 Cro]) on first picking 55 p. c. 40 p. c. 57 p. e. 38 p. c. 
 
 Total yield (p. c.) 165 100 168 100 
 
 The season was veiy unfavorable for this crop, yet 
 the results show that the Nitrate made a powerful effort 
 to offset this disadvantage. The earliness to market in 
 this case is as pronounced as in the other garden crops, 
 and is one of the most profitable factors in the use of 
 Nitrate of Soda. The lengthening of the bearing period 
 is an added advantage. 
 
 Peppers. 
 
 Pepper plants were transplanted May 
 Nitrate Doubles 22nd, when Nitrate of Soda at the rate 
 Yield. of 100 pounds to the acre was applied, 
 
 followed by a second application of 200 
 pounds on May 31st, and others of 100 pounds each on 
 June 7th and June 19th. The yield from the plot treated 
 with 500 pounds of Nitrate was at the rate of 14,620 
 dozen per acre, and pulling was begun June 30th. The 
 plot without Nitrate treatment yielded at the rate of 
 7,432 dozen per acre and pulling did not begin till August 
 7th, 38 days later. 
 
 Early Potatoes. 
 
 Ploughing was finished the second week in April, and 
 the plot limed at the rate of 3-5 bushels per acre. Fur- 
 rows w^ere opened three feet apart, and 750 pounds per 
 acre of a high-grade fertilizer worked into the rows. 
 
78 Food for Plants. 
 
 May 1st. the potatoes were breaking ground, and 100 
 pounds of Nitrate of Soda per acre was applied on the 
 experiment plot. (!)n the 11th, 200 pounds of Nitrate was 
 a])])li(>d, and on the 29th, 150 pounds more was cultivated 
 ill with a horse-hoe. The total Nitrate application per 
 acre was 450' pounds. The nitrated plot was harvested 
 July 6th; the plot not treated with Nitrate was dug 
 July 17th, 11 days later. The nitrated plot produced 
 per acre 19 bushels unmarketable tubers, the non-nitrated 
 plot 46 bushels. The total crop marketable was 297 
 busliels for Nitrate, and 1)2 bushels for non-nitrated plot. 
 
 450 lbs. Nitrate of Soda to the acre No Nitrate, 
 
 in 3 applications. 
 
 Late Potatoes. 
 
 Conditions same as in the case of early potatoes, 
 except the Nitrate of Soda was used at the rate of 500 
 pounds per acre. The crop of marketable tubers, per 
 acre on the nitrated plots, amounted to 374 bushels; on 
 the non-nitrated plot the yield amounted to 231 bushels 
 marketable tubers. The gain for Nitrate of Soda was 
 143 bushels, or nearly 62 per cent, increase. 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 79 
 
 
 Yield witliuut Nitrate. iieid with Nitrate. 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Soda on Potatoes. 
 
 As soon as the potatoes are up in the spring, or just 
 before planting-, apply the Nitrate of Soda by broadcast- 
 ing it evenly, by hand or by machine, over the entire 
 surface of the potato field you are fertilizing, at the rate 
 of 200 pounds per acre, or apply it broadcast prior to 
 planting. 
 
 Our Formula for Potatoes. 
 
 Nitrate alone 200 lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferably ,, ,, ,, 
 
 Nitrate 400 ^^ 
 
 Acid Phosphate 400 
 
 When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre every other year. 
 
80 
 
 Food top. 1'iaxts. 
 
 Radishes. 
 
 The iiToiind in wliicli radislics were 
 Quick Yield i)laiite(l was newly turned liniotliy sod, 
 
 Procured by not fertilized for \vn years. Seed was 
 
 Nitrate. drilled in April llitli. Nitrate of Soda, 
 
 75 pounds to the acre, was ai)plied April 
 20th, followed l)y an application of 150 pounds a Aveek 
 later. Radishes on the nitrated ph^t matured evenly and 
 were marketed on May 15tli at five cents a bunch retail, 
 the wholesale price ranging from $2 to $2.50 per hundred. 
 The radishes on the non-nitrated plot matured unevenly 
 and when ready the market was glutted. 
 
 Late Spinach. 
 
 The ground used for this experiment, though under 
 cultivation for generations, had never been fertilized. 
 Nitrate of Soda at the rate of 350 pounds to the acre 
 was used in two applications. The photograph of the 
 product of an equal space of row from the nitrated and 
 non-nitrated plots tells the result. 
 
 350 lbs. Nitrate of Soda to the acre No 
 
 in two ai)])lioations. Nitrate. 
 
 Early Tomatoes. 
 
 With this crop the object is to mature quickUj, rather 
 than to obtain a heavy acre yield; one basket of early 
 
Food for Plants. 81 
 
 tomatoes at $1.25 is irortli more than 15 baskets later in 
 the season, when the price is about 8 cents per basket. 
 The plants to be used on the nitrated ])lot were treated 
 with a dihited solution of Nitrate four separate times. 
 Plants were field set May 17, and given six applications 
 of Nitrate of Soda ; first, 100 pounds per acre soon after 
 setting out ; second, third and fourth of 75 pounds each ; 
 and fifth and sixth of 50 pounds each — in all, about 425 
 pounds per acre. The results were : 
 
 Nitrate No Nitrate 
 
 Plants set out in field May 17. May 17. 
 
 First picking June 30. July 19. 
 
 Days, setting to tirst picking 43 62 
 
 Crop at $1.00 and upward i)er basket 40 per cent. 
 
 " .75 " '' 30 " 10 per cent. 
 
 " .50 " " 20 " 15 " 
 
 " .30 " " 10 " 20 " 
 
 " .25 " " 25 " 
 
 " .15 " " 15 " 
 
 " .08 " '' 15 " 
 
 Estimated vield per acre, baskets 500 GOO 
 
 Gross receipts $377 50 $190 20 
 
 Cost of Nitrate of Soda and application. ... 10 35 
 
 Xet receipts 367 15 190 20 
 
 Gain per acre for Nitrate 176 95 
 
 Instructions for Using- Nitrate of Soda on Tomatoes. 
 
 Apjjly the Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting it evenly 
 over the entire surface of the vegetable field you are fer- 
 tilizing, at the rate of 200 pounds per acre, before seed- 
 ing, or planting, or transplanting. 
 
 Our Formula for Tomatoes. 
 
 Nitrate alone 200 lbs. })er acre. 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Nitrate \ 300 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 300 " " " 
 
 When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash to 
 the acre everv other vear 
 
S2 Food for Plants. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS UPON THE LEACHING OF SOLUBLE 
 FERTILIZER SALTS FROM CRANBERRY SOILS. 
 
 l^v JOHN 11. VOORHEES, 
 
 Former Assistant in Charpe Cranberry Investigations, N. J. 
 Experiment Station. 
 
 In the spring of 1913 the author was detailed by the 
 New Jersey Experiment Station to study the fertilizer 
 requirements of the cranberry. After a survey of the 
 field it was decided to locate the experimental work upon 
 bogs owned and operated by practical growers. Plead- 
 quarters for this work were located at the bogs of J. J. 
 White, Incorp., situated about three miles northeast of 
 Hanover farais on the P. E. R. in Burlington county. 
 A rather complete series of plots was planned including 
 the separate use of four sources of Nitrogen, — Nitrate of 
 Soda, ammonium sulphate, dried blood 12 per cent., and 
 cotton-seed meal ; four sources of phosphoric acid,— acid 
 phosphate, basic slag, phosphate rock and steamed bone ; 
 and three sources of potash, — muriate, sulphate and 
 kainit. These materials were not only used separately, 
 but also in complete mixtures in which ammonium sul- 
 phate, acid phosphate and muriate of potash were used 
 as constant factors. In each case the fertilized plots 
 received either two pounds of Nitrogen, four of phos- 
 phoric acid, or five of potash, and in the case of complete 
 mixtures all of the above quantities were used. 
 
 On the bogs of J. J. White the series of plots was laid 
 out in three distinct types of soil; the Savannah, a pure 
 sand mixed with more or less organic matter, deep mud, 
 and deep mud underlaid with iron ore. "Wlierever pos- 
 sible the plots were made one-twentieth acre in size, one 
 rod wide and eight rods long. (Details of the plan of 
 experiment may be found in 1913 Report, N. J. Agricul- 
 tural Experiment Station, pages 384-488.) 
 
 On June 6, 1913, the first application of fertilizer was 
 made to the plots in these series and observations of the 
 effect of added plant food have been extremely interest- 
 ing. One occurrence brings out clearly how little an 
 
Food for Plants. 83 
 
 abundance of water affected the lateral movement of soil 
 moisture and leaching of plant food from the soil stores. 
 
 On the nights of June 9th and 10th danger of severe 
 frost caused the proprietors to flow the bogs for protec- 
 tion. The series of plots located in the deep mud and 
 iron ore soils (so-called) were completely flooded to a 
 depth varying from a few inches to a foot. The Savan- 
 nah plots, even though located in the same bogs, were on 
 a higher level and the water onl^^ covered one end of the 
 plots, about one-half of each. At first thought it would 
 appear that the lateral movement of the soil water would 
 carry the plant food, especially the soluble salts. Nitrate 
 of Soda, ammonium sulphate, and the potash salts, from 
 one plot to another, and that there would bo considerable 
 leaching of plant food into the drainage water, because 
 the water is drawn through the soil into the ditches on 
 its way out; but subsequent observations extending 
 through the remainder of the year showed a distinct line 
 of markation between the fertilized plots and the check 
 plots adjoining. The increased vine growth causing this 
 distinct markation became clearly defined, first with Ni- 
 trate of Soda, then ammonium sulphate, and so on 
 through the list of plots, showing more clearly upon the 
 plots which received complete mixtures. 
 
 This condition was more particularly true on the 
 " Savannah " soils, and it might be added that yields 
 were greatly increased. (Record of yields may be found 
 in 1914 Report of N. J. Agric. Experiment Station or 
 Proceedings 45th Annual Meeting American Cranberry 
 Growers' Association.) Upon the deep mud and iron ore 
 plots the differences and lines of markation were distin- 
 guishable but not so clearly defined. 
 
 After three years of obsei*vation and experience, both 
 experimental and practical, the author is convinced that 
 the loss from leaching is so negligible that he feels no 
 hesitancy in advising growers to apply fertilizers com- 
 posed of Nitrate of Soda, acid phosphate and muriate of 
 potash as soon as the winter water is drawn from the 
 bogs, about May 20th, before the reflow for insect con- 
 
84: Food kok I*LA^■TS. 
 
 trol, ^vhic•ll is a customary })ractice about the second week 
 ill June, and before any flowing which might be necessi- 
 tated by danger of frost. 
 
 NITRATE AS FERTILIZER. 
 What It Did For an Acre of Sug^ar Cane in Porto Rico. 
 
 Abstract from Facts About Sugar, September 7, 1918. 
 
 (The results of an interesting experiment conducted at Central 
 Aguirre, Porto Rico, during the season 1917-18, to check up the rela- 
 tive values of Nitrate of Soda, of Acid Phosphate, and of a mixture of 
 the tico, as fertilizer for sugar cane, are described in the following 
 article. The accompanying illitstratiotis and table show the striking 
 results obtained from the Ufc of the Xitrate. — Ep.) 
 
 An Instructive Demonstration. 
 
 A recent experiment conducted at Margarita field, 
 Hacienda Carmen of Central Aguirre, Porto Rico, 
 forcibly brings out the gain in sugar yield, with the 
 accompanying higher financial return resulting, when 
 Nitrate of Soda and acid phosphate were used, compared 
 with the returns when acid pho])hate was used alone. 
 
 The test was made to determine the relative efficiency 
 of acid phospliate — which is the main constituent of the 
 ordinary brands of mixed fertilizer — as compared with 
 Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 The cane was grown on adjoining one-acre plots. 
 Applications of the fertilizer materials were made on 
 July 23, 1917, and the cane was cut on May 27, 1918. On 
 one plot 400 pounds of acid phosphate was applied; on a 
 second 400 pounds each of acid phosphate and Nitrate of 
 Soda; on a third, Nitrate of Soda alone, and on the 
 fourth, a check plot, no fertilizer was used. The results 
 obtained are shown in tlie following table; 
 
 Confirms Hauaiian Practice. 
 
 Sucrose. Purity Cane Suear 
 
 \crp Plots percent percent yield tons yield tons 
 
 1. Acid Phosi)hato 18.09 92.50 24.96 3.2 
 
 2. Nitrate of Soda and Acid Plios- 
 
 phate l'-38 91.50 .38.00 4./ 
 
 3. Nitrate of Soda alone 16 . 45 89 . 20 41 . 50 4.7 
 
 4. Check ])lot — no fertilizer 17.55 91.40 30. Y 3 3.8 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 85 
 
 Fertilized witli 400 lbs. Nitrate Fertilized with 400 lbs. Acid 
 
 of Soda per acre. Phosphate per acre. 
 
 Yield: 9,600 lbs. Su^ar per acre Yield: 6,400 lbs. Sui;ar i)cr acre 
 
 (30 bags). (20 bags). 
 
 Fertilized with 400 lbs. Nitrate of Check Plot — No Fertilizer. 
 
 Soda per acre. Yield: 7,680 lbs. Sugar per acre 
 Yield: 9,000 lbs. Suoar per acre (24 bags). 
 
 (30 bags). 
 
86 Food for Plants. 
 
 These figures speak for themselves. It is interesting 
 to note that the $16 worth of Nitrate used alone pro- 
 duced an increase of 16.54 tons of cane, yielding 1.5 tons 
 of sugar, over the acid phosphate plot, which, in terms 
 of cash, represented an increased market value of $138. 
 In view of the stress laid so frequently in the past upon 
 the use of the superphosphate variety of mixes, the 
 sources of Nitrogen in such brands being as a rule en- 
 tirely unknown to the users, the above experiment is 
 illuminating. This experiment substantially and em- 
 phatically confirms Hawaiian results and fully endorses 
 Hawaiian sugar cane practice. 
 
 GRASS GROWING FOR PROFIT. 
 
 Timothy and related grasses feed hea\ily on Nitrogen ; 
 they are able to transform it completely into wholesome 
 and digestible animal food. When full rations of plant 
 food are present a good crop of grass will remove about 
 the equivalent of the active fertilizer ingredients of 20O 
 pounds of Nitrate of Soda, and 200 pounds of acid phos- 
 phate. These amounts per acre are recommended to be 
 broadcasted on old grass lands where intensive fertiliza- 
 tion is well understood and practiced. Grass lands get 
 sour easily, especially when old, and when they do, one 
 ton of slaked lime per acre should be harrowed in before 
 seeding down anew. For the best results the seeding 
 should be done before September, and the above-men- 
 tioned ration should be used as a dressing the following 
 spring, soon after the grass begins to show growth. 
 
 If all the conditions are favorable, from three to five 
 tons of clean barn-cured hay, free from weeds, may rea- 
 sonably be expected. When grass crops are heavy and 
 run as high as 4i/^ tons per acre field-cured, it is safe to 
 allow 20 per cent, shrinkage in weight for seasoning and 
 drying do^vn to a barn-cured basis. Nitrate of Soda, the 
 chief constituent of the prescribed ration, insures early 
 growth and enables it to get ahead of all weeds, and the 
 crop then feeds economically and fully on the other 
 
Food for Plants. 87 
 
 manurial constituents present in the fertilizer mentioned 
 in the formula and present in the soil. 
 
 When clean No. 1 hay sells above $16 per ton the finan- 
 cial results are very satisfactory. Nitrate can some- 
 times be used alone for a season or two and at very great 
 profit, but a full grass ration is better in the long run. 
 Generally speaking, 100 pounds of Nitrate, if used under 
 proper conditions, will produce an increase of from 1,000 
 to 1,200 pounds of l^arn-cured, clean timothy hay, the 
 value of which averages from $8 to $10 and upwards. 
 Compared with the value of the increased hay crop, it 
 pays well to use Nitrate liberally on grass lands. 
 
 Making Two Blades of Grass Grow Where One Blade Grew 
 
 Before. 
 
 Grass is a responsive crop, and the part played by 
 chemical fertilizers, as proven in Rhode Island, shows 
 the striking effect of Nitrate on yields and feeding 
 quality. 
 
 Since all the other fertilizers were alike for the three 
 plots and had been for many years, and since the general 
 character of the soil and the treatments the plots had 
 received were uniform, any differences must be ascribed 
 to the influence of the varying quantities of Nitrate of 
 Soda. These differences, so far as they are shown by the 
 weights of the crops for four years are given in brief 
 below : 
 
 Yield of Cured Hay Under Different Rates of Nitrogenous Fertilization. 
 
 Yield of Cured Hay Average 
 
 1893, 1900, 1901, 1902, Yields in 
 
 Nitrate of Soda Applied Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Tons 
 
 None 5,075 4,000 3,290 2,950 1.9 
 
 150 lbs. per acre* .. . 6,300 5.600 5,550 4,850 2.8 
 
 450 lbs. per acre*... 6,913 8,200 9,390 8,200 4.1 
 
 These figures show a uniform, con- 
 
 What the sistent and marked advantage from the 
 
 Figures Show. use of Nitrate of Soda ; and the effect 
 
 of its absence is shown by the steady 
 
 decline of the yields on the 7?o-Nitrate plot from year to 
 
 "Amount slightly reduced in 1901 and 1902. 
 
S8 
 
 Food fof. Plants. 
 
 1. Product oi.' one square foot 
 of ground in field yielding over 
 three tons per acre of cured timo- 
 thy hay fertilized with Nitrate of 
 Soda. 
 
 2. Product of one square foot 
 of ground in adjoining field (not 
 fertilized with Nitrate of Soda) 
 yielding one ton per acre of cured 
 liav. 
 
 Highland Experimental Farms, New York. 
 
Food for Plants, 89 
 
 year. Tn each year the use of 150 pound's of Nitrate gave 
 increased yields over the plot without Nitrogen, the gain 
 varying from 1,200 to almost 2,300 pounds, an average 
 gain of about seven-eighths of a ton of hay. Three times 
 this amount of Nitrate did not, of course, give three 
 times as much hay, but it so materially increased the 
 yield as to show that it was all used to good advantage 
 except, perhaps, in the second year. This was an excep- 
 tionally dry year and but one crop could be cut. The 
 advantage from the Nitrate showed strikingly in the 
 production of a rapid and luxurious early growth while 
 moisture was still available. This supply of readily 
 soluble food comes just when it is most needed, since the 
 natural change of unavailable forms of Nitrogen in the 
 soil to the soluble Nitrates proceeds very slowly during 
 the cool, moist weather of spring. The full ration of 
 Nitrogen, 450 pounds of Nitrate, more than doubled the 
 yield of hay over that produced on the no-Nitrate plot in 
 1900 and in the next two years it nearly tripled the yield. 
 The average increase over the 150-pound plot was one 
 and three-tenths tons and over the plot without Nitrogen 
 was two and five-eighths tons. 
 
 Effect on Quality of Hay. 
 
 Almost as marked, and certainly more 
 How Nitrate surprising and unexpected, was the 
 
 Improves the effect of the Nitrate upon the quality of 
 
 Quality of the the hay produced. 
 
 Hay. The hay from the plots during the 
 
 first season was of such diverse char- 
 acter that different ton values had to be placed upon it 
 in estimating the profit from the use of fertilizers. That 
 from the no-Nitrate plot, since it contained so much 
 clover at both cuttings, w^as worth less than that on the 
 plot receiving the full ration of Nitrate. 
 
 But the reduction in the percentage of clover was not 
 the only benefit to the quality of the hay. The Nitrate also 
 decreased the proportion of red top as compared with the 
 finer timothy. This tendency was noticed in the second 
 
90 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 Types of Characteristic Rock Sliatterins' (1). 
 
 Types of Characteristic Rock bliattermg {: 
 
 Tyi)es of Characteristic Rock Shattering (3). 
 
Food for Plants, 91 
 
 year, when a count of the stalks on selected equal and 
 typical areas showed 13 per cent, of timothy on the 150- 
 pound plot, and 44 per cent, on the 450-pound plot. In 
 the third year the percentages of timothy were 39 per 
 cent, and 67 per cent., respectively, and in the fourth 
 year the differences were even more marked. 
 
 Timothy is a grass which will not tol- 
 An Alkaline crate an acid soil, and it is probable 
 
 Soil Necessary that the liming given these plots in 1897 
 for Grass. did not make them as " sweet " as 
 
 would have been best for this crop. 
 Now, when Nitrate of Soda is used by plants, more of 
 the nitric acid is used than of the soda and a certain por- 
 tion of the latter, is left to combine with free acids in 
 
 the soil. This, like lime, neutralizes the 
 How Nitrate acids and thus " sweetens " the soil for 
 
 Neutralizes Soil the timothy. With the assistance of the 
 Acids and Soda set free from the Nitrate, the timo- 
 
 Sweetens the thy was more than able to hold its o^\^l 
 
 Soil. and thus to make what the market calls 
 
 a finer, better hay ; and since the market 
 demands timothy and pays for it, the farmer who sells 
 hay is wise if he meets the demand. 
 
 Financial Profit from Use of Nitrate. 
 
 Frequently more plant food is paid 
 How It Pays. for and put on the land than the crop 
 can possibly use, the excess being en- 
 tirely thrown away, or, at best, merely saved to benefit 
 some subsecpient crop. This was far from the case in 
 these trials. Indeed, it was found by analysis of the hay 
 that more potash was removed by the crops of the first 
 two years than had been added in the muriate used, con- 
 sequently the amount applied upon each plot was in- 
 creased in 1901 and in 1902. The Nitrogen requirement 
 of the crops was found to be slightly less than was sup- 
 plied in 450 pounds of Nitrate and the amount was re- 
 duced to 40€ pounds in 1901, and changed to 415 pounds 
 in 1902. The Nitrate on the second plot was also reduced 
 
f)2 
 
 l^'ooi) I'Oi; I'lANTS 
 
 Rook Before Blastins: One Pound of Forty Per Cent. Dynamite. 
 
 haiiie luM-k Shattered l)y the ExplnMcu <.l Dynamite. 
 
Food for Plants. 93 
 
 ill proportion. The phosphoric acid, however, was prob- 
 ably in considerable excess, since liming sets free phos- 
 phoric acid already in the soil and so lessens the appar- 
 ent financial profit ; but not to an excessive degree. 
 
 Practical Conclusions. 
 
 From these striking results it must be evident that 
 grass lands as well as tilled fields are greatly benefited 
 by Nitrate, and that it would be to the advantage of most 
 farmers to improve the fertility of their soils 'by growing 
 good crops of grass, aided thereto by liberal fertilizing. 
 The application should be in the form 
 Dressing- Grass of a dressing broadcasted very early in 
 Lands. the spring in order that the first growth 
 
 may find readily available material for 
 its support and be carried through the season with no 
 check from partial starvation. 
 
 On land which shows any tendency to sour, a ton to 
 the acre of slaked lime should 'be used every five or six 
 years. This makes the laud sw^eet and promotes the 
 growth of grass plants of the best kinds. 
 
 Lime should be som^u upon the plowed land and har- 
 rowed into the soil. Top-dressing w^th lime after seed- 
 ing will not answer, and, in the case of very acid soils, 
 the omission of lime at the proper time will necessitate 
 reseeding to secure a good stand of grass. 
 
 Grass seems to demand less phosphoric acid than was 
 applied in the test ; but it responds with increasing profit 
 to applications of Nitrate of Soda up to 250 pounds to 
 the acre when ample supplies of potash and phosphates 
 are present. 
 
 No stable manure has been used upon the iield under 
 experiment for over twenty years. 
 
 It may not be out of place here to men- 
 Nitrate of Soda tioii the fact that the late Mr. Clark's 
 as Used in success in obtaining remarkably large 
 
 Clark's Grass yields of hay for a number of years, an 
 
 Cultivation. average of 9 tons of cured hay per acre 
 
 for 11 years in succession, has been 
 heralded tliroughout the United States. He attributed 
 
94 
 
 Food for 1't.ants. 
 
 his success largely to the liberal dressings of Nitrate of 
 Soda which he invariably applied to his fields early in 
 the spring, and which started the grass off with such a 
 vigorous growth as to shade and crowd out all noxious 
 weeds before they got fairly started and which resulted 
 I Wn a large crop of clean and high-priced hay. 
 
 It is also known that many who have tested his methods 
 have met with failure chieflv because thev neglected to 
 
 How Careful 
 Cultivation 
 May Aid in the 
 Profitable Use 
 of Nitrate. 
 
 1. Williuut Nitrogen., 2. % Ration of Nitrogen. 3. Full Ration of 
 
 Nitrogen. 
 
 All three fertilized alike with Muriate of Potash and Acid Phosi:)hate. — 
 
 R. I. Bui. 103. 
 
 supply the young grass plants with a sufficient amount 
 of readily available food for their use in 
 early spring, and before the organic 
 forms of Nitrogen, which exist in the soil 
 only in an insoluble form and which can- 
 not be utilized by the plants as food, 
 are converted into soluble Nitrates by 
 the action of bacteria in the soil. This 
 does not occur to any great extent until the soil warms 
 up to summer temperature when it is too late in the sea- 
 son to benefit the crops' early spring growth. 
 
 It is important that we always bear in mind the fact 
 that our only source of Nitrogen in the soil for all plants 
 is the remnants of former crops (roots, stems, dead 
 leaves, weeds, etc.) in different stages of decomposition, 
 and that in the early spring there is always a scarcity of 
 Nitrogen in the soil in an available form, for the reason 
 that the most of that which was converted into soluble 
 
Food for Plants. 95 
 
 forms by the action of the soil bacteria during the warm 
 summer months of the previous year was utilized by the 
 plants occupying the ground at that time or has been 
 carried down just below the reach of the roots of the 
 young plants by the melting snow and the heavy rains of 
 late winter and early spring, and does not come up in 
 early spring in time to be of use. 
 
 AVhen we consider the fact that most plants require 
 and take up about 75 x>er cent, of their total Nitrate 
 Nitrogen during the earlier stages of their growth and 
 that Nitrogen is the element most largely entering into 
 the building up of the life principle (or protoplasm) of 
 all plants, it is plain that we cannot afford to jeopardize 
 the chances of growing crops by having only an insuffi- 
 cient supply of immediately available Nitrogen when it 
 is most needed. 
 
 WHAT PERCENTAGE OF WATER DOES HAY LOSE 
 DURING STORAGE? 
 
 Result of Rhode Island Official Experiment. 
 
 Hay which had been stored during the summer 
 was removed from the mow the following February, and 
 found to contain 12.21 per cent, of water. A careful com- 
 parison of other moisture determinations of hay leads to 
 the conclusion that 12.21 is a fair general average of the 
 percentage of water in the best quality of barn-cured 
 hay. When hay is first stored it usually contains from 
 20 to 28 per cent, of moisture. The loss in storage may 
 be said to be about 12 to 16 per cent. 
 
 Growing hay for market is a subject that is receiving 
 much attention from progressive farmers of late for 
 several reasons, viz. : 
 
 First, growing hay for market on a portion of the farm 
 is a partial solution of the serious labor problem ; since 
 it is much easier to get several hands during the rush 
 of the short haying season than to get good, efficient labor 
 for eight or more months of the year; 
 
|)() Food fo]; Plants. 
 
 Second, there arc usually several fields on nearly every 
 Tarni in inosl sections, which, owinii,' to the heavy char- 
 acter of the soil, or for various other reasons, are more 
 suitahle for growin,i>- hay than for growing the several 
 crops usually gro\\n in a regular rotation; 
 
 Third, where the method of seeding down a portion 
 of a large farm to hay has been practiced it has fre- 
 quently proven that the net profit per year from the 
 smaller acreage devoted to grain and hoed crops, because 
 of the more liberal fertilizing and l)etter cultivation given 
 them, was as great as was formerly obtained from the 
 entire farm, leaving the value of the hay as clear gain 
 over the old method. 
 
 The selling price per ton of good No. 1 timothy hay in 
 the markets of America usually ranges between 10 and 
 20 per cent, higher than that of clover hay, the difference 
 frequently being nearly enough to cover the cost of har- 
 vesting and marketing the crop. This, coupled with the 
 fact that the yield per acre of timothy is al)out equal to 
 that of clover, and it is much easier to cure into good 
 marketable condition, makes it evident that timothy is 
 the more profitable to raise for market in those States 
 where the soil and climatic conditions are favorable. 
 
 We have been trying too often to grow timothy by 
 seeding it with wdieat or rye, and smothering it out with 
 the grain crop the first year, and again with clover the 
 second year, until the remaining timothy plants have 
 become so weakened because of these unfavorable condi- 
 tions and the lack of necessary plant food that they can 
 only make a stunted growth. The result of this general 
 method of growing hay has -been an average yield for the 
 whole country of one and one-quarter tons per acre, 
 while, by adopting better methods, it is possible to grow 
 three or four tons per acre and, w^here conditions are 
 extremely favorable, as much as six tons of timothy per 
 acre can often be growm in one season. 
 
 In view of the conditions here pointed out, an experi- 
 ment was ])lanned in order to determine whether on soils 
 naturally well adapted for hay growing, but out of con- 
 
Food for Plants. 97' 
 
 ditioii, it is practicable to properly prepare the land and 
 to maintain the meadow so as to secure profitable crops 
 for a period of years by the nse of commercial fertilizers 
 alone. 
 
 Location of the Experiments and Condition of the Land. 
 
 The land npon which the experiments were made is 
 located on the eastern central grazing and dairy plateau 
 of New York, at Highlands experimental farms. Both 
 river flatland and upland soils were used, making it pos- 
 sible to study both kinds of soil where climatic and sea- 
 sonal conditions w^ere the same. The character of the 
 flatland is made up of silt, which is of considerable depth 
 and which is still being deposited by means of overflows 
 each spring. It was badly infested with wild sedge grass, 
 and one portion of the meadow had not been harvested 
 for several years. The uplands are more or less rolling, 
 of light loam, not excessively rich in humus, and some- 
 times affected b}' droughts. 
 
 Preparation of Soil and Seeding-. 
 
 Preparation for the experiments was begun in 1904; 
 and typical areas were laid off and the land prepared in 
 the best manner. 
 
 A method of seeding in this part of the State is to 
 sow timothy in corn at the last cultivation, usually the 
 latter part of July. The corn is planted as early as pos- 
 sible, and just before the last cultivation 20 quarts of 
 timothy seed are used per acre. 
 
 In this experiment the flatland crop of wild sedge grass 
 was cut early in June, the field plowed, and was then fre- 
 quently cultivated until about the first of September, 
 when it was carefully seeded at the rate of 20 ciuarts of 
 timothy per acre. 
 
 Two methods of seeding were practiced on the upland ; 
 in one case the pasture was plowed early, seeded to oats, 
 and as soon as the crop was harvested, the stubble was 
 plowed, then frequently cultivated, and seeded with 20 
 quarts of timothy per acre about the 15th of September. 
 4 
 
98 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 In tlio other case, the pasture land was plowed in June, 
 roUetl down and thoroughly and frequently cultivated 
 and similarly seeded about the 24th of September. The 
 latter method, however, did not kill the native grass, and 
 is not reconnncnded. 
 
 Crop of Grass Grown b\ tlie Use of Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 Fertilizers Used. 
 
 Since one object of this experiment was to determine 
 whether profitable cropping could be continued for more 
 than one season, the land was not only thoroughly pre- 
 pared, but amply supplied with phosphoric acid, potash 
 and lime, in order that there might be no deficiency in 
 the quantity of mineral constituents required for the 
 crop. On the highest and most gravelly portion of the 
 upland, stable manure was applied to supply humus and 
 increase the absorptive power of the soil, and on all the 
 land one ton of hme was applied per acre before plowing. 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 99 
 
 After plowing and rolling and before harrowing, there 
 was applied to each acre 600 ponnds acid phosphate, 200 
 pounds sulphate of potash, and, in addition to this, the 
 lowland received an application of 740 ponnds of basic 
 slag phosphate, and the upland 540 pounds. The Nitro- 
 gen was all in the form of Nitrate, and was applied 
 broadcast in the spring. 
 
 The following table shows the kinds and amounts of 
 fertilizers that were applied for the crops of 190'5 and 
 1906 : 
 
 The Tedders lulldw llic Mnwnm :\l;icliitH'> h.i 1:4. hI rii,,,:_: .m li..i\y 
 
 crops of liay. 
 
 Kiinl <()}(l Qnantily of Fertilisers Used Per Acre. 
 
 Upland Lowland 
 
 1905, 1900. 190.-., 190C. 
 
 Pi)uud.s Pound.s Pounds Pounds 
 
 Lime 2,00n .... 2,000 
 
 Wood Ashes •''^-O • • • • ^20 
 
 Acid Phosphate «()0 578 600 578 
 
 Basic Slag •'^40 740 
 
 Sulpliate of Potash 200 .... 200 
 
 Nitrate of Soda 200 1G8 200 112 
 
 The mineral fertilizers for the crop of 1905 were ap- 
 plied in the fall of 1904, those for the crop of 1906 were 
 
TOO Food for Plants. 
 
 ap])lii'(] diniiii;' tlio suinnior of 1905. The Nitrate of Soda 
 was all ai)])lic'(l ])r()a( least in the spring, and was evenly 
 (lislril)uted as soon as the grass had nicely started. The 
 quantities of Nitrate api)lied were not as large as is some- 
 times recommended, hut were sufficient to provide for a 
 large yield. 
 
 The effect of the thorough preparation of soil was 
 noticeable at once in the good stand of plants secured, 
 and in the vigorous growth and good top made in the 
 fall. The plants wintered well, and after the Nitrate 
 application had been made the grass on these plots grew 
 luxuriantly, and made a large yield of hay. 
 
 The main point was to determine whether it was a 
 paying proposition, and the following tables show the 
 yield and value of crops, as well as the profits derived 
 when mineral fertilizers only are used, and also when 
 Nitrate of Soda is used in addition. 
 
 Yield of Crops in 1905. 
 
 Upland Lowland 
 
 With 200 lbs. With 200 lbs. 
 
 Without Nitrate Without Nitrate 
 
 Nitrate per acre Nitrate per aore 
 
 Yield per acre.. . . . 3,180 lbs. 8,340 ll).s. 0,985 lbs. 8,712 lbs. 
 Increase from Ni- 
 trate 5,160 lbs. lG2';i 1,727 lbs. 24.77c 
 
 These results are strikingly significant, showing in 
 the first place the difference in adaptability of the two 
 soils for hay growing. The upland was deficient in 
 humus, and heing dry and gravelly, was unable to pro- 
 vide Nitrogen in any quantity although an abundance of 
 minerals was present. The low^land, on the other hand; 
 containing a large proportion, was capable of furnish- 
 ing the Nitrogen needed for a relatively large crop, or 
 more than double that on the upland. This is a very 
 clear illustration of the importance of the use of Nitro- 
 gen with minerals, if full crops are to be produced. The 
 application of Nitrate of Soda on the upland proved 
 much more efficient than on the lowland, not only in 
 supplying Nitrogen in immediately available forms, but 
 in energizing the plants to obtain more from the soil, 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 101 
 
 showing a gain in yield of 162 per cent., while on the low- 
 land the gain was but 24.7 per cent. ; the soil itself being 
 able in the latter case to supply a larger proportion of 
 the Nitrogen required to produce a crop as large as the 
 climatic and seasonal conditions would permit. The fol- 
 lowing table shows the financial results of the two experi- 
 ments from two standpoints: (1) Whether it is profit- 
 able to grow hay under the conditions, as outlined here ; 
 and (2) whether the use of Nitrate will pay. 
 
 1905. Co.^t of Crop,. 
 
 The first point of im|)orlance shown by this detailed 
 statement is that notwithstanding the expense involved, 
 there is a profit in hay growing; that it pays to expend 
 money for the good preparation of soil, for good seed and 
 for fertilizers — in fact, if the entire cost had been 
 charged to the first crop, there would have been a profit 
 of $5.23 per acre where Nitrate was used on the upland. 
 Second, that it pays to use Nitrate ; and third, that the 
 kind of soil to which Nitrate is applied measures in a 
 marked degree the profit to be derived from its applica- 
 tion. On the uplancl, the crop without Nitrate was worth 
 but $19.08 per acre, while the application of 200 pounds 
 of Nitrate caused the value to increase to $50.24 — a gain 
 of $31.16 per acre. Deducting the cost of the nitrate and 
 extra cost of harvesting, we have a net increase in value 
 of $20.50 per acre, or for each dollar invested a net 
 return of nearlv $4. 
 
102 Food for Plants. 
 
 Oil tlio lowland, the crop without Nitrate was worth 
 $41.!)1 \)vr acre, and, with Nitrate, $52.27, a gain of $10.;-.6, 
 whieh is reduced to $3.14 when the cost of Nitrate and 
 harvest iii.i;- is deducted, still a good profit on the invest- 
 ment, though clearly indicating that Nitrogen was not the 
 limiting factor in crop production as was the case on the 
 ui)land. In making the tables, the actual cost of labor, 
 seed and fertilizers was used. The value of the hay was 
 estimated at $12 per ton, and based on weights at time 
 of harvesting. The shrinkage of hay will range from 
 15 to 25 per cent. ; assuming the shrinkage to be as un- 
 usually high as 25 per cent., the value per ton would have 
 to increase to $16 to balance, which is lower than prevail- 
 ing prices have been since that year for No. 1 timothy. 
 
 Crops of 1906. 
 
 The experiment was continued in 190(3, on the same 
 areas. In order to insure a constant and abundant sup- 
 ply, mineral fertilizers ^vere again added in the form of 
 W'Ood ashes and acid phosphate, and in the amounts 
 showm in the table, namely, 520 pounds of w^ood ashes 
 and 578 pounds of acid phosphate per acre on both the 
 fields. 
 
 The applications of Nitrate wi>re, however, reduced 
 from 200 to 168 pounds on the upland; and to 112 pounds 
 on the lowland per acre. These fertilizers were all evenly 
 distributed in the spring of 1906. The effect of the Ni- 
 trate was again immediately noticeable in increasing the 
 vigor of the plants. The yields w^ere as follows : 
 
 Yield of Crops in 190G. 
 
 Upland Lowland 
 
 With With 
 
 168 lbs. 112 lbs. 
 
 Without Nitrate Witliout Nitrate 
 
 Nitrate per acre Nitrate per acre 
 
 Yield i)er acre.... 3,200 lbs. 0,240 lbs. 5,920 lbs. 8,080 lbs. 
 Increase from Ni- 
 trate 3,040 lbs. 95.0% 2,1G0 lbs. 36.4% 
 
 These results confirm those for 1905 on the whole, 
 though there are points of difference which may be rea- 
 
Food foe Plants. 
 
 103 
 
 sonably charged to season and to the effect of the growth 
 of the first crop. On the upland, which was poor in 
 humus and Nitrogen, the yield of the plot without Nitrate 
 differs but little from that of 1905, while on the lowland, 
 the soil rich in humus, the yield without Nitrate is much 
 lower than in 1905. On the upland the Nitrogen at the 
 disposal of the plant did not exist in easily changeable 
 forms, and hence was not largely exhausted under the 
 energy of the extra mineral food. The lowland, on the 
 
 Hay Weeds 
 Unfertilized 
 
 Hay Weeds Hay Weeds 
 
 Nitrate of Soda Sulphate of Ammonia 
 
 Hav Weeds 
 Dried Blood 
 
 Hay Weeds 
 : Limed 
 
 other haiid, doubtless contained considerable Nitrogen 
 in easily changeable forms, which under the influence of 
 the available phosphoric acid and lime was made effec- 
 tive on the grass, and resulted in a comparatively large 
 yield, leaving the soil much poorer in Nitrogen for the 
 next crop. 
 
 It would appear from this reasoning, that the need for 
 applied Nitrogen, while greater for the upland in 1905 
 than in 1906, is not so striking as in the lowland. This 
 
104 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 assuinplioii is borne out by the facts; the gain on the 
 uphind in 1906 is 3,040 pounds, or 95 per cent., as against 
 a gain of 5,160 pounds, or 162 per cent, in 1905; Avhile 
 the gain on the lowhmd is 36.4 per cent, in 1906, as 
 against 24.7 per cent, in 1905. The lower percentage 
 increase in yield from Nitrate on the upland being due 
 in part, at least, to the fact that the Nitrate used in 1905 
 energized the plants to acquire more from soil sources 
 than was possible with the use of minerals only, and in 
 part to the lower quantity applied in 1906, 168 pounds 
 instead of 200 pounds. 
 
 On the lowland the greater percentage increase this 
 year, due to Nitrate, is for the same reason that it was 
 greater in 1905 on the upland than in 1906. This is a 
 clear demonstration again of the influence of character 
 of soil as a determining factor. Instead of reducing the 
 amount of Nitrate used in 1906, it should have been in- 
 creased, especially on the upland. The value of crop and 
 profits are also influenced by the smaller amounts of 
 Nitrate applied, as shown in the comparative prolits in 
 the tabulated statement. 
 
 1906. Co!<t of Crops. 
 
 -2 
 
 
 "St; 
 
 -^ 
 
 Upland: 
 
 With Nitrate 
 
 Without Nitrate. 
 
 Lowland 
 
 With Nitr.ite 
 
 Without Nitrate. 
 
 6240 
 3200 
 
 8080 
 5920 
 
 $.5 19 
 5 19 
 
 5 42 
 5 42 
 
 $12 60 
 7 90 
 
 11 04 
 7 90 
 
 $0 90 
 60 
 
 $6 24 
 3 20 
 
 8 08 
 5 92 
 
 $24 93 
 16 89 
 
 25 44 
 19 84 
 
 $37 44 
 19 20 
 
 48 48 
 35 52 
 
 $12 51 
 2 31 
 
 23 04 
 15 68 
 
 $10 20 
 
 7 36 
 
 In making up this table, the actual cost of labor and 
 fertilizers is recorded, while the value of dry hay was 
 estimated to be $12 per ton when stored, as in 1905. 
 
 As a whole, the results confirm those of 1905 in show- 
 ing a profit in all cases, ranging from $2.31 per acre. 
 
Food for Plants. 105 
 
 without Nitrate, on the uphiiid, to $23.04 with Nitrate, 
 on the lowland. It is to be expected from the preceding- 
 discussion that the relative profits from the use of Ni- 
 trate on the two areas is changed, the net profit of $20.50 
 on the upland being reduced to $10.20, and that of $3.14 
 on the lowland being increased to $7.36 per acre. These 
 net results, secured under what would be regarded as 
 expensive methods, are certainly satisfactory from a 
 financial standpoint, and indicate that on lands requiring 
 expensive treatment hay growing may be made profit- 
 able and warrant the following general suggestions as to 
 the growing of profitable crops : 
 
 The essential conditions necessary for obtaining maxi- 
 mum crops of timothy are, first, a clean, thick stand of 
 healthy timothy plants; second, an abundance of avail- 
 able plant food is needed by the plants to make a normal 
 growth. 
 
 It must not be overlooked that available plant food 
 at the right time implies that there shall be sufficient 
 moisture present in the soil to carry the plant food into 
 the roots of the plants in a soluble form; and just in 
 proportion as we fail to have a sufficient supply of mois- 
 ture present when needed, we render our supply of plant 
 food unavailable as far as plant growth is concerned. 
 Thus, it is well known that very frequently the limiting 
 factor in the growth of plants is a lack of sufficient 
 moisture in the soil at a critical time rather than a 
 deficiency of actual plant food in the soil. 
 
 For this reason it is best to select those portions of a 
 farm for growing timothy, in which the soil is rather 
 heavy and retentive of moisture. A\1ien there is a supply 
 of stable manure available for use in hay growing, it 
 should, whenever possible, be plowed under or otherwise 
 worked into the soil before seeding, and not be used as 
 a top-dressing on meadows already seeded, for the rea- 
 son that the chief value of stable manure is that it adds 
 large quantities of humus-making material to our soils, 
 and the soils need their humus in them and not on them. 
 
10() Food fou Plants. 
 
 I'or similar reasons stable manure sliould Ix- applied to 
 those soils most deficient in humus and not to the nuick 
 lands and those that are naturally moist. 
 
 Preparing Land. 
 
 The river-bottom lands, because of their silt forma- 
 tion and the added fertility which they receive in their 
 annual overflow, together with their abundant supply of 
 moisture during the entire season, are able to produce 
 the largest crops of timothy, at the lowest cost per ton, 
 but these soils are usually very foul with quack, sedges 
 and wild grasses, Avhich must l)e largely eradicated, in 
 order to get a stand of clean timothy. 
 
 Where there are stumps or rocks that would interfere 
 with the operations of haying machinery, it is advisable 
 to remove them wherever possible, and it was found that 
 the judicious use of dynamite effected a great saving in 
 the time and expense of this operation. 
 
 After plowing, the land sliould be rolled and then thor- 
 oughly worked every week or ten days up to seeding 
 time. The field should be worked in small lands, going 
 around each land, and always lapping the harrow one- 
 half, so that the surface may be kept level. 
 
 If there are any deep holes in the field, resulting from 
 the removal of boulders or other cause, they should be 
 filled in at the time of the first harrowing, and if there 
 are any surface ditches they should be made shallow with 
 gradually sloping sides, wherever possible, so that the 
 entire surface of the field can be gone over with a mowing 
 machine in any direction when the hay crop is to be 
 harvested. 
 
 The difference in the expense of preparing a field right, 
 or only partially so, is slight, when considering possible 
 breakage of machinery when harvesting the crops of sev- 
 eral years, figured on the basis of low cost per ton of 
 product, and this factor is of double importance in the 
 preparation of land on which it is possible to harvest 
 two crops each season. 
 
Food for Plants. lOT 
 
 Liming'. 
 
 It is known that timothy cannot thrive and yield maxi- 
 mum crops in a sour soil, while red-top seems to delight 
 in such soil, and one of the surest indications that a soil 
 is sour is w^hen we find the timothy meadow^ run out after 
 two or three years and the ground occupied Iw red-top. 
 The presence of sorrel, five-finger mosses, daisies and 
 mulleins are also indications of a sour soil, and timothy 
 cannot be made to do its best on those soils until they 
 are made sweet. The quickest and most practical way 
 to accomplish this is by the liberal application of lime in 
 some form. This may be applied in the form of stone 
 lime, either ground or unground, or air-slaked; or in 
 connection W'itli potash in wood ashes. The amount of 
 lime to apply should be generally about one-half ton per 
 acre. 
 
 If we use lime in the form of ashes or ground stone 
 lime, it can be drilled into the soil at the right depth with 
 a fertilizer drill, but if w^e use air-slaked lime or lump 
 lime and slake it in the field, it should be spread either 
 before plowing or immediately after the first harrowing 
 and before the ground is rolled, so that the bulk of the 
 lime will get down into the soil at the right depth. 
 
 Mineral Fertilizers. 
 
 This question of the correct application of the mineral 
 elements of plant food is of great importance, and has 
 not received the consideration it deserves — especially 
 is this so in regard to fertilizing meadows or grass lands, 
 w^hich usually'' remain seeded dow^l for several years, and 
 there is no time after the seed is sown that the phosphoric 
 acid and potash can be gotten down into the soil where 
 they belong, which place is from three to six inches under 
 the surface. When phosphoric acid or potash are used 
 as a top-dressing for meadows, it is known that they 
 become fixed largely in the surface and consequently tend 
 to attract the feeding roots of the plants to the surface 
 
108 Food for Plants. 
 
 (»r tlio soil, wlii'ic tlu'v arc least al)le to withstand the 
 elTects of drought, which is so often such a serious factor. 
 
 The amount of phosphoric acid and potash to be used 
 depends ui)on the soil entirely, and can only he approxi- 
 mated, Init the fact that they both become fixed in the 
 soil so that there is practically no danger of loss from 
 one season to another, allows us to be more liberal than 
 we otherwise would, and since the best time to apply it is 
 before the seed is sown, w^e should be liberal in regard to 
 the quantity used for obvious reasons. 
 
 For good, medium clay land of average fertility, there 
 should be drilled into the soil broadcast, at least 400 
 pounds per acre of 14 per cent, acid phosphate and 100 
 pounds per acre of sulphate of potash or its equivalent. 
 If the soil is poor, sandy or gravelly or is a peatj^ or 
 nmck soil, which are known to be usually deficient in 
 these elements, the quantity of each should be doubled. 
 Remember when it comes to fertilizing our crops, the 
 ([uestion we should ask ourselves is not " how much will 
 it cost me to furnish my crop with the food that it 
 needs?" but '' how much will it cost me not to do so?" 
 
 Acid phosphate appears to be the safest and the best 
 form in which to appl}^ phosphoric acid to soils for hay 
 growing generally. 
 
 High-grade sulphate of potash is one 
 Potash salts. of the most satisfactoiy of the commer- 
 
 cial ])otasli salts and its use does not 
 tend to deplete the soil of its lime as does the use of muri- 
 ate of potash. The phosphoric acid and potash should be 
 applied to the soil broadcast to the depth of at least three 
 inches from one to two weeks before sowing the seed. 
 Hardwood ashes are excellent when not adulterated, as a 
 source of potash and lime. 
 
 Seeding. 
 
 Twenty quarts per acre of the best recleaned timothy 
 seed obtainable is the right quantity to sow per acre, and 
 this should be sown between August 15th and Septem- 
 ber 15th, the time that timothy naturally reseeds itself. 
 
Food for Plants. 109 
 
 It can best be sown with a wheelbarrow, broadcast grass 
 seeder, sowing- ten quarts each way of the field for most 
 even distribution, after which the seed should be dragged 
 into the soil about one inch deep, by going over the field 
 once or twice Avith a slant-tooth drag or a weeder with 
 sufficient weight attached to obtain the desired result. 
 
 Finish the operation by going over the field with a 
 roller, to roll down the loose stones on the surface and 
 to compact the surface soil, thus bringing the moisture to 
 the surface so that the seed will all germinate at once and 
 come up evenly over the entire field. 
 
 Nitrate Application. 
 
 So far we have insured a good, clean, thick stand of 
 healthy timothy plants, and we have supplied them liber- 
 ally A\'ith the mineral plant foods that are liable to be 
 deficient in the soil, but we have made no provision for 
 the plants having an abundant supply of available Nitro- 
 gen the next spring when they are making their most 
 rapid growth, and their need is greatest. At that time 
 there is always a scant supply of soluble Nitrogen in the 
 surface soil, owing to the fact that when the excess mois- 
 ture settles down into the lower levels of the soil it 
 carries Nitrogen in solution with it, and the stores of 
 humus Nitrogen are not rendered soluble, except in very 
 slight amounts, until the soil warms up to a degree of 
 temperature wherein the soil bacteria again become ac- 
 tive and convert organic and other forms of Nitroseu 
 into Nitrates. 
 
 To overcome this natural deficiency of soluble Nitro- 
 gen at a critical time in the growth of the timothy plants, 
 we must supply it in an available form, and this can best 
 l3e done by applying broadcast about 100 to 200 pounds 
 of Nitrate of Soda per acre as a top-dressing as soon as 
 growth starts in the spring. 
 
 Cornell University Experiment Station Bulletin, No. 
 247, p. 203, puts it thus : 
 
 " Having water-soluble Nitrogen on tap at the right hour and tlic 
 right place is one of the factors that enable the Cornell Station to grow 
 
1 10 l\u)\) I'OK 1*1, AXIS. 
 
 tliroc mill (iiic-linir tons of linidtliy liny mi |)iiiikii-k r\:iy loain, when 
 without this ;niilici;il liclp only nlimit one ;iii(l onc-linir lo)is could lir 
 raised." 
 
 Report of Experiments. 
 
 Season of 1906. 
 llij>iilaii(l ExporiiiuMitnl I'arms, New York. 
 
 Tlio average yields per acre of lield-cured hay on the 
 uplands were as follows : 
 
 No Nitrate — 3,200 pounds per acre. 
 
 168 lbs. Nitrate — 6,240 pounds per acre. 
 
 The average yields per acre of field-cured hay on the 
 lowlands were as follows : 
 
 No Nitrate — 5,920 pounds per acre. 
 
 112 lbs. of Nitrate — 8,080 pounds per acre. 
 
 Com para th-c Siinnuaru of Tiniotliij Haij Yickh, 19l>5 (iml lilOii. 
 
 Uplands. 
 
 1905. No Nitrate — 3,180 lbs. 300 lbs. Nitrate — S,340 lbs. 
 
 1906. No Nitrate — 3,200 lbs. 168 lbs. Nitrate — 6,'240 lbs. 
 
 Lowlands. 
 
 1905. No Nitrate — 6,985 ll)s. 200 lbs. Nitrate — 8,712 lbs. 
 
 1906. No Nitrates — 5.920 lbs. 112 lbs. Nitrate — 8,080 lbs. 
 
 Yield of original '' No Nitrate " hollow square plot in 
 field of timothy and red top : 
 
 Season of 1905 — 3,180 lbs. 
 Season of 1906 — 1,760 lb.s. 
 
 The \ields are lower for 190G than for 190r) owing to 
 
 smaller applications of Nitrate and probably also to the 
 
 fact that there was much less rainfall during the growing 
 
 season. 
 
 Distribution of Nitrogen in (lie Grain and Straiv of the Principal 
 
 Cereals. 
 
 NITROGEN PER TWO AND ONE-HALF ACRES. 
 
 Grain. 
 
 Oats, Barley, Wheat, Rye, 
 
 82.42 lbs. 86.61 lbs. 81.10 lbs. 67.44 lbs. 
 
 Rape Seed Peas, Vetches, Broad Beans, 
 
 176.32 lbs. 117.03 lbs. 143.92 lbs. 181.16 lbs. 
 
 St raw. 
 
 Oats, Barley, Wheat, Ryo, 
 
 26.4 lbs. 26.4 lbs. 33.06 lbs. 29.. 31 lbs. 
 
 Rape Seed, Peas, ^'otchps, Broad Reans, 
 
 29.75 lbs 118.35 lbs. 112.40 lbs. 79.34 lbs. 
 
P^ooD FOR Plants. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Distribution of Nitrogen in the Principal Root Crops. 
 
 NITROGEN PER TWO AND ONE-HALF ACRES. 
 
 Sugarbeet, 
 
 105.79 lbs 
 
 Sugarbeet, 
 
 52.89 lbs. 
 
 Beetroot, 
 
 138.85 lbs. 
 
 Beetroot, 
 
 80.66 Ib^ 
 
 Roots. 
 
 Swedes, 
 
 165.30 lbs. 
 Leaf. 
 
 Swedes, 
 
 55.1 lbs. 
 
 Carrots, 
 
 145.46 lbs. 
 
 Carrots, 
 
 168.60 lbs. 
 
 Potatoes, 
 
 112.40 lbs. 
 Tubers. 
 
 Potatoes 
 
 15.11 lbs. 
 
 Shatvs. 
 
 GRADES OF HAY AND STRAW. 
 
 Adopted by the National Hay Association. 
 Hay. 
 
 No. 1 Timothy Hay: Shall be timothy with not more 
 than one-eighth ('^) mixed with clover or other tame 
 grasses properly cured, good color, somid and well baled. 
 
 Standard Timothy: Shall be timothy with not more 
 than one-eighth (i/g) mixed with clover or other tame 
 grasses, fair color, containing brown blades, and brown 
 heads, sound and well baled. 
 
 No. 2 Timothy Hay : Shall be timothy not good enough 
 for No. 1 not over one-fourth (14) mixed with clover or 
 other tame grasses, fair color, sound and well baled. 
 
 No. 3 Timothy Hay: Shall include all hay not good 
 enough for other grades, sound and well baled. 
 
 Light Clover Mixed Hay: Shall be timothy mixed 
 with clover. The clover mixture not over one- third (%) 
 properly cured, sound, good color and well baled. 
 
 No. 1 Clover Mixed Hay : Shall be timothy and clover 
 mixed, with at least one-half (1/0) timothy, good color, 
 sound and well baled. 
 
 Heavy Clover IMixed Hay : Shall be timothy and clover 
 mixed with at least one-fourth (14) timothy sound and 
 well baled. 
 
 No. 2 Clover Mixed Hay : Shall 'be timothy and clover 
 mixed with at least one-third (%) timothy. Reasonably 
 sound and well baled. 
 
 No. 1 Clover Hay : Shall be medium clover not over 
 one-twentieth (1/20) other grasses, properly cured, 
 sound and well baled. 
 
11- Food foi; Plants. 
 
 No, 2 Clover Hay: Shall Ix' clover soiiiid, well baled, 
 not good enong-li for Xo. 1. 
 
 Sample Hay: Shall include all hay badly cured, 
 stained, threshed or in any way unsound. 
 
 Choice Prairie Ilay : Shall be upland hay of bright, 
 natural color, well cured, sweet, sound, and may contain 
 3 per cent, weeds. 
 
 No. 1 Prairie Hay : Shall be upland and may contain 
 one-quarter (14) midland, both of good color, well cured, 
 sweet, sound, and may contain 8 per cent, weeds. 
 
 No. 2 Prairie Hay : Shall be upland, of fair color and 
 may contain one-half midland, both of good color, well 
 cured, sweet, sound, and may contain 12i^ per cent, 
 weeds. 
 
 No. 3 Prairie Hay : Shall include hay not good enough 
 for other grades and not caked. 
 
 No. 1 Midland Hay: Shall be midland hay of good 
 color, well cured, sweet, sound, and may contain 3 per 
 cent, weeds. 
 
 No. 2 Midland Hay : Shall be fair color or slough hay 
 of good color, and may contain ]2i/o i)er cent, weeds. 
 
 Packing Hay: Shall include all wild hay not good 
 enough for other grades and not caked. 
 
 Sample Prairie Hay : Shall include all hay not good 
 enough for other grades. 
 
 Straw. 
 
 No. 1 Straight Eye Straw: Shall be in large bales, 
 clean, bright, long rye straw, pressed in bundles, sound 
 and well baled. 
 
 No. 2 Straight Rye Straw: Shall be in large bales, 
 long rye straw pressed in bundles, sound and well baled, 
 not good enough for No. 1. 
 
 No. 1 Tangled Eye Straw : Shall l)e reasonably clean 
 rye straw, good color, sound and well 1)aled. 
 
 No. 2 Tangled Eye Straw: Shall be reasonably clean, 
 may be some stained, but not good enough for No. 1. 
 
 No. 1 AVheat Straw : Shall be reasonabU' clean wheat 
 straw, sound and well baled. 
 
Food for Plants. 113 
 
 No. 2 Wheat Straw : Shall be reasonably clean ; may 
 be some stained, but not good enough for No. 1. 
 
 No. 1 Oat Straw : Shall be reasonably clean oat straw, 
 sound and well baled. 
 
 No. 2 Oat Straw: Shall be reasonably clean; may be 
 some stained, but not good enough for No. 1. 
 
 Alfalfa. 
 
 Choice Alfalfa : Shall be reasonably fme leafy alfalfa 
 of bright green color, properly cured, sound, sweet, and 
 well baled. 
 
 No. 1 Alfalfa: Shall be reasonably coarse alfalfa of 
 a bright green color, or reasonably fine leafy alfalfa of a 
 good color and may contain 2 per cent, of foreign grasses, 
 5 per cent, of air bleached hay on outside of bale allowed, 
 but must be sound and well baled. 
 
 Standard Alfalfa: May be of green color, of coarse 
 or medium texture, and may contain 5 per cent, foreign 
 matter ; or it may be of green color, of coarse or medium 
 texture, 20 per cent, bleached and 2 per cent, foreign mat- 
 ter ; or it may be of a greenish cast of fine stem and cling- 
 ing foliage, and may contain 5 per cent, foreign matter, 
 all to be sound, sweet, and well baled. 
 
 No. 2 Alfalfa : Shall be of any sound, sweet and well 
 baled alfalfa, not good enough for standard, and may 
 contain 10 per cent, foreign matter. 
 
 No. 3 Alfalfa : May contain 35 per cent, stack-spotted 
 hay, but must be dry and not to contain more than 8 per 
 cent, of foreign matter ; or it may be of a green color and 
 may contain 50 per cent, foreign matter; or it may be set 
 alfalfa and may contain 5 per cent, foreign matter, all to 
 be reasonably well baled. 
 
 No grade Alfalfa : Shall include all alfalfa not good 
 enough for No. 3. 
 
 The Alfalfa, Cow Pea and Clover Question. 
 
 This class of plants has the property 
 
 Use of of taking inert Nitrogen from the air 
 
 Legumes. and transforming it into combinations 
 
 more or less useful as plant food. This 
 
1 14 Kooi) KOIi r^LANTS. 
 
 feature is of ^reat value to ag'riculhu'e, but not so much 
 from the i)lant food jooint of view as from the fact that 
 those phuits are rich in that kind of food substance com- 
 monly called " flesh formers." Liberally fertilized, and 
 not omitting Nitrate in the fertilizer, we have a crop 
 containing more nitrogenous food (protein or flesh 
 fiormers) than the Nitrogen actually given as fertilizer 
 could have made by itself. The most common plants of 
 this class are : Alfalfa, alsike clover, crimson clover, red 
 clover, Japan clover, cow peas, lupines, Canadian field 
 peas, the vetches, etc. All these forage crops should be 
 sown after clean culture crops. The best method of fer- 
 tilizing is to apply from 300 to 500 pounds of fertilizer 
 early every autumn; in the spring broadcast 200 
 pounds of Nitrate of Soda, and repeat with about 100 
 pounds after each cutting. It is true that clovers may 
 supply their own nitrogenous plant food, but this is an 
 experiment experienced farmers do not often repeat. 
 A fair green crop of clover, for example, removes from 
 the soil some 160 pounds of Nitrogen, while in 500 pounds 
 of Nitrate of Soda there are less than 100 pounds. Un- 
 doubtedly, the Nitrogen taken from the air is a great 
 aid, but Ave should not expect too much of it. The method 
 of seeding clovers depends much upon locality and soil 
 needs with reference to pi-evious crops. Crimson clover 
 and Canadian Held peas are usually sown in August, 
 after earlier crops have been removed, or even in corn 
 fields. Red clover is commonly sown in the spring on 
 wheat or with oats. 
 
 Wheat. 
 
 The soil for this grain, fall planting, ranges from a 
 clay loam to a moderate sandy loam. For spring wheat, 
 moist peaty soils are used. Wheat is usually grown in 
 rotation, in which case it nearly always follows corn, or 
 a clean culture crop. The nature of cultivation is too 
 Avell known to require mention here. Both spring and 
 winter wheat are commonly fertilized crops, particularly 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 115 
 
 the latter. The average fertilizer for wheat should con- 
 tain Nitrogen, x)hosphoric acid and potash. This fer- 
 tilizer is applied with the seed, and at the rate of 500 
 pounds to the acre. Nitrate of Soda is also applied 
 broadcast as a dressing, soon after the crop shows gro^yth 
 in the spring, at the rate of 100 pounds per acre. Like 
 all grains, wheat should have its Nitrate plant food early, 
 and in the highly availalile, easily digested nitrated foTm, 
 such as is only to be found commercially as Nitrate of 
 Soda. 
 
 Wheat. 
 
 W heal — 14 Bushels. 
 Average product per acre for 
 the U. S. of wheat with average 
 farm fertilization. 
 
 Wheat — 37 Bushels. 
 The product of an acre of wheat 
 fertilized with Nitrate of Soda, 
 phosphates and potash. 
 
 The plant food needs of a crop of 30 bushels of wheat 
 per acre amounts to about 70 pounds of Nitrogen, 24 
 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 30 pounds of potash; this 
 includes the straw, chaff and stubble. One hundred 
 pounds of Nitrate of Soda supplies about 16 pounds of 
 Nitrogen, so that the quantity mentioned for application 
 is a minimum quantity. Much has been said of legume 
 
11(i Food for Plants. 
 
 Nitrogen Tor wheat, the crop being generally grown in 
 rotation. Whatever Nitrogen the clover may have gath- 
 ered, a crop of timothy and a crop of corn must be sup- 
 plied before the wheat rotation is reached. In all cases 
 where the acre yields have fallen off, a broadcast dress- 
 ing of Nitrate of Soda should be given. 
 
 Drill in with the wheat in the fall a 
 How to Apply mixture of 150 pounds of acid phosphate 
 Nitrate of Soda and 50 pounds Nitrate of Soda per acre, 
 to Wheat. If your land is sandy, add 50 pounds of 
 
 sulphate of potash to the above. Early 
 in the spring, sow broadcast 50 more pounds Nitrate of 
 Soda per acre. 
 
 Land sown to wheat in the fall and seeded down with 
 timothy and clover giving a heavy crop, followed by a 
 hea^^' hay crop the following year, proved the beneficial 
 after-effect of the Nitrate and that the Nitrate had not 
 leached away as so many critics claim, and further that 
 the soil had not been exhausted. 
 
 Professor Massey writes in regard to the effect of 
 Nitrate of Soda on AVheat, as follows : 
 
 " I liave made several exi)L'riinents with Nitrate of Soda. The first 
 was on wheat in Albemarle County, Virginia. 1 used 200 pounds per 
 aore on part of the field which had been fertilized with 400 pounds acid 
 phosphate in the fall. The result was 9 l)Ushols per acre more than (Ui 
 the rest of the field, and a stand of clover, while none of any account 
 stood on the rest of the field." 
 
 Instructions for using Nitrate of Soda on Wheat. 
 
 As soon as frost leaves the ground in the spring, apply 
 the Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting it evenly, by hand or 
 by machine, over the entire surface of the wheat iield you 
 are fertilizing, at the rate of 100 pounds per acre, which 
 is equal in bulk to one bushel. 
 
 Formula for Wheat. 
 
 Nitrate alone 100 lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferablv 
 
 Nitrate '. 150 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 150 " " " 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 117 
 
 When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash 
 to the acre every other year. 
 
 Fertilizer Experiment icith Wheat. 
 
 Phosphoric Acid Phosphoric Acid Phosphoric Acid and 
 
 and Potash with 1 oz. and Potash with i/4 oz. Potash without 
 
 Nitrate of Soda. Nitrate of Soda. Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 Yield : SVo oz. Grain. Yield : l^/^ oz. Grain. Yield : Y^ oz. Grain. 
 
118 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 Oats. 
 
 This grain does well on nearly all types of soil, but 
 responds freely to good treatment. There is a vast dif- 
 ference in the quality of oats when grown on poor or rich 
 soils. Perhaps no other crop so effectually conceals 
 impoverishment ; at the same time the feeding value of 
 oats grown on poor soil is very low. In the North oats 
 
 Oats. 
 
 30 Bushels. G5 Busliels. 
 
 A.veraiic product per acre, for The jn-oduct of an acre of oats 
 
 the U. 8. of oats, with average fertilized with Nitrate of Soda, 
 farm fertilization. 
 
 are sown in the spring, and usually after corn or a turned 
 down clover sod. In such cases the crop is rarely ever 
 given fertilizer, but shows an excellent return for a broad- 
 cast dressing of 100 pounds of Nitrate of Soda per acre. 
 The crop has strong foraging powers, and will find avail- 
 able mineral plant food where a wheat crop would utterly 
 fail. On soils pretty badly exhausted, an application of 
 400 pounds of fertilizer will yield a profitable return, 
 provided the dressing of Nitrate is not omitted. 
 Under any condition of soil or fertilizing, a sickly green 
 color of the young crop shows need of Nitrate of Soda 
 plant food, and the remedy is a dressing of Nitrate. In 
 seeding, use two or three bushels to the acre. 
 
Food for Plaistts. 119 
 
 In many places in Europe the cereals, like oats and 
 wheat, are planted or sown in rows and cultivated as we 
 cultivate Indian corn. It is claimed that this increases 
 yield materially, and is of great aid in helping to avoid 
 lodging. It requires less seed per acre and increases the 
 yield. 
 
 Another method in vogue is to sow less seed per acre 
 broadcast and use more fertilizer, so that the individual 
 stalks are stronger and bigger. 
 
 Autumn dressings of Nitrate are used frequently in 
 Europe, and in connection with minerals a "dressing of 
 as much as three hundred (300) pounds of Nitrate per 
 acre is used annually. 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate of Soda on Oats. 
 
 As soon as you sow the oats in the spring, apply the 
 Nitrate of Soda by broadcasting it evenly, by hand or 
 machine, over the entire surface of the oat field at the 
 rate of 100 pounds per acre. In bulk this is equal to 
 about one bushel. 
 
 Formula for Oats. 
 
 Nitrate alone 100 lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Nitrate ^ 150 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 150 " " " 
 
 "When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash 
 to the acre every other year. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 This is another illustration of the necessity of care in 
 the use of fertilizer Nitrogen. Eye does best on fight 
 soils so long as they are not too sandy, but if the soil 
 is rich in vegetable matter, or if a fertilizer is used con- 
 taining much organic ammoniate, the grain yield will be 
 disappointing; the crop fails to mature in season because 
 the nitration of organic Nitrogen or humus is greatest 
 
120 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 during the warm days of mid-summer, and a constant 
 supply of avaihiible Nitrate is being furnished at a time 
 when the crop should commence to mature. The crop 
 needs Nitrate, but it should have been supplied during 
 the earlier stages of growth. Use at first a general fer- 
 tilizer, 500 pounds per acre. As soon as the crop shows 
 growth, in the spring apply 100 pounds of Nitrate of 
 Soda to the acre, broadcast. 
 
 Bye. 
 
 Rye — 18 Bushels. 
 Average product per acre for 
 the U. S. of rye with average farm 
 fertilization. 
 
 Rye — 36 Bushels. 
 The product of an acre of rj'e 
 fertilized ■with Nitrate of Soda, 
 phosphates and potash. 
 
 Instructions for Using- Nitrate of Soda on Rye. 
 
 Just as soon as growth starts in the spring, or a little 
 earlier if possible, apply the Nitrate of Soda by broad- 
 casting it evenly, by hand or by machine, over the entire 
 surface of the rye field you are fertilizing, at the rate of 
 100 pounds per acre, w^hich is equal in bulk to one bushel. 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 121 
 
 Formula for Rye. 
 
 Nitrate alone 100 lbs. per acre 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Nitrate ^ 150 " " " 
 
 Acid Phosphate 150 " " " 
 
 When potash salts can be conveniently obtained we 
 advise the use of fifty pounds of sulphate of potash 
 to the acre every other year. 
 
 Buckwheat. 
 
 This crop does well on almost all kinds of soil, but 
 should follow a grain or hoed crop — that is, a clean 
 cultivation crop. On thin soils use about 400 pounds of 
 
 Buckirheat. 
 
 1 
 
 No Nitrate. 
 Yield, 19 bushels per acre. 
 
 Fertilized with 125 lbs. Nitrate of 
 
 Soda per acre. 
 
 Yield, 38 bushels per acre. 
 
 general fertilizer to the acre, applied just before seeding, 
 or even with the seed. Heavy soils do not require fer- 
 tilizing for this crop, as it has exceptional foraging 
 powers, and will find nourishment where many grain 
 crops would starve. As soon as the plants are well above 
 ground, broadcast 100 pounds of Nitrate of Soda per 
 
122 Food for Plants. 
 
 acre, both on stroiio- and li,i»-lit soils. Use one bushel 
 of si'vd ])vv acre on thin soils, hut a heavier application 
 on richer soils. 
 
 In many places in Europe the cereals, like oats and 
 \vheat, are ])lanted or sown in rows and cultivated as we 
 cultivate Indian corn. Tt is claimed that this increases 
 yield materially, and helps to avoid lodging. It requires 
 less seed per acre and increases the yield. 
 
 Another method in vogue is to sow less seed per acre 
 broadcast and use more fertilizer, so that the individual 
 stalks are stronger and bigger. 
 
 ORANGE GROVES IN FLORIDA. 
 
 An orange that weighs a pound would sell in New^ York 
 for a dime. When it takes as many as six to weigh a 
 pound they are almost w^orthless. 
 
 Satisfactory results have been obtained in Florida by 
 fertilizing during the cold season. About two months 
 before the period of grow^th begins, apply to each full- 
 grown tree a mixture of 7 pounds of 14 per cent, acid or 
 superphosphate and 4 pounds of sulphate of potash, by 
 working them into the soil; after which 4 pounds of 
 Nitrate of (Soda may be likewise applied. The ^vorking of 
 the soil must not be so deep or thorough as to start the 
 growth of the tree. An excess of Nitrate is to be avoided, 
 iDut the amount mentioned is not too much. All other 
 ammoniates on the market must be converted into Nitrate 
 by weathering and the action of the soil bacteria before 
 they can possibly be available for plant food. Nitrate 
 of Soda is a predigested Nitrogen. There is a danger of 
 loss of Nitrogen in all other forms as they must be con- 
 verted into Nitrate before becoming available as food, 
 and during this comparatively long process much of it 
 may be lost by rains and leaching, since they suffer in 
 fact from many days of long exposure to the adverse 
 condition. 
 
 In the case of your particular soil, it may well be that 
 it is sufficiently rich in potash, and therefore, may not 
 
Food foe Plants. 123 
 
 require a large application of it. In any event, the 
 grower must be governed by the condition of his grove 
 and the general character of soil and climate in his par- 
 ticular locality. 
 
 The early decay of orchards as well as failure to set 
 fruit buds, is largely a matter of lack of plant food. 
 Orchards should have Nitrate, applied early in the sea- 
 son, as late supplies of Nitrogen are liable to cause a 
 heavy setting of leaf buds at the expense of next year's 
 fruit. The ordinary ammoniates are not satisfactory for 
 orchard work, as tliey continue to supply available am- 
 monia all through the season; not enough in the early 
 part of the year to properly set the fruit, hence severe 
 dropping; too much late in the year when none is needed 
 and which causes the formation of leaf rather than fruit 
 l)uds. The soil between the trees should be regularly 
 tilled, much as in corn growing. That it is not generally 
 done is no argument against the value of such cultivation 
 methods. 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on the Citrus in California. 
 
 Under ordinary conditions in California — for full- 
 grown orange trees — we advise applying Nitrate early 
 in March or even the middle of February, and follow the 
 application immediately after by disking or harrowing 
 in the material to the depth of five or six inches. 
 
 When it is used alone. Nitrate may be used at the rate 
 of two hundred (200) pounds to the acre. 
 
 It can be used more profitably at the rate of four liun- 
 dred (400) pounds to the acre if four hundred (4-00) 
 pounds of dry acid or superphosphate be used with it. 
 Both materials should be dry. 
 
 Four hundred pounds of Nitrate is equal iai bulk to 
 about four bushels. 
 
 We believe the second procedure is the more profitable 
 as a rule, and we have no hesitation in recommending it 
 
124 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 in preference to the use of Nitrate alone. The earlier 
 the application, the better the results. 
 
 After plowing in the material in February, the orchard 
 should be cultivated every thirty (30) days until August, 
 preferably in the forepart of each month. The last culti- 
 vation is done best by a disk harrow. 
 
 Results at Highgrove. 
 Yields of 3 plots of equal size. 
 
 4 l-lo.xe.^ iJ lloxes 15 Boxes 
 Oranges Oranges Oranges 
 with no Fertilized Fertilized 
 Fertilizer, with Acid with 
 
 Phosphate Nitrate of 
 Alone. Soda 
 
 and Acid 
 Phosphate. 
 
 Formulas for full-grown citrus trees in tabular form 
 are as follows : 
 
 Kate per Acre 
 
 Nitrate of Soda alone 200 lbs. 
 
 or preferably 
 
 Nitrate of Soda 400 lbs. 
 
 Acid, or Super Phosphate 400 lbs. 
 
 These formulas it is believed will also be found very 
 satisfactory for both full-grown lemon trees and full- 
 grown grapefruit. 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 123 
 
 How It Was Done at Corona, California. 
 
 The rows were trenched eight inches deep, just out- 
 side the drip of the trees and the fertilizers spread in the 
 trench opposite the whole width of each tree. This was 
 done on tw^o sides of each row in the same direction, then 
 covered by the plow\ This, the only plowing, w^as done on 
 March 7, 1918. The application of fertilizers in trenches 
 is found to give the best results in the orange groves of 
 this section. 
 
 Six after-cultivations to a depth of five or six inches 
 were given. These six cultivations were made during the 
 
 Results at Corona. 
 
 32.2 Boxes Oransjes. 
 Yield of 1/10 acre 
 fertilized with Acid 
 Phosphate alone. 
 
 41.1 Boxes Oranges. 
 Yield of 1/10 acre 
 fertilized with Ni- 
 trate of Soda and 
 Acid Phosi^hate. 
 
 forepart of each of the months of March, April, May, 
 June, July and August. The March cultivation consisted 
 of a thorough disking. The other five cultivations were 
 made with the ordinary orchard cultivator. 
 
 The above trench fertilizing was done parallel with 
 irrigation furrows up one side and down the other, noth- 
 
126 Food for Plants. 
 
 iiig Ix'iiii;' applied on llic other two sides. This has given 
 g-ood results and the al)ove method is recommended to 
 California citrus i'ruit growers. 
 
 Citrus Growing- in California. 
 
 A five-sixteenths of an acre ])lot of orange trees at 
 Corona fertilized with Nitrate of !Soda and acid phos- 
 phate at the rate of 320 pounds of each per acre yielded 
 at the rate of 411 boxes of high quality fruit. A plot 
 alongside fertilized without Nitrate gave a rate of yield 
 of only 322 boxes per acre of inferior fruit. This differ- 
 ence of yield of 89 boxes per acre due to the use of Nitrate 
 shoivs an increase in value of produce equivalent to 
 $324.85. Each 100 pounds of Nitrate of Soda used in this 
 case added a rate of profit to the grower's income of 
 $101.52 per acre. 
 
 The best source of Nitrogen for citrus fruits is Nitrate 
 of Soda, because of its instant availability. Growth is 
 promoted at once after application is made. It is taking 
 chances to apply any nitrogenous fertilizer not imme- 
 diately available because of the tendency to pro- 
 long growth unduly and to delay maturity; and it is fatal 
 to apply high grade fertilizers too late. In California 
 on alkaline soils or soils having alkaline tendencies the 
 application of Nitrate of Soda witli an eciual quantity of 
 acid phosphate or super phosphate tends to diminish 
 black alkali present. 
 
 The Rational Use of Chilean Nitrate in California. 
 
 The use of Chilean Nitrate is increasing year by year 
 in England, and it is coming to be more and more appre- 
 ciated there, as well as on the continent of Europe. 
 
 In fact, everywhere in the world where there is pro- 
 gressive and enlightened experiment work, the unique 
 (lualities of Chilean Nitrate are putting it ahead of every 
 other nitrogenous plant food. No reputable authority 
 in the world has ever advocated such large quantities of 
 
Food for Plants. 127 
 
 Chilean Nitrate per acre as would result in any abnormal 
 accumulation of alkali. Moreover, the use of acid phos- 
 phates, associated as they are commercially with sul- 
 phate of lime, converts any black alkali residue into 
 harmless forms of soda. The vast majority of soils in 
 the United States, probably 95 per cent., have a tendency 
 to grow acid rather than to grow alkali; and Chilean 
 Nitrate is, therefore, highly beneficial in such cases. 
 
 The use of potash salts tends to leave acid residuals, 
 and when phosphates and potashes are used rationally, 
 and in quantities suitable for normal plant feeding, the 
 question of Chilean Nitrate leaving abnormal amounts 
 of alkali residues becomes a purely fanciful one, and is 
 not worthy of the serious attention of a practical busi- 
 ness horticulturist or farmer. 
 
 In all our literature, the rational and not the irra- 
 tional use of fertilizers is recommended, i. e., normal 
 amounts of the three elements of fertility. The use of 
 Chilean Nitrate alone is not recommended except at the 
 rate of 100 or 200 pounds per acre, which is a trifling ton- 
 nage application; and we always ad\nse when larger 
 amounts are used, that the horticulturist or fanner use 
 as much in quantity of acid phosphate. 
 
 The vast majority of farm lands of our country, where 
 so-called " Complete " fertilizers have been used, have 
 the tendency to become sour and acid; and Chilean 
 Nitrate could not only be used indefinitely with an 
 extremely beneficial effect in this particular connection, 
 but there is an immediate general need for it. 
 
 An acre of ground one foot deep is the active service 
 part of the soil, and, to a large extent, its chemical com- 
 position determines its usefulness. This service soil 
 weighs on an average 2,000 tons per acre. 
 
 There is enough sulphate of lime or gypsum present, 
 as well as acid, in the average acid phosphate, to 
 materially help the black alkali of many alkaline soils, 
 but gypsum alone may be used also for correcting alkali. 
 
 Since we never recommend the use of Chilean Nitrate 
 alone, except at the rate of from one hundred to two hun- 
 
128 Food fok Plants. 
 
 dred pounds per acre, this relatively small amount could 
 liave no material influence whatever in increasing the 
 alkali content of soils. The continued use of Nitrate 
 under rational methods of fertilizing, would not add 
 to, but rather diminish the quantity of alkali in the 
 soil. The associated gypsum and acid phosphate thus 
 used would tend to loosen heavy clay soils which need 
 improvement in texture and the acid residues from these 
 materials would likewise benefit alkaline soils. 
 
 In this connection, it is important to observe that care 
 must be exercised, in soils containing black alkali, to 
 avoid materially increasing the content of carbonate or 
 hi-carbonate of lime, since this would help promote the 
 destruction of humus. It is, therefore, suggested for 
 these particular soils, that the large and constant use of 
 lime be avoided. AVlien lime is needed, have your soil 
 examined by an expert, and do not put on any more lime 
 in any form than advised for your particular case. In 
 other words, take good care to preserve your humus. 
 Do not destroy it by excessive liming on any account. 
 Neither wetness nor stickiness will result from the 
 rational use of Chilean Nitrate. The productivity of all 
 soils may be increased by the right use of it. 
 
 All arid soils lack nitrogen on account of having but 
 little natural humus in them, hence the application of 
 Chilean Nitrate should give profitable crop increases. 
 
 What Burbank Says: 
 
 "After testing a great variety of fertilizers on my 
 orchard and experimental grounds, I find that the 
 Nitrate of Soda and Thomas slag phosphate have given 
 the best results at the least expense, and I shall not look 
 further at present, as my trees, bulbs, plants, flowers and 
 fruits have been, by the use of about 150 pounds each 
 X)er acre, nearly doubled in size and beauty in ahnost 
 every instance. The above-named fertilizers have more 
 than doubled the ])ro(lu('t of my soil at a very small out- 
 lay per acre. 
 
Food for Plants. 129 
 
 A\1iere the Nitrate of Soda is used, I find a greatly 
 increased ability in trees to resist drought, and lack of 
 cultivation. ' ' 
 
 " Luther Burbank is the greatest originator of new 
 and valuable forms of plant life of this or any other 
 age," says David Starr Jordan, President of Leland 
 Stanford Junior University, California. 
 
 WINTER SPRAYING WITH SOLUTIONS OF NITRATE OF 
 
 SODA. 
 
 By W. S. Ballard, Pathologist, Fruit-Disease Investigations, Bureau 
 of Plant Industry, and W. H. Volck, County Horticultural Com- 
 missioner of Santa Cruz County, California. 
 
 These investigations were conducted in co-operation between the Office of 
 Pruit-Disease Investigations of the Bureau of Plant Industry and the office 
 of the County Horticultural Commissioner of Santa Cruz County, located at 
 Watsonville, Cal. 
 
 Introduction. 
 
 Recently several investigators have reported results 
 in shortening the rest period of a number of woody 
 plants by immersing the dormant shoots in weak nutri- 
 ent solutions or by injecting solutions of alcohol, ether, 
 and various acids into the twigs. These experiments 
 have been conducted in the laboratory with short cut- 
 tings of the plants. The effect of such treatment has 
 been to force the dormant buds out several days ahead 
 of the normal opening period. 
 
 During the last two years the writers have obtained 
 similar and additional results on a much larger scale by 
 spraying dormant fruit trees with strong solutions of 
 certain commercial fertilizers, especially Nitrate of 
 Soda. Since these experiments have been conducted 
 on the entire trees in the orchard, it has been possible 
 to observe the effects throughout the whole season. 
 The investigations have not yet been carried far enough 
 to permit drawing any conclusions regarding the physi- 
 ologic action of such spraying, but because of its prac- 
 tical value these preliminary results seem deserving of 
 attention at this time. 
 5 
 
]:]() Food I'or. Plants. 
 
 Experiments in 1912. 
 
 Ill the course of llic iuvostig-atioiis o!' tlic wi-itcrs on 
 the control of apple i)o\vclery mildew in the Pajaro \'al- 
 ley, Cal., it became evident that the general vigor of the 
 tree and the thriftiness of the foliage growth had mnch 
 to do with the success of the summer spraying treatment 
 for the control of the mildew, and after a number of 
 exi)eriments in applying plant-food materials to the 
 foliage in the form of summer si)rays, and after seeing 
 that certain crude-oil emulsions used as dormant sprays 
 had a marked effect in stinudating an increased vigor of 
 the trees the following spring, it was decided to try the 
 effect of a strong solution of Nitrate of Soda as a winter 
 or dormant spray. Caustic potash (potasli lye) was 
 also added for the purpose of giving the si)ray an insec- 
 ticide value. The mixture was prepared according to 
 the following formula: 
 
 Nitrate of Soda 50 pounds 
 
 Caustic Potasli " pounds 
 
 ^Y.:ite,- 50 gallons 
 
 The experiment was conducted in a Yellow Bellfiower 
 apple orchard owned by Mr. 0. U. Stoesser, of Watson- 
 ville, Cal. This orchard is situated about 5 miles from 
 the ocean shore and is in a district that is more subject 
 to ocean fogs and trade winds than is the main portion 
 of the Pajaro Valley. It is a common characteristic of 
 the numerous orchards of Yellow Bellfiower apples of 
 this particular district that they bloom abundantly, but 
 set only a partial crop. The .trees are on a deep sedi- 
 mentary soil and grow well. 
 
 Seven 12-year-old trees were sprayed on February 2, 
 1912. The "application was very thoroughly made, so 
 that all of the small twigs were drenched. About 7 gal- 
 lons of spray solution were applied to each tree. Adjoin- 
 ing this row on one side was a check row of seven trees 
 wiiich received no winter spraying, and on the other side 
 were several rows of seven trees each which received 
 various a])i)lications of crude-oil emulsions and soaps. 
 For tlic purpose of gaining some idea of the etfect of 
 
Food for Plants. 131 
 
 Nitrate of Soda used as a fertilizer, 50 iJouiids were ap- 
 plied as a surface dressing to one vigorous tree selected 
 from the row adjoining the Xitrate-sprayed row. This 
 fertilizer was later plowed in and washed down h\ the 
 rains. 
 
 Effects on Blossoming- and on the Fohage. 
 
 Notes taken at the time the trees were coming out in 
 the spring show the following results: 
 
 April 7, 1912. Trees in the row sprayed with Nitrate of Soda and 
 lye are well in bloom, while those in tlie check row adjoining and in the 
 remainder of the unsprayed orchard are showing only an occasional 
 flower fnlly opened. 
 
 April 14, 1912. The relative advancement of the row sprayed with a 
 solution of Nitrate of Soda and lye and the check plat is the same as 
 noted on April 7. The Nitrate-sprayed trees are nearly in full bloom, 
 whereas comparatively few blossoms have opened on the check plat. 
 
 When the check row had reached full bloom, the row sprayed with a 
 solution of Nitrate of Soda and lye was practically out of bloom. 
 
 Thus, the Nitrate spraying advanced the blossom- 
 ing time about two weeks ahead of the normal period. 
 It is characteristic of the Yellow Belhlower variety of 
 apples in the Pajaro A^alley that the foliage buds corny 
 out early, so that by the time the full-bloom period is 
 reached the trees are showing a considerable amount 
 of young foliage. The Nitrate spraying produced a 
 change in this respect. AVhile the flower buds were 
 greatly stimulated in coming out, the foliage buds were 
 not so much affected, and the result was that when 
 the trees sprayed with a solution of Nitrate of Soda 
 and lye were in full bloom and two weeks in advance 
 of the check trees in that regard, their foliage condition 
 was relatively nearer that of the check. Plate L shows 
 the comparative stages of the Nitrate-sprayed and the 
 check trees at that time. A decided contrast will be 
 seen in the relative advancement of the bloom on the 
 tree sprayed with Nitrate of Soda (PI. L, fig, 1)* as com- 
 pared with the check tree (PI. L, fig. 2).* This contrast 
 is shown more in detail in Plate LI, in which figure 1 
 shows a branch from a Nitrate-sprayed tree, while 
 
 * For [ihirf's sec oriiiiiuil article. 
 
132 Food for Pi.ants. 
 
 figure 2 shows one from a ciiock tree. Both branches 
 were collected on the same day. An examination of 
 the figures in Plate L will show that the advancement 
 of the foliage on the Nitrate-sprayed tree is compara- 
 tively less marked than that of the bloom. This same 
 condition is shown in detail in Plate LI, in which it 
 will be seen that there is relatively little difference in 
 the advancement of the foliage of the sprayed and 
 unsprayed branches. Later in the spring, however, the 
 effect on foliage growth became more pronounced, and 
 the sprayed trees assumed a more vigorous, green ap- 
 pearance than the check trees. The single tree that re- 
 ceived the 50 pounds of Nitrate of Soda applied to the 
 soil showed no greater vigor than the check trees. 
 
 Both the row sprayed with Nitrate of Soda and 
 the check row received summer sprayings directed 
 toward the control of apple powder^' mildew and of 
 codling moth and various other insect pests. While the 
 treatment of the two rows was not the same, there was 
 no essential difference in the results — that is, the crop 
 loss from codling moth and other insect pests did not 
 exceed 1 per cent, on either plat and there was no dam- 
 age to the fruit from summer spraying. It is therefore, 
 evident that the difference which showed up in the crop 
 production of the two rows must be attributed to the 
 winter Nitrate spraying. 
 
 Crop Results. 
 
 The check row of seven trees, which received no 
 w^inter spraying but which was properly protected b}' 
 summer sprayings, produced 8 loose boxes of fruit at 
 picking time. On the other hand, the adjoining row, 
 sprayed in Febniary with the solution of Nitrate of Soda 
 plus lye, produced a total of a little over 40 boxes. 
 Thus, the winter Nitrate spraying increased the crop 
 production to fully five times that of the unsprayed 
 row. Similar adjacent plats, which were winter- 
 sprayed with various ciTide-oil emulsions and soap 
 sprays, produced crops varying from 5 to 9 boxes 
 
Food eor Plants. 133 
 
 per plat. The single tree wliicli received the 50 pound& 
 of Nitnite of Soda applied as a fertilizer gave no in- 
 creased production, whereas none of the trees in the 
 Nitrate-sprayed row failed to respond. 
 
 Regarding the single, heavily fertilized tree, it 
 might he stated that in addition to its showing no in- 
 crease in production, the tree bloomed no earlier than 
 normal, there was no improvement in the growth and 
 no change in its general appearance throughout the 
 growing season of 1912, and in the spring of 1913 it 
 came out normally and not differently from the other 
 trees in the same row, being one of the trees in a check 
 plat. The tree is still in normal condition and shows 
 no noticeable effect from the heavy fertilizing. The 
 orchard is not irrigated, and the rainfall has been 
 much less than normal during the last two years. 
 
 Attention might again be called to the conditions 
 under which these results were obtained — namely, 
 thrifty-growing trees in a deep residual soil and having 
 the characteristic of blooming abundantly each year 
 but setting only a shy crop. Even the 40 boxes pro- 
 duced by the Nitrate spraying does not represent the 
 full crop that such trees should bear, but the fourfold 
 increase much more than paid for the cost of spraying, 
 and the possibility remains of still further increasing 
 that production by similar treatment in following years. 
 
 Experiments in 1913. 
 
 The one small experiment on seven trees in 1912 did 
 not furnish sufficient grounds for draAving any general 
 conclusions as to the applicability of Avinter Nitrate 
 spraying, but the striking results obtained opened a 
 wide field of inquirj". For instance, potash lye was 
 added to the solution of Nitrate of Soda in the experi- 
 ment of 1912, so the questions arise as to whether the 
 lye was necessary and whether an acid medium would 
 increase or decrease the effect of the Nitrate of Soda; 
 also, would a weaker Nitrate solution prove as effective 
 and would other nitrogen-bearing fertilizer materials, 
 
IT)! Koon |-{)i; I'l.AXts. 
 
 sucli as liiiu' Xilratc, lime (*\aiiaiin(l, and sulphatr of 
 aiiinioiiia, ix'wv similar i-csultsl' Kollowino' along this 
 lim' it would lie iuti'icst iiii;- lo know what ciTect, if any, 
 the otiuT t'ci-lilizci- (dements, jtotash and phosphorfic 
 acid, mi.uld lia\-e wiieii applied as sprays, and finally, 
 what ri'sults mii»ht l)e ohtainetl i'lom a similar applica- 
 tion of othei' snlistances not ordinarily considercMl as 
 liaxiui;- aii\' particular fertilizer value. 
 
 Exi)eriments intended to answer these and a num- 
 ber of other more or less im])ortant questions were 
 stinted in Fehi-naiy, li)l.'), in the same orchard in which 
 the ])revions year's work was done. Eleven 13-year- 
 old trees were used in each plat. A frost occurred at 
 the time the fruit was setting which ruined the crop 
 and made it impossible to obtain results in crop pro- 
 duction. Data were obtained, however, on the effect 
 of the various sprays on the blossoming of the trees 
 in the spring, and tlie notes taken may lie summarized 
 as follows : 
 
 The plats sprayed with Nitrate of Soda at the rate 
 of 1 pound to the gallon came into l)loom earlier than 
 the check trees, just as they had done in 1912. This 
 effect was more marked in the cases in which lye was 
 added to the Nitrate solution than when the plain water 
 solution was used — that is, the addition of lye in the 
 l)ro])ortion of 16 ])ounds of caustic soda in 100 gallons 
 of s])i-ay solution increased the action of the Nitrate 
 of Soda in l)ringing the trees out earlier. Caustic soda 
 appeared to be just as effective as caustic potash. 
 Nitrate of Soda used at the rate of half a pound to the 
 gallon, either with or without the addition of lye, was 
 not nearly so effective as a solution, of 1 ])ound to the 
 gallon. A solution of one-fourth of a pound to the gal- 
 lon, with lye added, had practically no effect. Nitrate of 
 Soda, at the rate of 1 pound to the gallon, to whicli 
 oxalic acid was added in the proportion of 50 ])ounds 
 to 125 gallons of solution, produced results similar to 
 Nitrate of Soda plus lye, so far as the effect of hastening 
 the blooming period is concerned. Lime Nitrate, 130 
 
Food fok Plants. IS.") 
 
 pounds ill 100 i>alloiis of water, and lime cyaiiaiiiid, 92 
 pounds in 100 gallons of water, stimulated an earlier 
 blooming- of the trees, and subsequent experiments will 
 probably put these substances in a class with Nitrate 
 of Soda. Normal Yellow Belltiower apple blossoms have 
 considerable pink color, and it was interesting to note 
 that when the trees sprayed with the lime cyanamid 
 came into bloom the flowers were nearly white. The 
 etfects from sulphate of ammonia were not nearly so 
 marked as those from Nitrate of Soda. These various 
 nitrogen-bearing fertilizer substances were used in such 
 strengths as to carry relatively the same quantities of 
 nitrogen per gallon. Sulphate of potash had some effect 
 in stimulating an early blooming, but double superphos- 
 phate did not. Of a number of other substances tried, 
 common salt used at the rate of 68 pounds to 100 gallons 
 of water produced a distinct effect. 
 
 It will be borne in mind that the above remarks apply 
 simply to the effects of the various sprays in causing 
 an earlier lilooming of the trees, but since this early 
 blooming was a striking characteristic of the Nitrate- 
 sprayed trees of 1912, which showed a fourfold increase 
 in production, it seems permissible to conclude that this 
 etf'eet on the fruit buds is some criterion of what might 
 have been expected in the way of crop increase had not 
 the fruit been lost by frost. 
 
 The row of seven trees used in the Nitrate experi- 
 ment of 1912 was left unsprayed this last season for 
 the purpose of determining whether the Nitrate effect 
 would continue to the second year. It was noticed that 
 the fruit buds on these trees were particularly large and 
 plump, and somewhat unexpectedly at blossoming time 
 these trees came into bloom several days ahead of the 
 check rows. The bloom came out very uniformly all 
 over the trees, whereas ordinarily it is considerably 
 delayed on the windward side. Also, the individual blos- 
 soms were conspicuously larger than those of any other 
 plat, and, so far as could be judged at the time the frost 
 occurred, a good crop was setting all over the trees. 
 
1 .■'>() Food koi; Pl.ANTS. 
 
 Thus, it appears that this effect of the Nitrate of Soda 
 liad continued over to the second year. 
 
 Al ])r(\sent, all things considered, Hie Ix'st results 
 li.-nc been obtained by using a mixture made up as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 Nitrate ol" Soda 20<) i)ouncls 
 
 Caustic Soda 25 pounds 
 
 Water 200 gallons 
 
 In preparing this solution the required quantity of 
 water was placed in the spray tank and the agitator 
 started. When the water was in motion, the required 
 weight of Nitrate of Soda w^as added gradually. Any 
 large Imnps were first broken up into pieces about the 
 size of hen's' eggs. The caustic soda was then added, 
 and in about 15 minutes from the time the preparation 
 was begun the mixture was ready for applying. 
 
 The trees were veiy thoroughly sprayed on all 
 sides, so that all of the small twigs were drenched. The 
 best results so far obtained have come from the spray- 
 ing applied about the 1st of Februar>\ Of course, 
 weather conditions must be taken into consideration. 
 A rain immediately following the application will wash 
 much of the material off of the trees, and it is probable 
 that at least a week of clear weather should follow the 
 spraying, in order to insure good results. 
 
 In all of this work on spraying a solution of Nitrate 
 of Soda on the trees a considerable quantity fell to the 
 ground, and the question will be raised as to whether the 
 various effects observed have not been simply the re- 
 sult of the fertilizer action of the Nitrate on the soil. 
 About 7 gallons of the solution were used in spraying 
 each tree, and if the whole of this had gone on the ground 
 it would have amounted to about 7 pounds of Nitrate of 
 Soda per tree. The single tree in 1912 that had the 50 
 pounds of Nitrate applied to the soil, therefore, received 
 over seven times the total quantity applied to any single 
 sprayed tree. As has been previously stated, this single, 
 excessively fertilized tree bloomed no earlier than nor- 
 mal, produced no increased crop, and showed no 
 
Food for Plants. 137 
 
 improvement in general vigor and appearance ; whereas, 
 none of the trees in the sprayed plat failed to respond 
 in all of these particulars. Of course, this single tree 
 test in the application of Nitrate to the soil is too small 
 an experiment to permit concluding x^ositively that the 
 effects that we have reported from the spraying experi- 
 ments are of an entirely different nature and belong in 
 a different category from those produced by the ordinary 
 soil application of Nitrate. A careful consideration of 
 the results of ordinary orchard practice in fertilizing- 
 seems to make it plain that tliere is no similarity between 
 them and the results from spraying. For instance, in the 
 usual practice of applying Nitrate of Soda as a fertilizer 
 to apple orchards in the region of AVatsonville, Cal., a 
 winter or early spring application does not force the 
 bloom out 10 days or 2 weeks ahead of the normal open- 
 ing period and has had no measurable effect in increas- 
 ing the set of fruit that same year. The fact that the 
 addition of caustic soda or oxalic acid to the Nitrate 
 spray augments these various effects further emphasizes 
 the difference between the results from spraying and the 
 ordinary results from the application of fertilizer. 
 Caustic-soda solution alone applied as a spray has no 
 effect on the time of blooming or the crop production. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS OF GROWERS IN 1913. 
 Yellow Bellflower Apples. 
 
 During the past season a number of growers made 
 more or less extensive tests of the spraying with Nitrate 
 of Soda. An aggregate of several hundred acres of Yel- 
 low Bellflower apples was sprayed with Nitrate of Soda 
 plus caustic soda, but practically all of this acreage was 
 in the same district in which the writer's experiments 
 were conducted, so the crop was lost by frost. It was 
 noticeable during the past summer, however, that the 
 foliage in such orchards as received very thorough win- 
 ter Nitrate sprayings had a better appearance than in 
 years past, due apparently to the effect of the Nitrate. 
 
i:',S Food kop. Plants. 
 
 ( )ii(' orcli.-ird, llial of MncDohald cV; Sons, is located in a 
 district that practically escaped frost tlaniaiic, and the 
 results obtained indicated a niai-ked crop increase in 
 conse(|iience of the s])ra\in,u. The entire orchard, wit'i 
 the exce])tioii of a few trees, was si)rayed with various 
 combinations of Nitrate of Soda and lye, and, while no 
 exact data on the production of the unspraycd trees as 
 compared with the rest of the orchard was obtained, the 
 amount of fi'uit on the trees indicated that the spraying 
 had i)roduce(l a marked increase. This conclusion was 
 more reliably substantiated by comparing- the total 
 orchard production this year with that of previous years. 
 
 Sweet Cherries. 
 
 Mr. A. W. Taite, of Watsonville, sprayed portions 
 of two blocks of Napoleon (Eoyal Ann) cherries with 
 Nitrate of Soda, 1 pound to the gallon, to which caustic 
 soda was added at the rate of 25 i)ounds to 200 gallons. 
 Unsprayed rows adjoining the sprayed ones were left 
 in each block. In one case the sprayed trees were dis- 
 tinctly advanced over the check trees in coming into 
 bloom, in both cases there was an increase in the 
 foliage growth and a consequent improvement in the 
 a])pearance of the trees. No effect on crop production 
 could be noticed, though it is possible that treatment 
 in successive years may bring such results. 
 
 Pears. 
 
 Kor our ol)servation on pears the writers are in- 
 debted chiefly to Mr. George Reed, of San Jose, who 
 carried out extensive tests in the orchards of the J. Z. 
 &: (J. H. Anderson Fruit Co. The spraying was done 
 about tile 1st of February and the following notes are 
 taken largely from Mr. Reed's observations: 
 
 Ci,AiR(ir.Ai-. — Four rows of al)cut -10 trees eacli were sprnyed willi 
 comiiien'ial liiiie-snlpluir {3:V f Baiinie) diluted 1 to 9. Adjoiuiiifr tliese 
 were four rows si)ray('d witli liiiie-suli)liur solution diluted 1 to 9 and 
 to which was added Nitrate of Soda at the rate of 1 pound to the gal- 
 lon of the diluted spray. The rows sprayed with the eonihined solution 
 
OOI) l'"()| 
 
 1' I, ANTS. 1:19 
 
 of Nitrate ui Soda and 1iiuc'-!su1i)Iilu- canu' into bloom about a week 
 ahead of those that received the linie-sulphiu- sohation ak)nc. The 
 development of the fmit on these Nitrate-lime-sulphur solution rows 
 continued to show an advancement of al)out a week throughout half 
 the g-rowing season, and at picking time the fruit was greener and hung 
 on l)etter than that of the plain lime-sulphur-solution rows. Both 
 plats bore a full crop, so there was no opportunity for observing any 
 effect on production. The Clairgeau variety blooms early, and the 
 further advancement due to Nitrate spraying might result in frost 
 injury in some localities. The fruit ordinarily has a habit of dropping 
 ot! during the latter part of the growing season. This difticulty, how- 
 ever, was largely eliminated on the Nitrate-sprayed rows. 
 
 CoMiCE. — The major portion of the block was sprayed with a plain 
 water solution of Nitrate of Soda at the rate of 1 ])Ound to the gallon. 
 A small portion was sprayed with commercial lime sulphur solution, 
 diluted 1 to 9, with Nitrate' of Soda added at the rate of 1 pound to the 
 gallon of diluted spray. Through a misunderstanding the men doing 
 the spraying left no check rows in this block, so that crop data could 
 not be obtained. However, Mr. Reed's exact knowledge of the previous 
 production of this block as a whole indicates that the marked increased 
 production this last season was more than probably due to the Nitrate 
 spraying. The Comice is a relatively shy bearer, and a valuable pear 
 conn'nercially, so that any increased production that could be obtained 
 by Nitrate spraying would be much appreciated by the grower. One 
 portion of the block that regularly produces less than the remainder 
 gave a good crop this year, and it appeared that the addition of the 
 lime-sulphur solution augmented the effect of the Nitrate of Soda just 
 as the addition of lye has done in the expei'iments of the writers. 
 
 Glout Morceau. — A block of Glout Morceau i)ears was sprayed 
 with the combination of lime-sul])hur solution, diluted 1 to 9, ])lus 
 Nitrate of Soda 1 i)ound to the gallon of diluted spray. This block 
 had never produced a full crop, and while no unsprayed checks were 
 left, the increased production would appear to l)e due to the Nitrate 
 spraying. 
 
 WiXTER Nelis. — A block of Winter Nelis pears was sprayed with a 
 solution of Nitrate of Soda 1 pound to the gallon of water. No lime- 
 sulphur solution was added in this case. No check rows were left, and 
 a frost destroyed a large i^ercentage of the fruit after it had set. How- 
 ever, at that time the trees w^re carrying the largest crop they had ever 
 produced, and again it would a])i)ear that the Nitrate spraying had had 
 a beneficial effect. The trees came into bloom about 10 days ali'nd of 
 nornuil o])ening ])eriod. 
 
 Discussion on Results and Summary. 
 
 It is not the writers' iiileutioii to eoiivey the im- 
 pression that dormant s]ii'a\in,ii,' with Nitrate solntions 
 will solve the ])rol)lem of shy hearing- of fruit trees nor 
 
140 F()(ii» I'oi; Plants, 
 
 offer a iiiorc advisable metliod of applying nitrogen 
 fertilizer. The purpose of this paper is simply to 
 present the results as they now stand. 
 
 It is evident that, at least under certain conditions, 
 some varieties of ai)ples and pears that are more or less 
 self-sterile may have their crop production materially 
 increased by dormant sprajdng with solutions of Nitrate 
 of Soda plus lye. The combination of a solution of 
 Nitrate of Soda and lime-sulphur is apparently capable 
 of bringing similar results. 
 
 Actual quantitative data on increased production 
 from spraying with a solution of .Nitrate of Soda are 
 available from only one source, that of the first experi- 
 ment on Yellow Bellflower apples in 1912. Xo pro- 
 duction records were obtainable from the various tests 
 made by growers during the season of 1913 but the 
 one test on Yellow Bellflower apples and several others 
 on pears indicate that such an increase had undoubtedly 
 been brought about. It is considered that the growers' 
 knowledge of the crops of the previous years as com- 
 pared with that of this year furnishes a basis for con- 
 clusions that are at least corroborative. 
 
 That Nitrate spraying of dormant trees will bring 
 about an earlier blooming of certain varieties of fruit 
 is a satisfactorily established fact, which has been dem- 
 onstrated on Yellow Bellflower apples at Watsonville, 
 Cal, and on various varieties of pears at San Jose, San 
 Juan, and Suisun, Cal., during the past season. How 
 generally this statement will apply to other varieties 
 of apples and pears and in other localities remains to 
 be determined. Eesults on stone fruits have not been 
 as striking as those on pears and apples, but it is pos- 
 sible that stronger solutions, earlier spraying, or a 
 repetition of the spraying in successive years may bring 
 about such results. 
 
 The greater danger of injury from frost thai 
 might result from forcing trees into bloom earlier than 
 normal would have to be taken into consideration in 
 making practical use of Nitrate si)raying in winter. 
 
Food foii L'j.ants. 141 
 
 Aside from the effect on crop production, tliere 
 has also been a very noticeable improvement in the 
 color, abundance, and vigor of the foliag'e, and it seems 
 possible that Nitrate spraying of dormant trees may 
 be a valnal)le supplement to the ordinary fertilizer 
 practices in obtaining quick results in orchards suffer- 
 ing from lack of nitrogen. 
 
 The writers will make no attempt at present to 
 explain the peculiar effect of Nitrate of Soda in increas- 
 ing the production of more or less self -sterile varieties of 
 fruits, or in improving foliage groAvth. The similarity 
 between the writers' results in forcing dormant buds 
 by winter Nitrate spraying and the results obtained by 
 other investigators by treating cuttings with various 
 weak solutions has been mentioned. In experiments 
 of the writers, however, a more or less lasting effect on 
 the vigor of the foliage and also some valuable results 
 in increasing crop production have been obtained. It 
 furthermore appears that the effects obtained by spray- 
 ing with a solution of Nitrate of Soda may continue 
 over to the second year, as shown by the original plat of 
 1912, which was left unsprayed in the winter of 1913. 
 
 The effects of the Nitrate spraying seem to be pro- 
 portional to- the strength of the solution employed and 
 the thoroughness with which it is applied. The addi- 
 tion of caustic soda materially increases this action. 
 
 Plant Food Withdrawn by Crops. 
 
 The New York, the New Jersey, and the Connecticut 
 Experiment Stations agree that the relative percentages 
 of plant food withdrawn from the soil by barley, buck- 
 wheat, corn, oats, rye, and wheat are as follows : 
 
 Barley . . . . 
 Buckwheat 
 
 Corn 
 
 Oats 
 
 Rye 
 
 Wheat . . . . 
 
 Phosphoric 
 
 Acid 
 per cent. 
 
 Nitrogen 
 per cent. 
 
 Potash 
 per cent 
 
 20.0 
 
 44.6 
 
 .35.4 
 
 .3.3.. S 
 
 52.5 
 
 14.2 
 
 17.7 
 
 .37.5 
 
 44.8 
 
 15.9 
 
 40.5 
 
 43.6 
 
 21.3 
 
 42.0 
 
 36.7 
 
 21.0 
 
 51.9 
 
 27.1 
 
The avcra.iit' rclalivc pci-cciiln.iACs of pliosplioiic ;i('i<l, 
 Xiti-(»,ucii ;iii(l potash thus i-ciuovcd from the soil l)y thcs',' 
 six sta})le cereals is tlicicrort' as follows: 
 
 IMi()si)li.)ric Acid -1 ••"> 1>*'"' <-«-'iit. 
 
 Xitroii-en ^^■'^ I'l'i" fe'it- 
 
 Polnsh '-^'-^ ■ <> I'd' <'''iit- 
 
 Translated into ("oiiim«Tcial Fertilizer terms, the eoni- 
 paiMson is as follows: 
 
 Whiit tlic 
 What Avcram' 
 
 Nature Brand 
 
 Requires Supplies 
 
 Pliosphorir Acia 2-15 8.00 
 
 Xitroacn 4. 48 2.00 
 
 Potash 3.:5(i 2.(10 
 
 POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION AS TO RELATION OF 
 PRICES OF FARM PRODUCTS TO NITRATE OF SODA 
 PRICES. 
 
 From the farmer's point of view, when a reduction in 
 the price of cotton and produce happens, it is to he 
 deplored, hut in such a case it should be considered 
 whether abstention from the use of Nitrate is a wise way 
 of meeting- the situation. The utility of a fertilizer obvi- 
 ously depends upon its productivity, which is not affected 
 by its price, and an increase in the latter justifies aban- 
 donnu^nt of the fertilizer only when its pro(hictivity ceuses 
 to l)e profitable. The profit to be reasonal)ly expected 
 from the use of Nitrate of Soda is not so materially 
 interfered with by any ordinary rise in its price as to 
 economically justify any substantial reduction in its con- 
 sumption. 
 
 Agricultural authorities have estab- 
 What Nitrate lished by careful experimentation that 
 
 Has Done 100 pounds of Nitrate of Soda when 
 
 for Crops. apjjlied to the following crops has pro- 
 
 duced under proper conditions iiirrcfiscd 
 yields as tabulated: 
 
Food i'oe Plants. 
 
 143 
 
 Api)les 50-75 UuslicLs. 
 
 Ai)r:cots 96 lbs. 
 
 Asparajius 100 bunches. 
 
 Bananas 1,1()7 lbs. 
 
 Barley 400 lbs. of -rain. 
 
 Beans ( wiiitc ) 225 ll)s. 
 
 Beets 4,f)0O lbs. tubers. 
 
 Cabbao:es (j,100 lbs. 
 
 Carrots 7,800 lbs. 
 
 Castor Beans 5() li)s. 
 
 Celery 30 per cent. 
 
 Corn 280 lbs. of gTain. 
 
 Cotton 500 lbs. seed c )tton. 
 
 Ensilaii-e Corn 1.18 tons. 
 
 Grape Fruit 29 boxes. 
 
 Hay, upwards of 1,(M)0 lbs. barn cured. 
 
 Hops 100 lbs. 
 
 ^laiisels 123.7 bushels. 
 
 Oats 400 lbs. of orain. 
 
 Onions 1,800 lbs. 
 
 Orano-es 22 boxes. 
 
 Peaches (dried ) 56 lbs. 
 
 Pecans 37 lbs. 
 
 Potatoes 3,600 lbs. tubers. 
 
 Prunes 975 lbs. ( dried ) . 
 
 Raisin Grapes 347 lbs. 
 
 Rye 300 lbs. frrain. 
 
 Strawberries 200 quarts. 
 
 Su2-ar Beets 1,330 lbs. 
 
 Sugar Cane 2 . 40 tons of cane 
 
 (Tropics). 
 1.17 tons of cane 
 (Louisiana). 
 
 Sugar (from Suuar Cane) 322 lbs. (Tropics). 
 
 224 lbs. (Lou: si an;;). 
 
 Sugar Mangels 1.6 tons. 
 
 Sweet Potatoes 3,900 lbs. tubers. 
 
 Tobacco 75 ll)s. 
 
 Tomatoes 100 baskets. 
 
 1'ni'"ips 37 ])er cent. 
 
 Wa'mds 106 lbs. 
 
 The increased yields of crops result- 
 Increased ing- from a top-dressiiio- with Nitrate of 
 Yield by the • Scda are most striking. In an article 
 Use of recently published by Dr. E. J. Russell, 
 Nitrate of Director of the Rothamsted Rxperi- 
 Sodp. mental Station, the followin«' fioures 
 are given. On an ordinary farm where 
 the land, while in fairly good heart, has not been over 
 
144 
 
 |M)01) Foi; 
 
 I.ANTS. 
 
 \\c\\ (lone, a fanner may reas()iial)ly expect the following 
 increases from a top-dressing of 1 ewt. of Xitrate of 
 Soda : 
 
 Wheat, ^rain 
 Wheat, straw 
 I>arley, grain 
 Barley, straw 
 Oats, strain . 
 Oats, straw . 
 
 Hay 
 
 ^fanerolds . . . 
 
 Swedes 
 
 Potatoes .... 
 
 Per 1 cwt. nitrate 
 of soda. 
 
 41/2 bushels 
 
 5 cwt 
 
 6V2 bushels 
 
 61A cwt 
 
 7 bushels 
 
 () cwt 
 
 S to 10 ewt 
 
 32 cwt 
 
 20 cwt 
 
 20 c^vt 
 
 Per 1 cwt. superphos- 
 phate or high grade 
 basic slag. 
 
 to 114 bushels. 
 V2 to 5 cwt. 
 2 to 3 bushels. 
 
 to 2 cwt. 
 
 1 to 31/, bushels. 
 to 2 cwt. 
 
 20 cwt. 
 
 20 to 40 cwt. 
 
 10 cwt. 
 
 For piir]K)ses of comparison the etTeet of phosphates 
 is shoAm also. 
 
 Official Abstract of a Paper read h}i Professor E. B. Voorhees before 
 The International Congress of Applied Chemistry held in London, 
 June, 1909. 
 
 INVESTIGATIONS RELATIVE TO THE USE OF 
 NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER MATERIALS, 1898- 
 1907. 
 
 By Edward B. Voorhees, Sc. I). (Director) and Jacob G. Lipmax, 
 Ph. D.- {Soil Chemist and Bacteriologist), Agricultural Experim,ent 
 
 Station, New Jersey, U. S. A. 
 
 Ten years ago denitrification was believed to possess 
 an economic significance. A considerable number of 
 agricultural chemists thought that the destruction of 
 nitrate by denitrifying bacteria involved losses of nitro- 
 gen in all cases where nitrates and animal manures were 
 used together. The experiments recorded here were 
 planned, primarily, to determine whether such losses of 
 nitrogen really occur in field practice. The data collected 
 in the course of ten years su])ply some definite informa- 
 tion in tliis connection; and furnish, moreover, much 
 iinportant information bearing on other ])hases of the 
 nitrogen question. 
 
Food fou I^lants. 145 
 
 The experiments have been carried on in large galvan- 
 ized iron cylinders 4 feet long, 23.5 inches in diameter, 
 and open at both ends. The cylinders were sunk in the 
 ground until only about 2 inches of the upper portion 
 projected above the level of the surrounding soil. Uni- 
 form amounts of gravelly subsoil were placed in the 
 cylinders and firmly tramped down. Weighed quantities 
 of surface soil were then placed in the cylinders. In 
 order to enhance the accuracy of the data collected, each 
 treatment was carried out in triplicate. There were 
 secured thus 20 series, each consisting of three small 
 plats. Series 1 has received no applications whatsoever; 
 series 2, applications of acid phosphate and potassium 
 chloride repeated annually; and the remaining series 
 various nitrogenous materials in addition to the acid 
 phosphate and potassium chloride. Also the nitrogenous 
 materials have since been applied annually. The follow- 
 ing diagram shows the treatment for each series: 
 
 Diagram of Experiment 
 
 Series A B C 
 
 1. Check 
 
 2. Minerals 
 
 3. Manure, solid, f resli 
 
 4. Manure, sold and liquid, fresh 
 
 5. Manure, solid, leached 
 
 6. Manure, solid and liquid, leaohcd (I 
 
 7. Sodium Nitrate, 5 gms 
 
 8. Sodium Nitrate, 10 gms 
 
 9. Manure, solid, fresh; nitrate, 5 gms 
 
 10. Manure, solid, fresh ; nitrate, 10 gms 
 
 11. Manure, solid and liquid, fresh; nitrate, 5 gms. ... 
 
 12. Manure, solid and liquid, fresh; nitrate, 10 gms... (I 
 
 13. Manure, solid, leached; nitrate, 5 g-ms (• 
 
 14. Manure, solid, leached; nitrate, 10 gms 
 
 15. Manure, solid and liquid, leached; nitrate, 5 gms.. d 
 
 16. Manure, solid and liquid, leached; nitrate, 10 gms. 
 
 17. Ammonium sulphate 
 
 18. Dried blood 
 
 19. Manure, solid, leached; ammonium sulphate 
 
 20. Manure, solid, leached ; dried hlood 
 
 The nitrate was a])])liod at the rate of 160 pounds and 
 320 pounds per acre, respectively. The ammonium sul 
 phate and dried blood were applied in amounts equivalent 
 
1-1(1 |''(((»1« Kdi; l^LANIS. 
 
 to llu" lar.ucr npiilicnlioii of nit rate TIk' dilTcrciil man- 
 ures woro applii'd in auioiiiits siifficit'iit to ruriiish about 
 4 g-iiis. of uitroii'i'U i)t'r cylinder. Calculated on the acre 
 l)asis the manures were applied at the rate of ahout 10 
 tons. 
 
 The cro])s wei'e i>,ro\vn in re.nular rotation, and con- 
 sisted of the followino-: Corn, oats, wheat and timotliv'. 
 The oats crops were foUowed in each case hy a so-called 
 residual crop whose function it was to take up such 
 available nitrogen compounds as were not utilized by thi' 
 main crops. 
 
 Analyses were made of all of the main croi)s and resid- 
 ual crops. In the ease of the wheat, the grain and the 
 straw were analyzed separately. In the case of the timo- 
 thy, the first cutting and aftermath were analyzed sepa- 
 rately. The analytical material for the ten years included, 
 therefore, more than a thousand crop samples. Records 
 were made of the yields of dry matter, of the propor- 
 tions of nitrogen in the dry matter of each crop, of the 
 total nitrogen in each crop, of the proportion of manure 
 and fertilizer nitrogen recovered, and of the relative 
 availability of the several nitrogenous materials em- 
 ployed. In addition to these careful analyses were made 
 of the soil samples drawn from the several cylinders at 
 the end of each rotation. 
 
 The results secured may be briefly sunnnarized as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 1. There was a marked falling off in the yiehls between 
 the first and second rotation, especially in the soils which 
 had received no applications of animal manure. 
 
 2. The nitrogen compounds in liquid manure were 
 much superior to those in solid manure as a source of 
 nitrogen to crops. 
 
 ?). Larger applications of nitrogen were invariably 
 followed ]>y larger yields of this constituent in the crops. 
 
 4. Nitrate, ammonium sulphate and dried blood, when 
 ap])lied in ecjuivalent amounts, were found to possess an 
 unecfual value. Nitrate was superior to annnonium sul- 
 
Food foh Pt ants. 147 
 
 piiato, and the latter was superior to dried blood as a 
 source of nitrogen to crops. 
 
 5. In the presence of nitrate, the manure and humus 
 iiitrouen were utilized more thoroughly than in its 
 absence. 
 
 6. Under certain conditions, nitrates or other readily 
 available nitrogen compounds, may hasten the depletion 
 of the soil nitrogen. 
 
 7. Ammonium sulphate and dried l)lood intensified the 
 development of acidity in the cylinder soils. 
 
 8. The proportion of nitrogen in the crops was readily 
 affccted by the nitrogen treatment. It was also affected 
 by the character of the crop itself. 
 
 ' 9. In the first rotation, the fresh manures produced 
 dry matter relatively somewhat richer in nitrogen than 
 that produced by the leached manures ; in the second rota- 
 tion this relation was reversed. 
 
 10. The solid and liquid manure, fresh, produced dry 
 matter relatively somewhat richer in nitrogen than that 
 produced by the solid, fresh. 
 
 11. The smaller application of nitrate, when used 
 together with manure, produced dry matter relatively 
 poorer in nitrogen than that produced by the larger 
 application of nitrate under the same conditions. 
 
 12. The wide range in the proportionate content of 
 nitrogen in the crops, shows clearly that greater care 
 should be exercised in measuring out the nitrogen to our 
 cultivated crops. 
 
 13. Out of every 100 pounds of nitrogen applied in the 
 form of nitrate, there were recovered in the first rotation 
 62.76 pounds, and in the second rotation 61.42 pounds. 
 The corresponding returns for ammonium sulphate were 
 49.51 pounds and 37.01 pounds respectively; and for the 
 dried blood 47.89 pounds and 32.05 pounds respectively. 
 This indicated that the acidity in the soils of series 17 
 and 18 had increased sufficiently to interfere with the 
 normal growth of the plants. 
 
 14. Out of every 100 pounds of nitrogen ap])lie(l in the 
 form of animal manures, there were recovered in the 
 
14S Food Koii 1^1. ANTS. 
 
 lii'st I'olnt i(»ii less tlmii '2') poniKls, and in the second rota- 
 tion loss tlian .'^0 pounds. 
 
 15. A (•onii)ai"ison of the ci-op yields in the lirst and 
 second rotation, shows that the animal manures have a 
 mai"kc<l cumulative effect. 
 
 IG. The corn crops seem to have utilized a smaller 
 proportion of the nitro^'en api)lied than was utilized by 
 the oats and \vheat. 
 
 17. The fresh man\n-es wore utilized better than the 
 leached manures. 
 
 18. The solid and litiuid, fresh, was utilized hetti'r than 
 the solid, fresh. 
 
 19. The solid and li((uid, leaclu'd, was utilized l)etter 
 than the solid, leached. 
 
 20. The smaller applications of nitrate were utilized 
 to abont the same extent as the larger applications. 
 
 21. The eciuivalent quantities of nitrate, ammonium 
 sulphate, and dried blood were utilized in the order 
 named. 
 
 22. The animal manures when used together with the 
 larger applications of nitrate, were utilized to better 
 advantage than when they were used together with the 
 smaller application. 
 
 28. The nitrate and ammonium su]])liate when used 
 together with solid manure, leached, were utilized in the 
 order named. 
 
 24. The pr()})oi'tion of nitrogen recovered in the crops 
 ranged from 62.09 — 22.31 per cent. 
 
 25. With the returns from the nitrate nitrogen taken 
 as 100, the relative availability of the other nitrogenous 
 materials was as follows : 
 
 Sodium nitrate 
 
 Ammonium sulphate .... 
 
 Dried l)lood 
 
 Solid manure, fresh 
 
 Solid and li(|nid, Iresli... 
 Solid manure, leached . . . 
 Solid and liquid, leached. 
 
 First 
 Rotation 
 
 Second 
 Rotation 
 
 Both 
 Rotations 
 
 100.0 
 
 100.0 
 
 100.00 
 
 78.9 
 76.3 
 32.9 
 
 60.3 
 52.2 
 39.0 
 
 69.7 
 64.4 
 .35.9 
 
 50.4 
 .33.8 
 36.6 
 
 55.6 
 
 u.o 
 
 49.7 
 
 53.0 
 38.9 
 43.1 
 
Food for Plants. 149 
 
 36. Nitrate, and ammonium sulphate showed practi- 
 cally no residual effect. Dried blood showed a slight 
 residual effect. 
 
 27. The animal manures showed a very pronounced 
 residual eff'ect. 
 
 28. Notwithstanding the annually repeated applica- 
 tions of manure, together with relatively large amounts 
 of nitrate, there is no marked evidence of denitrification. 
 
 29. All of the cylinder soils lost ('onsideral)le quanti- 
 ties of nitrogen. 
 
 TWENTY YEARS' WORK ON THE AVAILABILITY OF 
 NITROGEN IN NITRATE OF SODA, AMMONIUM 
 SULFATE, DRIED BLOOD AND FARM MANURES. 
 
 J. G. LiPMAK and A. W. Blair, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment 
 
 Station. 
 
 (Reprinted from " Soil Science.") 
 
 During the last twenty-five years the fertilizer indus^ 
 try in the United States has developed rapidly. From a 
 comparatively small tonnage in the early nineties it has 
 grown to more than 7,000,000 tons in 1917. 
 
 As the industry has grown tlie number of materials 
 that go to make up the fertilizers has also increased 
 greatly. Many by-products that were formerly allowed to 
 go to waste are now carefully saved and worked up in the 
 fertilizer factory This is especially true of the nitro- 
 genous materials which, under normal conditions, form 
 the most expensive part of the fertilizer. 
 
 The movement to save these waste materials contain- 
 ing nitrogen came none too early, for it was the deple- 
 tion in the soil of this element that was largely respon- 
 sible for the run-down and abandoned farms in the older 
 sections of the United States. For this element, most 
 crops show a quicker response than for any other, and 
 conversely, a falling off in yield wnll come sooner witli 
 a deficiency of nitrogen than of any other element. A 
 supply of available nitrogen aids the plant in getting a 
 good start so that its leaves may begin early to elaborate 
 food from the air and its roots may reach out for the 
 
]7)[) Kooi) von l*LANrs. 
 
 wah'i- of Ihc soil which holds in solution miiKM-al 
 lihiut-t'ood. 
 
 Since iiilroucii is siippruMl in many dilTcri'iil t'ornis, 
 it at once hccomcs a (|iU's1ion as to which of these is most 
 etHic'ieiit in t'l-op ijroduction. Far too little attention has 
 been ,u-iven to this ini])ortant (iiiestion. Too oi'tcn a cer- 
 tain material has l)een ehosen because* there was among 
 farmei's a general impression that this particular 
 material was ])etter than some othei", when, as a matter 
 of fact, thei-e was' no scientilic basis for such conclusion. 
 As an example, nitrogen from organic sources has been 
 preferi-ed by many because it was l)elieved that organic 
 matter thus supplied \vould be of great value in improv- 
 ing the i)liysical condition of the soil, 1)ut in making this 
 choice farmers overlooked the possibility of using a more 
 readily-available material which would increase the crop 
 residues sufficiently to more than make up for the small 
 amount of organic matter contained in the few hundred 
 pounds of dried blood, fish or tankage. Also, there is a 
 widespread impression that the loss of nitrogen is greater 
 when nitrates are used, than when organic nitrogen is 
 used. But experiments both in this country and abroad 
 show beyond a doubt that the crop yields and the per- 
 centage of nitrogen recovered in the crop were greater 
 (and hence the loss must have bL^en lens) wlien nitrates 
 were used than when organic sources of nitrogen w^ere used. 
 
 The question of availability of nitrogenous fertilizers 
 began to receive serious consideration at several of the 
 leading l^hiro])ean ex])eriment stations some 30 years 
 ago and nuich valual)le iid'ormation has l)een accumu- 
 hited by these stations. 
 
 About 10 years later the sul),iect bt'gan to receive atten- 
 tion in this could ry and it is a satisfaction to iind that 
 the results ol)tained here are fairly in accord with the 
 lindiiigs of the Eurojjean investigators. 
 
 Fairly comi)lete reviews of this early work have been 
 given in receid publications (2,1)) and no attempt will be 
 made liei-e to cover this field. 
 
 'I'lie completion in 1!M7 of 20 yeai's' work In wliicli a 
 
Food for Plants. 151 
 
 comparison is made of the materials mentioned in the 
 title of this paper would seem to justify the publication 
 at this time of a brief summary of the work. A detailed 
 account covering- the first 15 years of this work has 
 already been published (3). Much of this need not be 
 repeated, but the results of the last 5 years are of value 
 as confirming the earlier work. 
 
 Experimental. 
 
 The work was originally outlined under the broad 
 heading " Investigations Relative to the Use of Nitro- 
 genous Materials," and this included: (a) a determina- 
 tion of the yield of dry matter and nitrogen in crops 
 from soils recei\'ing various treatments under controlled 
 conditions; (b) the percentage of nitrogen in the crop 
 as affected by the treatment; (c) the utilization of nitro- 
 gen in different materials; (d) the relative efficiency of 
 nitrogen in different materials; (e) the residual etfects 
 of nitrogenous substances; (f) denitrification and (g) 
 the eifect of special treatment on the income and outgo 
 of nitrogen in the soil. 
 
 As the work has progressed, more and more attention 
 has l)een given to the utilization and relative efficiency 
 of nitrogen in different materials, and it is this phase of 
 the work which is to receive consideration in thir> paper. 
 
 In order that the work might be under more perfect 
 control, it was carried out in galvanized iron cylinders, 
 open at both ends and ha^dng a diameter of 2314 inches 
 and a depth of -1 feet. These cylinders were set on the 
 ground so that about 2 inches remained above the ground 
 level. Thus the contents of the cylinders are isolated so 
 that the roots of the crops growing in them are prevented 
 from getting mineral plant-food from outside sources. 
 The sub-soil is a gravelly sandy material such as occurs 
 where the cylinders are located, but the top soil is a 
 loam (Penn loam) Inought from another source, an 
 8-inch layer of which was placed in each cylinder on top 
 of the subsoil, each cylinder receix'ing the same weight 
 of the thoroughlv mixed soil. 
 
^7)'2 Food Koii Plants. 
 
 W'lu'ii tlic work was bcniiii all the soils were given a 
 libi'ral Ircaliiit'iil ol' linic in the form of ground lime- 
 stone and with the exception of one series wliich does 
 not enter into this discussion, all have received annual 
 dressings of acid phosi)hate and potassium chloride at 
 the rate of 640 jjounds and 320 ])oun(ls per acre, respec- 
 li\('ly. Thns nitrogen is made the limiting factor inso- 
 far as liuman control can provide. Various combina- 
 tions of manure and fertilizer were arranged, but it is 
 suflicient to I'eport here only on the four nitrogenous 
 materials mentioned in the title. 
 
 One series received the phosphoric acid and potash, 
 but no nitrogen, in order that it might be used as a 
 check. Thus if a certain amount of nitrogen is recovered 
 in the crop from the nitrogen-treated cylinder, and it is 
 desired to calculate the percentage of the applied nitro- 
 gen that was recovered, it is necessary first to deduct 
 from the total amount of nitrogen recovered in the crop, 
 the amount recovered from the check cylinder, and thus 
 account for the soil nitrogen that the crop used. 
 
 It is at once obvious that this cannot be an absolutely 
 correct method of determining the percentage recovered, 
 since in those c^dinders to which nitrogenous fertilizers 
 have been applied, the plant will make a quicker start 
 and the roots go farther in search of the nitrogenous 
 materials of the soil than in the check cylinders where 
 there is a pronounced deficiency of available nitrogen, 
 and thus the check fails to be a true check. In this way 
 it happens that the recovery may apparently be more 
 than 100 per cent, as shown in Series 8B, for the years 
 11K)1 anfl 1910. However, there appears to be no waj' of 
 overcoming this error so long as the w^ork is carried out 
 in the natural soil and if one starts with an artificial 
 soil, other and more serious difficulties arise. 
 
 In this work no effoi't has been made to analyze the 
 roots, since it would be w^ell-nigh impossible to do this 
 correcth', and even if it could be done the same error 
 would be introduced. The roots and stubble are left 
 just as under field conditions so that the residual elTects 
 of these mav l)e observed. 
 
Food for Plants. 153 
 
 To draw conclusions from 1 to 2 years of siicli work 
 would be manifestly unfair, but when it is carried on 
 for a period of 10 or 20 years, seasonal differences, dif- 
 ferences due to the unequal decomposition of organic 
 matter and differences due to slight errors, which are 
 sure to creep in now and then, are largely smoothed out 
 and results are obtained which can be accepted with a 
 fair degree of confidence. The contidence in such result 
 is strengthened when it is found that they check with 
 similar work conducted in other places or even in other 
 countries. 
 
 The work was started in these cylinders in the spring 
 of 1898 with corn as the first crop in the rotation. Four 
 5-year rotations have been carried out as follows: 
 
 First Rotation Third Uotatirm 
 
 1898 Com 1908 Corn 
 
 1899 Oats (millet) 1909 Oats (corn) 
 
 1900 Oats (corn) 1910 Oats (corn) 
 
 1901 Wheat 1911 Rye and oats 
 
 1902 Timothy 1912 Timothy 
 
 (two cuttinos) (two cuttings) 
 
 SpcoiuI Rotatiou Fourth Rotatidii 
 
 1903 Corn 1913 Corn 
 
 1904 Oats (corn) 1914 Oats (corn) 
 
 1905 Oats (corn) 1915 Oats (corn) 
 
 1906 Wheat 1916 Wheat 
 
 1907 Timothy 1917 Timothy 
 
 (two cuttings) (two cuttings) 
 
 The corn following the oats is grown as a residual 
 crop (without further addition of fertilizers) to utilize 
 any nitrogen which the oat crop may have failed to get. 
 All com is planted thick and harvested as forage rather 
 than as mature corn. Oats are harvested as oat-hay 
 just before maturity, and wheat is harvested at maturity 
 and saved as grain and straw. 
 
 Nitrogenous materials are applied for each main croii 
 in the rotation as follows : 
 
 Cylinder 4B, farm manure, at the rate of 16 tons per acre. 
 
 Cylinder 8 B. nitrate of soda, at the rate of 320 pounds per aei;e. 
 
 Cylinder 17B, ammonium sulfate, equivalent to 320 pounds of nitrate 
 of soda per acre. p •. . n 
 
 Cylinder 18B, dried blood, equivalent to 320 pounds of nitrate ot 
 soda per acre. 
 
ir)4 Food I'oK Plants. 
 
 'rims ;i (•.•ncrii! iTcoi'd is kcpl ot" llic ;iiiioiiiit of iiiti'o- 
 li'CMi ;ii)i)lic(l v;\v\] yciw and of the yield of di-y iiiallci' 
 from I'.Mcli (.'vliiidi'i'. Fi'oni dctenuiiiatioiis of llic ainoiint 
 ol' nil i-o.ii('ii ill the dry mallei- the lolal amouiil of iiiti'o- 
 yeii remoN'ed by the ei'op each year is easily eak'iilate(l. 
 
 Yield of Dry Matter. 
 
 The yield of dry matter under the four different treat- 
 ments for the 20 years is" shown in table 1, averages l)e- 
 ini>' ii,iven for two 10-year periods and also for the entire 
 20 years. For each 10-year ])erio(l the yield has been 
 lari>est with the manure, thoui-h it is less for the second 
 10-year pei'iod than for the first, which would indicate 
 that with manure at the rate of Ki tons jx'r acre tlie 
 fertility of the soil is not bein^' fully maintained. The 
 lowest \ield is from 18B where dried blood is used as 
 the source of nitrooen. Here again the average yield is 
 less for the second 10-year period than for the first. For 
 plots 8B and 17B, which receive nitrate of soda and 
 ammonium sulfate, respectively, the average yields for 
 the first 10 years are essentially the same for the two 
 treatments, but for the second 10 years the average for 
 the nitrate of soda treatment is consideral)ly above that 
 for the annnonium sulfate; furthermore, the average 
 yield with ammonium sulfate is, like the yield with dried 
 blood and farm manure, less for the second than for the 
 first 10-year period. With the nitrate of soda, however, 
 tlie figures are reversed, that is the average yield for 
 the second 10 years is somewhat af)ove that for the tirst 
 10 years. 
 
 The ((uestion may well be raised as to why the average 
 yields on 4B, 17B and 18B should be less for the second 
 10-year period than for the first, while the yield on SB 
 has been well maintained for the 20 years. Since phos- 
 phoric acid and i)otash have been supplied each year in 
 liberal amounts, and lime has been used at stated inter- 
 vals, it would seem clear that the falling off in yield 
 must be due to a deficiency of available nitrogen, not- 
 witiislandini'' the fad lliat cvlinders 17B and 18B receive 
 
Food for Plants 
 
 155 
 
 each year just as mucli iiitroo-eii as 8B, while 4B receives 
 more than two and one-half times as much as 8B. 
 
 Data presented heretofore, and which are confirmed 
 by results hereafter to be presented, show that of the 
 four materials, nitrate of soda is most effective in crop 
 production, that is, the crop is able to utilize or win 
 back a larger percentage of nitrogen in this form than 
 in any of the other forms. With a given amomit of 
 nitrogen, therefore, the crop yield can be better main- 
 tained over a period of years l)y the use of nitrogen in 
 the form of nitrate of soda than in the other forms, pro- 
 vided the soil is one that does not allow rapid leaching. 
 
 TABLE 1 
 Yield of dry matter with different nitrogenous materials 
 
 
 First 
 
 10-YE.\R Period 
 
 
 
 Second 10-ye.\r Period 
 
 
 Year 
 
 * 
 O 
 
 4B 
 
 SB 
 
 17B 
 
 18B 
 
 Year 
 
 * 
 
 c 
 c 
 
 d 
 
 4B 
 
 8B 
 
 17B 
 
 18B 
 
 1898 
 
 1899 
 
 1900 
 
 1901 
 
 1902 
 
 1903 
 
 1904 
 
 1905 
 
 1906 
 
 1907 
 
 gm. 
 291.1 
 146.6 
 238.1 
 126.0 
 
 86.2 
 160.3 
 118.7 
 125 . 7 
 
 98.3 
 107 . 3 
 
 gm. 
 467.1 
 
 354 . 1 
 
 387 . 2 
 342.2 
 147.8 
 315 
 262.0 
 262.0 
 316.0 
 237.0 
 
 gm. 
 393.9 
 184 . 5 
 317.0 
 331.0 
 150.9 
 183.0 
 170.0 
 226.0 
 244.0 
 168.0 
 
 gm. 
 401.0 
 190.5 
 310.1 
 300.0 
 143.9 
 291.0 
 167.0 
 209.0 
 226.0 
 133.0 
 
 gm. 
 341. S 
 186.3 
 307.9 
 239.4 
 115 6 
 216.0 
 160.0 
 191.0 
 144.0 
 172.0 
 
 1908 
 
 1909 
 
 1910 . . 
 
 1911 
 
 1912 
 
 1913 
 
 1914. , . . 
 
 1915 
 
 1916 . 
 1917. . . 
 
 Averaget 
 
 gm. 
 
 169.0 
 
 164.0 
 
 214.0 
 
 68.0 
 
 88.0 
 
 177.2 
 
 137.0 
 
 103.7 
 
 91.4 
 
 71.1 
 
 gm. 
 326 . 
 208.0 
 422.0 
 236.0 
 221.0 
 390 . 5 
 285.8 
 231.2 
 250.9 
 229.0 
 
 gm. 
 331.0 
 244.0 
 338 , 
 160.0 
 187.0 
 312.5 
 222 4 
 21L0 
 217.3 
 208.0 
 
 gm. 
 286.0 
 217.0 
 287.0 
 117.0 
 153 
 228 . 5 
 196.9 
 178.3 
 181.6 
 167.0 
 
 gm. 
 228.0 
 21S.0 
 276.0 
 126.0 
 115.0 
 286 . 5 
 198.3 
 147.5 
 112.9 
 139.0 
 
 Averagef. . 
 
 149.8 
 
 309.01 
 
 236.83 
 
 237.15 
 
 207.4 
 
 128.3 
 
 280.04 
 
 243.12 
 
 201.23 
 
 184.72 
 
 * Phosphoric acid, potash and lime, no nitrogen, 
 t First ten years. 
 t Second ten years. 
 
 This apparently is what has happened in this case. 
 With the gradual exhaustion of soil nitrogen, which was 
 made available by the use of lime, and the failure of the 
 ammonium sulfate, blood and manure to give back in 
 the form of crops as large a proportion of the applied 
 nit-rogen as the nitrate of soda, the yields with the for- 
 mer became gradually less. 
 
 The fact that cylinder 4B gave the largest average 
 yield through 20 years must not be taken as meaning 
 that the treatment given this cvlinder is' necessarily the 
 
I-'fi KoOl) T'OK l^F.ANTS. 
 
 best ()!• most crt'ective. It will be remembcicd that this 
 cylinder receives cow mMiiin'e at the rate of 16 tons per 
 acre aimnally, the cost of which Mcuild be much in excess 
 of the cost of 320 pounds of nitrate of soda or its 
 ('(piivalent in ammonium sulfate or dried blood, and 
 therefore the larger yield does not necessarily mean an 
 efficient u&e of the applied nitrogen. As a matter of 
 fact, the work shows this to be the least efficient of the 
 four forms. 
 
 Percentage of Nitrogen Recovered in the Crops. 
 
 Reference has already been made to the method of cal- 
 culating the percentage of nitrogen that is recovered in 
 the crop. The recoveries for the four different treat- 
 ments covering the 20 years are shown in table 2. The 
 averages for the period are as follows : 
 
 4B 32. 69 per cent, (manure) 
 
 8B 62.42 per cent. (Nitrate of Soda) 
 
 17B 47.48 per cent, (ammonium sulfate) 
 
 18B 48.69 per cent, (dried blood) 
 
 This means that of 100' pounds of nitrogen applied in 
 the four different forms approximately one-third, three - 
 fifths, one-half, and two-fifths, respectively, are recov- 
 ered or won back in the crop. As has already been men- 
 tioned, these figures agree quite closely with results 
 reported from European countries, and they also confirm 
 earlier work carried out at this Station. 
 
 But even so, they are not satisfying figures. We at 
 once ask why there is this enormous loss of nitrogen and 
 especially why the loss is so much greater with the 
 organic materials than with the nitrate of soda and am- 
 monium sulfate. If the loss is to be attributed to the 
 leaching out of the materials, then it would seem that 
 the figures should be reversed. Unquestionably, a cer- 
 tain amount of loss takes place in this way, but this can- 
 not explain the loss of over two-thirds from the manure 
 against a little more than one-third from nitrate. 
 
 It is well known that organic materials must undergo 
 certain transformations in the soil before the nitrogen 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 157 
 
 can become available, and it seems that during these 
 transformations nitrogen as ammonia, nitrate or as ele- 
 mental nitrogen must be lost in considerable quantities. 
 As bearing on this it may be pointed out that Russell 
 and Richards (5) have shown by laboratory experiments 
 with manure that in addition to the loss of ammonia by 
 volatilization there is still a loss amounting to 15 per 
 cent, or more of total nitrogen, and they have gone fur- 
 ther and shown that during decomposition there is an 
 evolution of gaseous nitrogen. This they believe com- 
 pletes the account of- the loss. This loss, they claim, 
 does not go on under wholly anaerobic or wholly aerobic 
 conditions but mider mixed anaerobic and aerobic con- 
 ditions which arise when manure is being produced. 
 They explain further that in the natural manure heap 
 nitrogen is also lost as gaseous ammonia as well as in 
 the form of nitrogen gas. 
 
 It is very probable that in a more limited way, similar 
 changes take place when organic compounds are placed 
 in the soil and that a part of the loss of nitrogen noted 
 in our experiments must be thus accounted for. It is a 
 well-known fact that when an organic substance like 
 cottonseed meal or dried blood is mixed with soil and 
 
 TABLE 2 
 Percentage of nitrogen recovered from different materials 
 
 FiKST 10-TEAR Period 
 
 Second 10-te.\r Period 
 
 Year 
 
 4B 
 
 8B 
 
 17B 
 
 18B 
 
 Year 
 
 4B 
 
 8B 
 
 17B 
 
 18B 
 
 1898 
 
 1899 
 
 1900 
 
 1901 
 
 1902 
 
 1903 
 
 1904 
 
 1905 
 
 1906 
 
 1907 
 
 28.15 
 51.48 
 36.18 
 41.78 
 11.48 
 20.20 
 38.91 
 30.10 
 44.94 
 33.85 
 
 63.75 
 48.45 
 77.55 
 110.26 
 32.06 
 30.84 
 46.19 
 68.77 
 81.81 
 45.10 
 
 66.06 
 58.27 
 69.47 
 91.91 
 23.64 
 34.38 
 39.26 
 56.05 
 30.80 
 27.47 
 
 58.18 
 44.58 
 57.25 
 68.71 
 14.32 
 20.97 
 33.68 
 34.01 
 24.78 
 42.48 
 
 1908 
 
 1909 
 
 1910 
 
 1911 
 
 1912 
 
 1913 
 
 1914 
 
 1915 
 
 1916 
 
 1917 
 
 Averaget 
 
 16.97 
 18.25 
 54.74 
 20.98 
 29.11 
 27.63 
 52.46 
 32.13 
 36.60 
 27.95 
 
 42.77 
 80.64 
 110.74 
 64.10 
 49.16 
 32.92 
 74.35 
 64.10 
 68.96 
 55.77 
 
 24.20 
 54.94 
 62.12 
 48.46 
 27.45 
 15.50 
 67.86 
 52.53 
 57.53 
 41.75 
 
 27.38 
 49.04 
 51.22 
 41.59 
 10.96 
 40.26 
 56.55 
 48.12 
 20.26 
 29.41 
 
 Average* 
 Average! 
 
 33.71 
 32.69 
 
 60.48 
 62.42 
 
 49.73 
 47.48 
 
 39.90 
 38.69 
 
 31.68 
 
 64.35 
 
 45.23 
 
 37.48 
 
 * First ten years, 
 t Second ten years, 
 j Twenty years. 
 
LIS Food i'oi; Plants. 
 
 iiiciihalcd in llic l;il)or:ilor> for a few days, escapin^u,' 
 anmionia iiia\- he detcftc'd, and Iroiii this it is a natural 
 c-onchision tliat wIhmi hwi^v (luantities of or<>'anic mattor 
 are ])hveed in the soil niuh'r nalui'al conditions, some 
 ammonia will he lost hy volatilization, especially when 
 the temperature and moisture conditions are t'avoral)le. 
 This then, together with the evolution of gaseous nitro- 
 gen, would in part at least exi)lain the heavy loss of 
 nitrogen where manure was used at the rate of 16 tons 
 per acre. 
 
 A discussion of this subject would not be completed 
 without a brief reference to the efl'ect of cultivation on 
 nitrogen losses. 
 
 Shntt ' lor exani))le has shown that when the ])raii'ie 
 soils of Saskatchewan were left undisturbed the loss of 
 nitrogen was slight, but as soon as cultivation was com- 
 menced losses set in. 
 
 Russell (4) refers further to losses of nitrogen 
 as follows : 
 
 One of the Hroadbalk wheat i)h>ts receives annually 14 tons of farm- 
 yard manure per ac-re containing 200 pounds of Nitrogen. Only a little 
 drainage can he detected and there is no reason to suppose that any 
 considerahle leaching out of Nitrates occurs, but the loss of Nitrogen 
 is enormous amounting to nearly 70 i)er cent, of the added quantity. 
 
 The condition for this decomposition appears to be copious aeration, 
 such as is ])roduced by cultivation and the presence of large quantities 
 of easily decomposable organic matter. Now these are i)recisely the 
 conditions of intensive farming in old countries and of pioneer fanning 
 in new lands, and the result is that the reserves of soil and manurial 
 Nitrogen are everywliere being dei)leted at an appalling rate. 
 
 Russell refers to the recuperative actions that are 
 going on, but says: " One of the most ])ressing prob- 
 lems at the present time is to learn how to suppress this 
 gaseous decomposition and to direct the processes 
 wholly into the nitrate channels." 
 
 In a paper on the nitrate content of cultivated and 
 uncultivated soils, Blair and McLean ( 1 ), have called at- 
 tention to the loss of nitrogen from ciUtivated soils and 
 also to the low recovei'V from nitrogen ai)i)lied as 
 
 - Cited 1)V IvusscU (4). 
 
Food for Plants. 159 
 
 organic materials. They point out that land under cul- 
 tivation is gradually being depleted of its store of nitro- 
 gen even when nitrogenous fertilizers are applied, each 
 year and that the average recovery of nitrogen applied 
 m the form of tish scrap for a period of nine years, was 
 only 36.36 per cent. 
 
 With the same nitrogen treatment soils allowed to run 
 wild just about maintained their nitrogen content, while 
 the carbon content of these soils was slightly increased. 
 
 The recovery of nitrogen in the four different treat- 
 ments for the 20 years is shown by the curves in iigure 
 1. A study of these curves shows' that the high points 
 are generally reached in either the first or second year 
 of oats, and in the wheat year, while the low points occur 
 almost invariably in the corn and timothy years. It is 
 not entirely clear whether this is a seasonal variation or 
 a crop characterisic. 
 
 It is certain, however, that the utilization of the resid- 
 ual nitrogen by the corn crop which follows the oats, 
 helps to explain the high recovery for the years when 
 oats are grown. 
 
 Conclusions. 
 
 In a 5-year rotation on Penn loam soil well supplied 
 with phosphoric acid, potash and lime, crop yields were 
 better maintained over a period of 20 years with nitrate 
 of soda at the rate of 320 pounds per acre than with an 
 equivalent amount of ammonium sulfate or dried blood. 
 For several years the latter gave results about on a par 
 with the nitrate, but an average of the second 10-year 
 period shows a considerable falling off with these materi- 
 als as compared with the nitrate. This is no doubt due 
 in part to the fact that the nitrate, being immediately 
 available, gives the i)lant an early start which tends to 
 keep it in the lead and to the further fact that in the trans- 
 formation of the ammonium salt and the organic material 
 into nitrates, there is a considerable loss of nitrogen, pos- 
 sibly as ammonia gas or gaseous nitrogen or both. The 
 
IGO Food for Plants. 
 
 loss cannot all be attrilmted to a leaching out of the 
 materials, even though the nitrification of ammonia and 
 organic residues may go on throughout a large portion 
 of the year. 
 
 In the above-mentioned rotation cow manure at the 
 rate of 16 tons per acre gave somewhat larger yields 
 than nitrate of soda, but the increased yields were not 
 sufficient to justify the increase in the cost of nitrogen. 
 
 Furthermore, tlie average yield with the manure was 
 less for the second 10-year period than for the first, 
 while the reverse is true with the nitrate of soda. Thus 
 it is shown that with 16 tons of manure per acre annu- 
 ally, the crop yield is not being maintained, \vhile with 
 nitrate of soda at the rate of 320 pounds per acre annu- 
 ally it is increasing slightly, as show^n by the average 
 for the second 10-year period. 
 
 The percentage of nitrogen recovered in the crop was 
 greater with the nitrate than with any of the other 
 materials, the 20-year average being as follows: 
 
 Per cent. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda 62.42 
 
 Ammonium sulfate 47 .48 
 
 Dried blood 38.69 
 
 Cow manure 32 . 69 
 
 The average recovery with nitrate for the second 10- 
 year period was 64.35 per cent, as against 60.48 per cent 
 for the first lO^year period, whereas the average re- 
 covery with the ammonium sulfate, dried blood and 
 manure w^is all less for the second 10-year period than 
 for the first. 
 
 This is in agreement with the crop fields, and indi- 
 cates a diminishing efficiency for the ammonium sulfate, 
 blood and manure, and a gradual increase in efficiency 
 for the nitrate of soda. 
 
 The work show^s that wiien properly used nitrate of 
 soda alone as a source of nitrogen may be depended 
 upon to maintain crop yields over a long period, and 
 that a given amount of nitrogen in this form is more 
 effective than an equivalent amount in the form of am- 
 monium sulfate, or organic materials. 
 
Food for Plants. 161 
 
 Its ctfect is to produce larft-er crops per unit of nitro- 
 gen, and these crops, in turn, leave behind in the soil 
 larger crop residues, and with carbonate of lime to aid 
 in their decomposition these furnish a sufficient supply 
 of organic matter to keep the soil in good physical 
 condition. 
 
 REFERENCES 
 
 (1) Blair, A. W., and McLean, H. C 1917 Total nitrogen and 
 
 carbon in cultivated land and land abandoned to grass and 
 weeds. In Soil Sci., v. 4, no. 4, p. 283-294. 
 
 (2) Coleman, D. A. 1917 Tlie influence of sodium nitrate upon 
 
 transformations in soils with special reference to its avail- 
 ability and that of other nitrogenous manures. In Soil Sci, 
 V. 4, no. 5, p. 345-432. 
 
 (3) LiPMAN, J. G., and Blair, A. W. 1916 Investigations relative 
 
 to the use of nitrogenous plant foods : 1898-1912. N. J. 
 Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 288. 
 
 (4) Russell, E. J. 1915 Soil Conditions and Plant Growth, new 
 
 ed., p. 83, Longmans, Green and Co., New York. 
 
 (5) Russell, E. J., and Richards, E. H. 1917 The changes taking 
 
 place during the storage of farmyard manure. In Jour. Agr. 
 Sci., V 8, p. 495-563. 
 
 Cost of Transportation of Fertilizers. 
 
 A striking illustration of the difference in the cost of 
 transportation by four different ways is given below: 
 
 To transport a ton by 
 
 Horse power, 5 miles; 
 Electric power, 25 miles; 
 Steam ears, 250 miles; 
 Steamships on the lakes, 1,000' miles; 
 costs the same amount in each case and the same amount of money will 
 haul a ton 
 
 5 miles on a common road, 
 15 miles on a well-made stone road, 
 25 miles on a trolley road, 
 250 miles on a steam railway, 
 1,000 miles on a steamship. 
 
 It will be seen that the same amount of money it takes 
 to haul a given amount of produce five miles on a public 
 highway of the United States will pay the freight for 
 250 miles on a railroad and 1,0'00 miles on a steamship 
 
162 Food for Plants. 
 
 lino oil the lakes. This is too great a difference, as will 
 be admitted by all, and when we think of the fact that 
 the railroad companies are ever at work reimiring and 
 improving their highways while the farmer is apparently 
 so little awake to his own interests in regard to furnish- 
 ing himself with better roads, we wonder why it is. The 
 lesson seems plain and clear, and, as progressive farm- 
 ers, let us continue to aid the good road movement 
 throughout the country. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda is essentially a seaboard article ; sup- 
 plies at interior points are not always available, hence 
 the ports of entry are as a rule the best sources of 
 supply. 
 
 The improvement of our water-ways, so long urged by 
 us, seems at last to be in sight; and farm chemicals at 
 low^er rates should ultimately be expected, even at in- 
 terior points. 
 
 It has been the custom of the railroad companies to 
 discruninate heavily and unfairly against Nitrate of 
 Soda by charging almost prohibitory chemical rates, 
 instead of equitable fertilizer rates, and it is hoped by 
 correctly designating the material, the discrimination 
 will not be practiced. 
 
 Farm newspapers, generally, are quite willing to pub- 
 lish wholesale quotations on all those things which the 
 farmer has to sell, and they have not, as a rule, pub- 
 lished wholesale quotations on those articles which he 
 has to buy. Among the latter, agricultural chemicals 
 occupy a position of prime importance, not only as to 
 actual effect on farm prosperity, but as to the actual 
 amount of cash Avhich the farmer has to spend, for his 
 produce comes out of the soil and its amount and 
 quality is determined by the character of the chemicals 
 he puts into it. Agricultural journals generally should 
 make a continued effort in the direction of enhancing his 
 purchasing ])()wer, by endeavoring to make him more 
 prosperous. 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 163 
 
 OF GENERAL INTEREST. 
 
 Average Annual Rainfall in the United States. 
 
 Place I 
 
 Xeali Bay, Wash 
 
 Sitka, Alaska 
 
 Ft. Haskins, Oregon 
 
 Mt. Vernon, Alabama 
 
 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 
 
 Meadow Valley, California. . . 
 
 Ft. Towson, Oklahoma 
 
 Ft. Meyers, Florida 
 
 Washington, Arkansas 
 
 Huutsville, Alabama 
 
 Natchez, Mississippi 
 
 New Orleans, Louisiana 
 
 Savannah, Georgia 
 
 Springdale, Kentucky 
 
 Fortress Monroe, Virginia. . . 
 
 Memphis, Tennessee 
 
 Newark, New Jersej* 
 
 Boston, Massachusetts 
 
 Brunswick, Maine 
 
 Cincinnati, Ohio 
 
 New Haven, Connecticut. . . . 
 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . . 
 
 New York City, N. Y 
 
 Charleston, South Carolina . . 
 
 Gaston, North Carolina 
 
 Richmond, Indiana 
 
 Marietta, Ohio ^ 
 
 St. Louis, Missouri • ■ 
 
 Muscatine, Iowa 
 
 Baltimore, Maryland 
 
 New Bedford, Massachusetts. 
 Providence, Rhode Island. . . . 
 Ft. Smith, Arkansas 
 
 iiches Place Inches 
 
 123 Hanover, New Hampshire ... 40 
 
 83 Ft. Vancouver 38 
 
 66 Cleveland, Ohio 37 
 
 66 Pit'tsburgh, Pennsylvania. .. . 37 
 
 60 Washington, D. C 37 
 
 57 White Sulphur Springs, Va.. 37 
 
 57 Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma 36 
 
 56 Key West, Florida 36 
 
 54 Peoria, Illinois 35 
 
 54 Burlington, Vermont 34 
 
 53 Buffalo, New York 33 
 
 51 Ft. Brown, Texas 33 
 
 48 Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas 31 
 
 48 Detroit, Michigan 30 
 
 47 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 30 
 
 45 Penn Yan, New York 28 
 
 44 Ft. Kearney 25 
 
 44 Ft. Snellins', Minnesota 25 
 
 44 Salt Lake City, Utah 23 
 
 44 Mackinac, ^lichigan 23 
 
 44 San Francisco, California. ... 21 
 
 44 Dallas, Oregon 21 
 
 43 Sacramento, California 21 
 
 43 Ft. Massachusetts, Colorado.. 17 
 
 43 Ft. Marcv, New Mexico 16 
 
 43 Ft. Randall, Dakota 10 
 
 43 Ft. Defiance, Arizona 14 
 
 43 Ft. Craig, New Mexico 11 
 
 42 San Diego, California 9 
 
 41 Ft. Colville, Washington 9 
 
 41 Ft. Bliss, Texas 9 
 
 41 Ft. Bridger, Utah 6 
 
 40 Ft. Garland, Colorado 6 
 
 How Deep in the Ground to Plant Corn. 
 The following is the result of an experiment with 
 Indian Corn. That which was planted at a depth of 
 
 1 inch, came up in • 8V2 days. 
 
 11/2 inches, came up in 91/2 days. 
 
 2 inches, came up in 10 days. 
 
 21/2 inches, came up in 11^/2 days. 
 
 3 inches, came up in 12 days. 
 
 314 inches, came up in 13 days. 
 
 4 inches, came up in 131/2 days. 
 
1G4 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 The more shallow the sood was covored with earth, the 
 more rapidly the sprout made its appearance, and the 
 stronger afterwards was the stalk. The deeper the seed 
 lay, the longer it remained before it came to the surface. 
 Four inches was too deep for the maize, and must, there- 
 fore, be too deep for smaller kernels. 
 
 Number of Years Seeds Retain Their Vitality. 
 
 Vegetables Years 
 
 Cucumber 8 to 10 
 
 Melon 8 to 10 
 
 Pumi)kin 8 to 10 
 
 Squash 8 to 10 
 
 Broccoli 5 to 6 
 
 Cauliflower 5 to 6 
 
 Artichoke 5 to 
 
 Endive 5 
 
 Pea 5 
 
 Radish 4 
 
 Beets 3 
 
 Cress 3 to 
 
 Lettuce 3 to 
 
 Mustard 3 to 
 
 Okra 3 
 
 Rhubarb 3 
 
 S])inacli 3 to 
 
 Turnip 3 to 
 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 
 to 
 to 
 
 Vegetables 
 
 Asparap:us . . . . 
 
 Beans 
 
 Carrots 
 
 Celery 
 
 Corn (on cob) 
 
 Leek 
 
 Onion 
 
 Parsley 
 
 Parsnij) 
 
 Pepper 
 
 Tomato 
 
 Eergr-Plant . . . 
 
 Years 
 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 to 
 
 Herbs. 
 
 Anise 
 
 Caraway 
 
 Summer Savory 
 Sagfe . 
 
 3 to 
 
 4 
 2 
 
 ,1 to 2 
 2 to 3 
 
 Amount of Barbed Wire Required for Fences. 
 
 Estimated number of pounds of Barbed Wire required 
 to fence space for distances mentioned, Avith one, two or 
 three lines of wire, based upon each pound of wire, meas- 
 uring one rod (161/^ feet). 
 
 1 line 
 
 1 square acre 50% 
 
 1 side of a square acre. 12% 
 
 1 square half-acre .... 36 
 
 1 square mile 1 ,280 
 
 1 side of a square mile. 230 
 
 1 rod in loncrth 1 
 
 100 rods in leno:th 100 
 
 2 lines 
 
 3 lines 
 
 lbs. 
 
 1011/3 
 
 lbs. 
 
 152 
 
 lbs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 25 Mt 
 
 lbs. 
 
 38 
 
 lbs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 72 
 
 lbs. 
 
 108 
 
 lbs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 2.560 
 
 lbs. 
 
 3.840 
 
 lbs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 460 
 
 lbs. 
 
 690 
 
 lbs. 
 
 lb. 
 
 2 
 
 lbs. 
 
 3 
 
 lbs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 200 
 
 lbs. 
 
 300 
 
 lbs. 
 
 100 feet in length 
 
 6Vi6 lbs. 
 
 121/8 lbs. 
 
 18%6 lbs. 
 
 How Grain will Shrink. 
 Farmers rarely gain by holding on to their grain after 
 it is fit for market, when the shrinkage is taken into 
 
Food for Plants. 165 
 
 account. Wheat, from the time it is threshed, will shrink 
 two quarts to the bushel or six per cent, in six months, 
 in the most favorable circumstances. Hence, it follows 
 that ninety-four cents a bushel for wheat when first 
 threshed in August, is as good, taking into account the 
 shrinkage alone, as one dollar in the following February. 
 
 Corn shrinks much more from the time it is first 
 husked. One hundred bushels of ears, as they come from 
 the field in November, Avill be reduced to not far from 
 eighty. So that forty cents a bushel for corn in the ear, 
 as it comes from the field, is as good as fifty in March, 
 shrinkage only being taken into account. 
 
 In the case of potatoes — taking those that rot and 
 are otherwise lost — together with the shrinkage, there 
 is but little doubt that between October and June, the 
 loss to the owner who holds them is not less than thirty- 
 three per cent. 
 
 This estimate is taken on the basis of interest at 7 per 
 cent., and takes no account of loss by vermin. 
 
 One hundred pounds of Indian meal is equal to • 76 
 pounds of wheat, 83 of oats, 90 of rye. 111 of barley, 3H3 
 of com stalks. 
 
 Carrying Capacity of a Freig-ht Car. 
 
 This Table is for Ten-Ton Cars. 
 
 Whiske}^ 60 barrels Lumber 6,000 feet 
 
 Salt 70 barrels Barley 300 bushels 
 
 Lime 70 barrels Wheat 340 bushels 
 
 Flour 90 barrels Flax Seed 360 bushels 
 
 E^gs 130 to 160 barrels Apples '. 370 bushels 
 
 Flour 200 sacks Corn 400 bushels 
 
 Wood 6 cords Potatoes 430 bushels 
 
 Cattle 18 to 20 head Oats 680 bushels 
 
 Ho^s 50 to 60 head Bran 1,000 bushels 
 
 Sheep 80 to lOO head Butter 20,0€0 pounds 
 
 How to Measure Com in Crib, Hay in Mow, etc. 
 
 This rule wdll apply to a crib of any size or kind. Two 
 cubic feet of good, sound, dry corn in the ear will make 
 a bushel of shelled corn. To get, then, the quantity of 
 shelled corn in a crib of corn in the ear, measure the 
 
166 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 long-ill, broadtli and height of the crib, inside of the rail; 
 multiply the length by the breadth and the product by 
 the height ; then divide the product by two, and you have 
 the nuinl)er of bushels of shelled corn in the crib. 
 
 To lind the number of bushels of apples, potatoes, etc., 
 in a bin, multiply the length, breadth and thickness 
 together, and this product by 8, and point off one figure 
 in the product for decimals. 
 
 To tind the amount of hay in a. mow, allow 512 cubic 
 feet for a ton, and it will eouie out very generally 
 correct. 
 
 Length of Navigation of the Mississippi River. 
 
 The length of navigation of the Mississippi liiver it- 
 self for ordinary large steamboats is about 2,161 miles, 
 but small steamers can ascend about 650 miles further. 
 The following are its principal navigable tributaries, 
 with the miles open to navigation : 
 
 Miles 
 
 Minnesota 295 
 
 Chippewa ^0 
 
 Iowa ^^ 8^ 
 
 Missouri L,9()0 
 
 Bis Horn 50 
 
 Allegheny 325 
 
 Muskingum 94 
 
 Kentuekv 1^^ 
 
 Wabash' 365 
 
 Tennessee ~'^ 
 
 Osage 30L 
 
 White 779 
 
 Little White 48 
 
 Big Hatchie ''S 
 
 Sunflower 271 
 
 Tallahatchie 1"5 
 
 Red 986 
 
 Cy])ress 44 
 
 Black 61 
 
 Bartholomew 100 
 
 Macon 60 
 
 Atchaf alaya 21 S 
 
 Lafourche 168 
 
 The other ten navigable tributaries have less than fifty 
 miles each of navigation. The total miles of navigation 
 
 Miles 
 
 Wisconsin 160 
 
 Rock 64 
 
 Illinois 350 
 
 Yellowstone 474 
 
 Ohio 950 
 
 Monongahela 110 
 
 Kanawha 94 
 
 Green 200 
 
 Cumberland 600 
 
 Clinch 50 
 
 St. Francis 180 
 
 Black 147 
 
 Arkansas 884 
 
 Issaquena 161 
 
 Yazoo 
 Big Black . 
 
 Cane 
 
 Ouachita .. 
 BoeuC . . . . 
 Tensas . . . . 
 
 Teche 
 
 D'Arbonne 
 
 228 
 35 
 54 
 
 384 
 55 
 
 112 
 91 
 50 
 
Food foe Plants. 167 
 
 of these fifty-five streams is about 16,500 miles, or about 
 two-thirds the distance around the world. The Missis- 
 sippi and its tributaries may be estimated to possess 
 15,550 miles navigable to steamboats, and 20,221 miles 
 navigable to barges. 
 
 Business Rules for Farmers. 
 
 The way to get credit is to be punctual in paying your 
 bills. The way to preserve it is not to use it much. 
 Settle often; have short accounts. 
 
 Trust no man's appearances — thej^ are deceptive — 
 perhaps assumed, for the purpose of obtaining credit. 
 Beware of gaudy exterior. Rogues usually dress well. 
 The rich are plain men. Trust him, if any, w^ho carries 
 but little on his back. Never trust him who flies into a 
 passion on being dunned ; make him pay quickly, if there 
 be any virtue in the law. 
 
 Be well satisfied before you give a credit that those to 
 whom you give it are men to be trusted. 
 
 Sell your goods at a small advance, and never mis- 
 represent them, for those whom you once deceive will 
 beware of you the second time. 
 
 Deal uprightly with all men, and they will repose con- 
 fidence in you, and soon become your permanent 
 customers. 
 
 Beware of him who is an office seeker. Men do not 
 usually want an office when they have anything to do. A 
 man's affairs are rather low when he seeks office for 
 support. i 
 
 Trust no stranger. Your goods are better than doubt- 
 ful charges. What is character worth, if you make it 
 cheap by crediting everybody? 
 
 Agree beforehand with every man about to do a job, 
 and, if large, put it into writing. If any decline this, 
 quit, or be cheated. Though you w^ant a job ever so 
 much, make all sure at the outset, and in case at all 
 doubtful, make sure of a guarantee. Be not afraid to 
 ask it; the best test of responsibility; for, if offence be 
 taken, you have escaped a loss. 
 
168 Food for Plants. 
 
 Business Laws in Brief. 
 
 T^noraiico of law exciist's none. 
 
 It is a fraud to conceal a fraud. 
 
 The law compels no one to do iini)ossil)ilities. 
 
 An agreement without consideration is void. 
 
 Signatures made with lead-i)en('il are good in law. 
 
 A receipt for money i)aid is not legally conclusive. 
 
 The acts of one partner bind all the others. 
 
 Contracts made on Sunday cannot be enforced. 
 
 A contract made with a minoi" is invalid. 
 
 A contract made with a lunatic is void. 
 
 Contracts for advertising in Sunday newspapers are 
 invalid. 
 
 Each individual in a partnership is responsible for 
 the whole amount of the debts of a firm. 
 
 Principals are responsible for the acts of their agents. 
 
 Agents are responsible to their principals for errors. 
 
 A note given by a minor is void. 
 
 It is not legally necessary to say on a note ' ' for value 
 received. ' ' 
 
 A note drawn on Sunday is void. 
 
 A note obtained by fraud, or from a person in a state 
 of intoxication, cannot be collected. 
 
 If a note be lost or stolen, it does not release the 
 maker; he must pay. 
 
 The indorser of a note is exempt from liability if not 
 served with notice of its dishonor within twenty-four 
 hours of its non-payment. 
 
 How to Treat Sunstroke. 
 
 Take the patient at once to a cool and shady place, but 
 don't carry him far to a house or hospital. Loosen the 
 clothes thoroughly about his neck and waist. Lay him 
 doMTi with the head a little raised. Apply wet cloths to 
 the head, and mustard or turpentine to the calves of the 
 legs and the soles of the feet. Give a little weak whiskey 
 and water if he can swallow. Meanwhile, let some one go 
 for the doctor. You cannot do more without his advice. 
 
Food for Plants. 169 
 
 Sunstroke is a sudden prostration due to long ex- 
 posure to great heat, especially when much fatigued or 
 exhausted. It commonly happens from undue exposure 
 to the sun's rays in summer. It begins with pain in the 
 head, or dizziness, quickly followed by loss of conscious- 
 ness and complete prostration. 
 
 How to Rent a Farm. 
 
 In the rental of property, the greater risk is always on 
 the landlord's side. He is putting his property into the 
 possession and care of another, and that other is not 
 infrequently a person of doubtful utility. These rules 
 and cautions may well be observed : 
 
 1. Trust to no verbal lease. Let it be in writing, 
 signed and sealed. Its stipulations then become com- 
 mands and can be enforced. Let it be signed in dupli- 
 cate, so that each party may have an original. 
 
 2. Insert such covenants as to repairs, manner of use 
 and in restraint of waste, as the circumstances call for. 
 As to particular stipulations, examine leases drawTi by 
 those who have had long experience in renting farms, 
 and adopt such as meet your case. 
 
 3. There should be covenants against assigning and 
 underletting. 
 
 4. If the tenant is of doubtful responsibility, make the 
 rent payable in installments. A covenant that the crops 
 shall remain the lessor's till the lessee's contracts with 
 him have been fulfilled, is valid against the lessee's cred- 
 itors. In the ordinary case of renting farms on shares, 
 the courts will treat the crops as the joint property of 
 landlord and tenant, and thus protect the former's 
 rights. 
 
 5. Every lease should contain stipulations for for- 
 feiture and re-entry in case of non-payment or breach 
 of any covenants. 
 
 6. To prevent a tenant's committing waste, the courts 
 will grant an injunction. 
 
 7. Above all, be careful in selecting your tenant. 
 There is more in the man than there is in the bond. 
 
 tP 
 
170 Food for Plants. 
 
 Facts for the Weatherwise. 
 
 If the full moon rises clear, expect fine weather. 
 
 A large ring around tlie moon and low clouds indicate 
 rain in twenty-four hours ; a small ring and high clouds, 
 rain in several days. 
 
 The larger the halo ahout the moon the nearer the rain 
 clouds, and the sooner the rain may be expected. 
 
 When the moon is darkest near the horizon, expect 
 rain. 
 
 If the full moon rises jiale, expect rain. 
 
 A red moon indicates wind. 
 
 If the moon is seen between the s-cud and broken cloud 
 during a gale, it is expected to send away the bad 
 weather. 
 
 In^he old of the moon a cloudy morning bodes a fair 
 afternoon. 
 
 If there be a general mist before sunrise near the full 
 of the moon, the weather will be fine for some days. 
 
 Farmers' Barometers. 
 
 If the duckweed and scarlet pimpernel expand their 
 tiny petals, rain need not be expected for a few hours, 
 ssijs a writer. 
 
 Bees work with redoubled energy before a rain. 
 
 If flies are unusually persistent either in the house or 
 around the stock, there is rain in the air. 
 
 The cricket sings at the approach of cold weather. 
 
 Squirrels store a large supply of nuts, the husks of 
 corn are usually thick, and the buds of deciduous trees 
 have a firmer protecting coat if a severe winter is at 
 hand. 
 
 Corn fodder is extremely sensitive to hygrometric 
 changes. When dry and crisp, it indicates fair weather; 
 when damp and limp, look out for rain. 
 
 A bee was never caught in a shower ; therefore w^hen 
 his bees leave their hive in search of honey, the farmer 
 knows that the weather is going to be good. 
 
Food for Plants. 171 
 
 Philosophical Facts. 
 
 The greatest height at which visible clouds ever exist 
 does not exceed ten miles. 
 
 Air is about eight hundred and fifteen times lighter 
 than water. 
 
 The pressure of the atmosphere upon every square 
 foot of the earth amounts to two thousand one hundred 
 and sixty pounds. An ordinary sized man, supposing 
 liis surface to be fourteen square feet, (sustains the 
 enormous pressure of thirty thousand, two hundred and 
 forty pounds. 
 
 The barometer falls one-tenth of an inch for every 
 seventy-eight feet of elevation. 
 
 The violence of the expansion of water when freezing 
 is sufficient to cleave a globe of copper of such thickness 
 as to require a force of 27,000 pounds to produce the 
 same effect. 
 
 During the conversion of ice into water one hundred 
 and forty degrees of heat are absorbed. 
 
 Water, when converted into steam, increases in bulk 
 eighteen hundred times. 
 
 In one second of time — in one beat of the pendulmn of 
 a clock — light travels two hundred thousand miles. 
 Were a cannon ball shot toward the sun, and were it to 
 maintain full speed, it woud be twenty years in reaching 
 it — and yet light travels through this space in seven or 
 eight minutes. 
 
 Strange as it may appear, a ball of a ton weight and 
 another of the same material of an ounce weight, falling 
 from any height will reach the ground at the same time. 
 
 The heat does not increase as we rise above the earth 
 nearer to the sun but decreases rapidly until, beyond the 
 regions of the atmosphere, in void, it is estimated that 
 the cold is about seventy degrees below zero. The line 
 of perpetual frost at the equator is 15,000 feet altitude ; 
 13,000 feet between the tropics; and 9,000 to 4,000 be- 
 tw^een the latitudes of forty and forty-nine degrees. 
 
17l' Food for Plants. 
 
 At a (k'ptli of forty-live feet under ground, the tem- 
 perature of the earth is uniform throughout the year. 
 
 In summer time, the season of ripening moves north- 
 ward at the rate of about ten miles a day. 
 
 The human ear is so extremely sensitive that it can 
 hear a sound that lasts only the twenty-four thousandth 
 part of a second. Deaf persons have sometimes con- 
 versed together through rods of wood held between their 
 teeth, or held to their throat or breast. 
 
 The ordinary pressure of the atmosphere on the sur- 
 face of the earth is two thousand one hundred and sixty 
 pounds to each square foot, or fifteen jjounds to each 
 square inch; equal to thirty perpendicular inches of mer- 
 cury, or thirty-four and a half feet of water. 
 
 Sound travels at the rate of one thousand one hundred 
 and forty-two feet per second — about thirteen miles in 
 a minute. So that if we hear a clap of thunder half a 
 minute after the flash, we may calculate that the dis- 
 charge of electricity is six and a half miles oft". 
 
 Lightning can be seen by reflection at the distance of 
 two hundred miles. 
 
 The explosive force of closely confined gunpowder is 
 six and a half tons to the square inch. 
 
 How to Preserve Eggs. 
 
 To each pailful of water, add two pints of fresh 
 slaked lime and one pint of common salt ; mix well. Fill 
 your ban el half full with this fluid, put your eggs dowii 
 in it any time after June, and they will keep two years, 
 if desired. A solution of silicate of soda, commonly 
 known as water glass, is also used for the same purpose. 
 
 Estimating Measures 
 
 A pint of water weighs nearly 1 pound, and is equal to 
 about 27 cubic inches, or a square box 3 inches long, 3 
 inches wide and 3 inches deep. 
 
 A quart of water weighs nearly 2 pounds, and is equal 
 to a square box of about 4 by 4 inches and 3i/2 inches 
 deep. 
 
Food for Plants. 173 
 
 A gallon of water weighs from 8 to 10 pounds, accord- 
 ing to the size of the gallon, and is equal to a box 6 by 6 
 inches square and 6, 7 or 71/2 inches deep. 
 
 A peck is equal to a box 8 by 8 inches square and 8 
 inches deep. 
 
 A bushel almost fills a box 12 by 12 inches square and 
 15 inches deep. In exact figures, a bushel contains 
 2150.42 cubic inches. 
 
 A cubic foot of water weighs nearly 64 pounds (more 
 correctly 62i/^ pounds), and contains from 7 to 8 gallons, 
 according to the kind of gallons used. 
 
 A barrel of water almost fills a box 2 by 2 feet scpmre 
 and iy2 feet deep, or 6 cubic feet. 
 
 Petroleum barrels contain 40 gallons, or nearly 5 
 cubic feet. 
 
 Square Measure 
 
 144 sq. inches = 1 sq. foot. 160 sq. rods = 1 acre. 
 
 9 sq. feet = 1 sq. yard. 43,560 sq. feet = 1 acre. 
 
 3014 sq. yards = 1 sq. rod. 640 acres = 1 sq. mile. 
 
 2.47 acre = 1 hectare. 
 
 Facts for Builders. 
 
 One thousand shingles, laid 4 inches to the weather, will 
 cover 100 square feet of surface, and 5 pounds of shingle 
 nails will fasten them on. 
 
 One-fifth more siding and flooring is needed than the 
 number of square feet of surface to be covered because 
 of the lap in the siding and matching. 
 
 One thousand laths will cover 70 yards of surface, and 
 11 pounds of lath nails will nail them on. Eight bushels 
 of good lime, 16 bushels of sand, and one bushel of hair, 
 will make enough good mortar to plaster 100 square 
 yards. 
 
 A cord of stone, 3 bushels of lime and a cubic yard of 
 sand, will lay 100 cubic feet of wall. 
 
 Five courses of brick will lay one foot in height on a 
 chimney; 16 bricks in a course will make a flue 4 inches 
 wide and 12 inches long, and 8 bricks in a course will 
 make a flue 8 inches wide and 16 inches long. 
 
174 
 
 P^ooD FOR Plants. 
 
 Cement 1 bushel and sand 2 bushels will cover Sy^ 
 square yards 1 inch thick, 41/0 square yards ^ i^t^h thick, 
 and 6% square yards V2 "^^^i thick. One bushel cement 
 and 1 of sand "w411 cover 2i/^ square yards 1 inch thick, 3 
 s(iuare yards % incli thick, and 41/4 square yards 1/2 inch 
 thick. 
 
 Number of Brick Required to Construct Any Building. 
 
 (Hec'koniug 7 Brick to Each Superficial Foot) 
 
 Superficial 
 
 Feet 
 
 OF Wall 
 
 
 Number 
 
 OF Bricks to Thickness of 
 
 
 4 inch 
 
 8 inch 
 
 12 inch 
 
 16 inch 
 
 20 inch 
 
 24 inch 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 15 
 
 23 
 
 30 
 
 38 
 
 45 
 
 53 
 
 60 
 
 68 
 
 75 
 
 1.50 
 
 225 
 
 300 
 
 375 
 
 450 
 
 525 
 
 600 
 
 675 
 
 750 
 
 1,500 
 
 2/2,50 
 
 3,000 
 
 3,750 
 
 4,500 
 
 5,250 
 
 6,000 
 
 6,7.50 
 
 7,500 
 
 15 
 
 30 
 
 45 
 
 60 
 
 75 
 
 90 
 
 105 
 
 120 
 
 1.35 
 
 1.50 
 
 300 
 
 450 
 
 600 
 
 750 
 
 900 
 
 1,0.50 
 
 1,200 
 
 1,3,50 
 
 1,500 
 
 3,000 
 
 4,500 
 
 6,000 
 
 7,500 
 
 9,000 
 
 10,. 500 
 
 12,000 
 
 13,. 500 
 
 15,000 
 
 23 
 
 45 
 
 68 
 
 90 
 
 113 
 
 1.35 
 
 158 
 
 180 
 
 203 
 
 225 
 
 450 
 
 675 
 
 900 
 
 1,125 
 
 1,.350 
 
 1,.575 
 
 1,800 
 
 2,025 
 
 2,2.50 
 
 4,. 500 
 
 6,750 
 
 9,000 
 
 11,250 
 
 13,500 
 
 15,750 
 
 18,000 
 
 20,250 
 
 22,500 
 
 30 
 
 60 
 
 90 
 
 120 
 
 150 
 
 180 
 
 210 
 
 240 
 
 270 
 
 300 
 
 600 
 
 900 
 
 1,200 
 
 1,500 
 
 1,800 
 
 2,100 
 
 2,400 
 
 2,700 
 
 3,000 
 
 6,000 
 
 9,000 
 
 12,000 
 
 15,000 
 
 18,000 
 
 21,000 
 
 24,000 
 
 27,000 
 
 30,000 
 
 38 
 
 75 
 
 113 
 
 150 
 
 188 
 
 225 
 
 263 
 
 300 
 
 3,38 
 
 .375 
 
 750 
 
 1,125 
 
 1,500 
 
 1,875 
 
 2,250 
 
 2,625 
 
 3,000 
 
 3,. 375 
 
 3,750 
 
 7,500 
 
 11,250 
 
 15,000 
 
 18,750 
 
 22,, 500 
 
 26,250 
 
 30,000 
 
 .33,750 
 
 37,500 
 
 45 
 
 2 
 
 90 
 
 3 
 
 1,35 
 
 4 
 
 180 
 
 5 
 
 225 
 
 6 
 
 270 
 
 7 
 
 315 
 
 S 
 
 360 
 
 9 
 
 405 
 
 10 
 
 4.50 
 
 20 
 
 900 
 
 .30 
 
 1,.350 
 
 40 
 
 50 
 
 1,800 
 2,2.50 
 
 60 
 
 2,700 
 
 70 
 
 3,1.50 
 
 80 
 
 3,600 
 
 90 
 
 4,0.50 
 
 100 
 
 4,. 500 
 
 200 
 
 9,000 
 
 300 
 
 13,, 500 
 
 400 
 
 18,000 
 
 .500 
 
 22,, 500 
 
 630 
 
 27,000 
 
 700 
 
 31,. 500 
 
 800 
 
 .36,000 
 
 900 
 
 40,500 
 
 1000 
 
 45,000 
 
 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 175 
 
 Weight of a Cubic Foot of 
 
 Article Pounds 
 
 Alcohol 49 
 
 Ash wood 53 
 
 Bay wood 51 
 
 Brass, gun metal 543 
 
 Blood QQ 
 
 Brick, eommon 102 
 
 Cork 15 
 
 Cedar 35 
 
 Copper, east 547 
 
 Clay 120 
 
 Coal, Lackawanna 50 
 
 Coal, Lehish 56 
 
 Cider 64 
 
 Chestnut. 38 
 
 Earth, loose 94 
 
 Glass, window 165 
 
 Gold 1,203% 
 
 Hiekorv, shell bark 43 
 
 Hay, bale 9 
 
 Ha}', pressed 25 
 
 Honey 90 
 
 Iron, cast 450 
 
 Iron, plates 481 
 
 Iron, -wrouo'lit bars 486 
 
 Ice 571/2 
 
 Lisrnum Vitte wood 83 
 
 Tx)e:wood 57 
 
 Lead, cast 709 
 
 Earth, Stone, Metal, Etc. 
 
 Article Pounds 
 
 Milk 64 
 
 Maple 47 
 
 Mortar HO 
 
 Mud 102 
 
 Marble, Vermont 165 
 
 Mahogany 66 
 
 Oak, Canadian 54 
 
 Oak, live, seasoned 67 
 
 Oak, white, dry 54 
 
 Oil, linseed 59 
 
 Pine, yellow 34 
 
 Pine, white 34 
 
 Pine, red 37 
 
 Pine, well seasoned 30 
 
 Silver 62534 
 
 Steel, plates 48734 
 
 Steel, soft 489 
 
 Stone, common, about. . . 158 
 
 Sand, wet, about 128 
 
 Spruce 31 
 
 Tin 455 
 
 Tar 63 
 
 Vinegar 67 
 
 Water, salt 64 
 
 Water, rain 62 
 
 Willow 36 
 
 Zinc, cast 428 
 
 What a Deed to a Farm in Many States Includes. 
 Every one knows it conveys all the fences standing on 
 the farm, but all might not think it also included the fenc- 
 ing-stuff, post rails, etc., which had once been used in the 
 fence, but had been taken down and piled up for future 
 use again in the same place. But new fencing material, 
 just bought, and never attached to the soil, would not 
 pass. So piles of hop poles stored away, if once used on 
 the land and intended to be again so used, have been con- 
 sidered a part of it, but loose boards or scaffold poles 
 merely laid across the beams of the barn, and never fast- 
 ened to it, would not be, and the seller of the farm might 
 take them away. Standing trees, of course, also pass as 
 part of the land; so do trees blown down or cut down, 
 and still left in the wood where they fell, but not if cut 
 
17() Foon FOR Plants. 
 
 and corded up for sale; the wood has then become per- 
 sonal property. 
 
 If there is any manure in the barnyard or in the com- 
 post heap on the field, ready for immediate use, the buyer 
 ordinarily, in the absence of any contrary agreement, 
 takes that also as belono-in.c: to the farm, though it might 
 not be so, if the owner had previously sold it to some 
 other party and had collected it together in a heap by 
 itself, for such an act might be a technical severance 
 from the soil, and so convert real into personal estate; 
 and even a lessee of a farm could not take away the man- 
 ure made on the place while he was in occupation. 
 Growing crops also pass by the deed of a farm, unless 
 they are expressly reserved ; and when it is not intended 
 to convey those, it should be so stated in the deed itself ; 
 a mere oral agreement to that effect would not be, in 
 most states, valid in law. Another mode is to stipulate 
 that possession is not to be given until some future day, 
 in which case the crops or manures may be removed 
 before that time. 
 
 As to the buildings on the farm, though generally 
 mentioned in the deed, it is not absolutely necessary 
 they should be. A deed of land ordinarily carries all 
 the buildings on it, belonging to the grantor, whether 
 mentioned or not; and this rule includes the lumber and 
 timber of any old building which has been taken down, or 
 blown down, and packed away for future use on farm. 
 
 Relative Value of Different Foods for Stock. 
 
 One hundred pounds of good hay for stock are equal to : 
 
 Articles Pounds Articles Pounds 
 
 Beets, white silesia 669 Lucern 89 
 
 Turnips 469 Clover, Red, Drj' 88 
 
 Rye-Straw 429 Buckwheat TSVo 
 
 Clover, Red, Green 373 Corn 621/0 
 
 Carrots 371 Oats 59 
 
 Mangolds 3681/2 Barley 58 
 
 Potatoes, kept in pit 350 Rye 531/2 
 
 Oat-Straw 347 Wheat 441/2 
 
 Potatoes 360 Oil-Cake, linseed 43 
 
 Carrot leaves (tops) 135 Peas, dry 371/2 
 
 Hay, Endish 100 Beans 28 
 
Food for Plants. 177 
 
 Hints for Fanners. 
 
 Vincent's Eomedies for farm animals have been used 
 with considerable success for several years, and they are 
 recommended here as being worthy of trial. 
 
 First for Horses. When horses have chills, or have 
 taken cold, or have colic, 15-20 drops of Aconite in a tea- 
 cup of warm water will start perspiration, and if the 
 horses are kept heavily blanketed, if the ailments are not 
 more than ordinary, they will come out of them in good 
 condition. 
 
 For Cattle. When cows get chilled, and if for any 
 reason after dropping calves, the cows appear to shake, 
 15 drops of Aconite in a teacup of warm water will start 
 perspiration, and if the cows are kept well blanketed, 
 they will come out of the trouble without further treat- 
 ment, unless the aihnents are more than usual. 
 
 For Calves. A disease which has killed many fine 
 young animals, even under the best conditions, is known 
 as " scours." Vincent's cure in this case is a teaspoon- 
 ful of Essence of Peppermint in half a teacup of warm 
 water. This is to be administered after feeding night 
 and morning, and is ahnost a certain cure, having saved 
 the lives of many valuable calves. 
 
 For Sheep. A disease known as " stretches," caused 
 by some stoppage in the bowels, can be frequently reme- 
 died by raising the sheep by its hind legs and holding it 
 in that position for some minutes. In nine cases out of 
 ten, a permanent cure is effected. This is worth remem- 
 bering on account of many sheep having died from this 
 cause. 
 
 To Revive Ferns. 
 
 Nitrate of Soda dissolved in water should be given to 
 ferns that are small or weak, one-quarter of an ounce 
 of Nitrate to a gallon of water. One-half an ounce of 
 Nitrate to a gallon of water should be used on plants that 
 are large and vigorous. Soot and salt are also good to 
 use occasionallv. 
 
178 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 Capacity of Cisterns for Each 10 Inches in 
 
 •25 
 20 
 15 
 14 
 13 
 12 
 11 
 10 
 
 9 
 
 8 
 
 7 
 
 61/2 
 
 6 
 5 
 
 41/2 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 21/2 
 
 ICC't 
 
 foet 
 I'ect 
 J'eet 
 ft-et 
 fei't 
 feet 
 feet, 
 feet 
 feet 
 feet 
 feet 
 feet 
 feet 
 feet 
 feet 
 feet 
 feet 
 feet 
 
 in diameter 
 in (liiinieter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 in diameter 
 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 hlods. 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds . 
 holds . 
 holds . 
 holds, 
 holds, 
 holds. 
 
 Depth. 
 
 3,059 gallons 
 
 1,958 i,rallons 
 
 1,101 srallons 
 
 «>59 gallons 
 
 827 gallons 
 
 705 gallons 
 
 592 gallons 
 
 489 gallons 
 
 39G gallons 
 
 313 gallons 
 
 239 gallons 
 
 20G gallons 
 
 176 gallons 
 
 122 gallons 
 
 99 gallons 
 
 78 gallons 
 
 44 gallons 
 
 30 gallons 
 
 19 gallons 
 
 Surveyor's Measure. 
 
 7.92 inches 1 link, 25 links 1 rod, 4 rods 1 chain, 10 
 square chains or 160 square rods 1 acre, 640 acres 1 
 square mile. 
 
 Strength of Ice of Different Thickness. 
 
 Two inches thick — will support a man. 
 
 Four inches thick — will support a man on horseback. 
 
 Five inches thick — will support an eighty-pound 
 cannon. 
 
 Eight inches thick — will support a battery of artil- 
 lery, with carriages and horses. 
 
 Ten inches thick — will support an army ; an innumer- 
 able multitude. 
 
 Kinds of Seed 
 
 Rapeseed 555 
 
 Sweet almond 47 
 
 Turnipseed 45 
 
 White mustard 37 
 
 Bitter almond 37 
 
 Hempseed 19 
 
 Linseed 17 
 
 Indian corn 7 
 
 Amount of Oil in Seeds. 
 
 Per Cent. Oil Kinds of Seed 
 
 Per Cent Oil 
 
 Oats 
 
 Clover hay . 
 Wheat bran 
 Oat straw . . 
 
 61/2 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 Meadow hay 3V^ 
 
 Wheat straw 3 
 
 Wheat flour 3 
 
 Barley 21/2 
 
Food for Plants. 179 
 
 How to Kill Poison Ivy. 
 
 Spraying with arsenate of soda (one pound to twenty 
 gallons of water) will kill all vegetation. One applica- 
 tion, if the plants are young and tender, will do this. In 
 the middle of the summer, however, they should be cut 
 down tirst, and more than one application given. 
 
 To Find the Number of Plants to the Acre. 
 
 Divide the number of square feet in an acre, which 
 is 43,560 by the multiplied distance the plants are set 
 each way. For instance: Suppose the plants are set 
 two feet apart and the row^s are four feet apart. Four 
 times two are eight; di\i.ding 43,560 by eight w^e have 
 5,445, the number of plants to the acre when set 2 feet by 
 4 feet. If set 5 by 1, there are 8,712 plants to the acre, 
 etc. 
 
 Savings Bank Compound Interest Table. 
 
 Showing the amount of $1.00, from one year to tifteen 
 years, with compound interest added semi-annually, at 
 different rates : 
 
 One year 
 
 Two years .... 
 Three years . . . 
 Four years . . . 
 Five years .... 
 
 Six years 
 
 Seven years . . . 
 Eight years . . . 
 Xine years .... 
 
 Ten years 
 
 Eleven years . . 
 Twelve A-ears . . 
 Thirteen years 
 Fourteen years 
 Fifteen vears . 
 
 Three 
 
 Four 
 
 Five 
 
 ^er Cent. 
 
 Per Cent 
 
 Per Cent 
 
 $1 03 
 
 $1 04 
 
 $1 05 
 
 1 OG 
 
 1 
 
 08 
 
 1 10 
 
 1 09 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 1 15 
 
 1 12 
 
 1 
 
 17 
 
 1 21 
 
 1 16 
 
 1 
 
 21 
 
 1 28 
 
 1 19 
 
 1 
 
 26 
 
 1 34 
 
 1 23 
 
 1 
 
 31 
 
 1 41 
 
 1 26 
 
 1 
 
 37 
 
 1 48 
 
 1 30 
 
 1 
 
 42 
 
 1 55 
 
 1 34 
 
 1 
 
 48 
 
 1 63 
 
 1 38 
 
 1 
 
 54 
 
 1 72 
 
 1 12 
 
 1 
 
 60 
 
 1 80 
 
 1 47 
 
 1 
 
 67 
 
 1 90 
 
 1 51 
 
 1 
 
 73 
 
 1 99 
 
 1 56 
 
 1 
 
 80 
 
 2 09 
 
18U V\)(.)\) i'ui; Plants. 
 
 Results of Saving Small Amounts of Money. 
 
 The following' shows how easy it is to aecuiiiulate a 
 I'ortuiR', i)rovi(led proper steps are taken. The table 
 shows what would l)e the result at the end of fifty years 
 by saving a certain amount each day and putting it at 
 interest at the rate of six per cent. : 
 
 Daily Savings The Result Daily Savings Tlie Resu 
 
 One cent $950 Sixty cents 57,02-i 
 
 Ten cents 9,504 Seventy cents 66,528 
 
 Twenty cents 19,006 Eighty^ cents 76,032 
 
 Thirty cents 28,512 Ninety cents 85,537 
 
 Forty cents 38,015 One dollar 95,041 
 
 Fifty cents 47,520 Five dollars 465,208 
 
 Nearly every person wastes enough in twenty or thirty 
 years, which, if saved and carefully invested, would 
 make a family quite independent; but the principle of 
 small savings has been lost sight of in the general desire 
 to become wealthy. 
 
 Time at Which Money Doubles at Interest. 
 
 Rate Simple Interest - ^('«lup(lUIlJ]IIltl■n•^t 
 
 Two per cent 50 years 35 years, 1 day 
 
 Two and one-halt per ceiit. . 40 years 28 years, 26 days 
 
 Three per cent 33 years, 4 months. 23 years, 164 days 
 
 Tliree and one-halt per cent. . 28 years, 208 days. 20 years, 54 days 
 
 Four per cent 25 years 17 years, 246 days 
 
 Four and one-half per cent . . 22 years, 81 days. . 15 years, 273 days 
 
 Five per cent 20 years 15 years, 75 days 
 
 Six per cent 16 years, 8 months. 11 years, 327 days 
 
 One dollar loaned one hundred years at compound 
 interest at three per cent, would amount to $19.25, at six 
 per cent, to $340.00. 
 
Food for Plants. 181 
 
 Analyses of Commercial Fertilizing Materials. 
 
 Name of Substance 
 
 Phosphoric .Acid 
 
 Avail- 
 able 
 
 Insolu- 
 ble 
 
 Total 
 
 /. Phosphatic Manures — 
 
 Apatite 
 
 Bone-ash 
 
 Bone-black 
 
 Bone-black (dissolved) 
 
 Bone meal 
 
 Bone meal (free from fata) 
 
 Bone meal (from glue factory) . . 
 
 Bone meal (dissolved) 
 
 iS. Carolina rock (gxound) 
 
 S. Carolina rock (floats) 
 
 S. Carolina rock (dissolved) . . . . 
 
 7.47 
 
 4.12 
 6.20 
 1.70 
 2.60 
 
 16.70 
 8.28 
 
 0.30 
 15.22 
 
 1.50 
 
 13.53 
 0.60 
 
 4.07 
 27.43 
 
 //. Potash Manures 
 
 Carnallite 
 
 Cotton-seed hull ashes I 7 . 33 
 
 Kainit I 3.20 
 
 4.82 
 2.00 
 1 93 
 6.31 
 1 25 
 4.75 
 7.25 
 2.75 
 12.00 
 
 Krugite 
 
 Muriate of potash 
 
 Nitrate of potash 
 
 Spent tan-bark ashes 
 
 Sulph. potash (high grade) . . . . 
 Sulph. potash and magnesia . . . 
 
 Sylvinite 
 
 Waste from gunpowder works . 
 
 Wood-ashes (unleached) 
 
 Wood-ashes (leached) 
 
 13.09 
 
 ///. Niirogeyious Manures 
 
 Castor pomace 
 
 Cotton-seed meal 
 
 Dried blood 
 
 Dried fish 
 
 Horn and hoof waste 
 
 Lobster shells 
 
 Meat scrap 
 
 Malt sprouts 
 
 Nitrate of soda 
 
 Nitre-cake 
 
 Oleomargarine refuse 
 
 Sulphate of ammonia 
 
 Tankage 
 
 Tohacco stems 
 
 Wool waste 
 
 71'. Miscellaneous Materials. 
 
 Ashes (anthracite coal) 
 
 Ashes (bituminous coal) 
 
 Ashes (corn-cob) 
 
 Ashes (lime-kiki) 
 
 2.43 
 
 9.98 
 
 6.80 
 
 12.50 
 
 12.75 
 
 10.17 
 
 7.27 
 
 12.09 
 
 7,40 
 
 1.25 
 
 6.00 
 
 8.54 
 
 1.00 
 
 13.20 
 
 10.61 
 
 9.27 
 
 5. 56 
 6.66 
 
 10.52 
 7.25 
 
 13.25 
 4.50 
 
 10.44 
 4.04 
 
 15 . 65 
 2.30 
 
 12.12 
 
 20.50 
 6.82 
 2.29 
 5.64 
 
 15.45 
 
 11.60 
 
 3.60 
 
 36.08 
 35.89 
 28.28 
 17.00 
 23.50 
 20.10 
 29 . 90 
 17.60 
 28.03 
 27.20 
 15.20 
 
 13.68 
 23.80 
 13.54 
 
 8.42 
 52.46 
 45.19 
 
 2.04 
 38.60 
 23.50 
 16.65 
 18.00 
 
 5.50 
 
 1.10 
 
 1.12 
 1.62 
 
 0.45 
 
 2.20 
 
 0.40 
 
 0.35 
 
 5.20 
 
 5.02 
 
 6.23 
 
 6.44 
 1.30 
 
 10| 
 
 0.40! 
 
 23.20 
 
 0.86 
 
 8.50 
 
 1.61 
 
 1.85 
 1 40 
 
 2.16 
 1.45 
 
 1.83 
 3 52 
 2 07 
 1.70 
 
 0.88 
 
 11.25 
 0.60 
 0.29 
 
 0.10 
 0.40 
 
 1.18 
 
Food Foii Plants. 
 
 Analyses of Commercial Fertilizing Materials. Continued. 
 
 Name of Substance 
 
 / V. Miscellaneous Materials — Cont'd 
 
 Ashes (peat and bog) 
 
 Gas lime 
 
 Marls (Maryland) 
 
 Marls (Massachusetts) 
 
 Marls (North Carohna) 
 
 Marls (Virginia) 
 
 Muck (fresh) 
 
 Muck (air-dry) 
 
 Mud (fresh water) 
 
 Mud (from sea-meadows) 
 
 .53 
 
 Peat 
 
 Pine straw 
 
 needles) 
 
 Shells (mollusks) 
 
 Shells (crust acea) 
 
 Shell lime (oyster shell) . 
 
 Soot 
 
 Spsnt tan 
 
 Spent sumach 
 
 Sugar-house scum 
 
 Turf 
 
 (dead leaves or pine 
 
 5.20 
 
 4.40] 
 
 1.7:i 
 
 18. IS' 
 
 1.50 
 
 15.98 
 
 76.20 
 
 21.40 
 
 40.37 
 
 53.50 
 
 61.50 
 
 7.80 
 
 0.30 
 
 19.50 
 5.54 
 14.00 
 30.80 
 50.20 
 19.29 
 
 0.70 
 
 1.25 
 
 0.04 
 0.49 
 
 0.30 
 1.30 
 1.37 
 0.20 
 0.75 
 
 0.30 
 0.10 
 6.20 
 
 0.20 
 1.00 
 2.10 
 1 94 
 
 0.22 
 0.20 
 
 Phosphoric Acid 
 
 Avail- 
 able 
 
 Insolu- 
 ble 
 
 0.10 
 0.04 
 0.20 
 0.0-1 
 1.83 
 0.10 
 0.30 
 
 Total 
 
 0.50 
 
 0.38 
 1.05 
 0.56 
 09 
 
 26 
 10 
 
 20 
 03 
 2.30 
 0.20 
 
 0.04 
 0.10 
 
 Analyses of Farm Manures. 
 
 Taken Chiefly from Eeports of the New York, 
 
 Massachusetts and Connecticut Experiment Stations. 
 
 Name of Substance 
 
 Cattle (solid fresh excrement) 
 
 Cattle (fresh urine) 
 
 Hen manure (fresh) 
 
 Horse (solid fresh excrement) . 
 
 Horse (fre.sh urine) 
 
 Human excrement (solid) . . . . 
 
 Human urine 
 
 Poudrette (night soil) 
 
 Sheep (solid fresh excrement) . 
 
 Sheep (fresh urine) 
 
 Stable manure (mixed) 
 
 Swine (solid fresh excrement) 
 Swine (fresh urine) 
 
 Moisture 
 
 77.20 
 95.90 
 
 73 27 
 
 Nitrogen 
 
 0.29 
 0.58 
 1.63 
 0.44 
 1.55 
 1.00 
 0.60 
 0.80 
 0.55 
 1.95 
 50 
 0.60 
 43 
 
 Potash 
 
 0.10 
 0.49 
 0.85 
 0.3.5 
 1.50 
 0.25 
 0.20 
 0..30 
 0.15 
 2.26 
 0.60 
 0.13 
 0.83 
 
 Phos- 
 phoric 
 acid 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 54 
 
 17 
 
 1 09 
 0.17 
 1.40 
 31 
 01 
 30 
 0.41 
 07 
 
Food foe PLA^:TS. 
 
 183 
 
 Analyses of Fertilizing Materials in Farm Products. 
 Ax-AiYSES OF Hay and Dry Coarse Fodders. 
 
 Name of Substance 
 
 //. Hay and Dry Coarse Fodders 
 
 Blue melilot 
 
 Buttercups 
 
 Carrot tops (dry) 
 
 Clover (alsike) 
 
 Clover (Bokhara ~l 
 
 Clover (mammoth red) 
 
 Clover (medium red) 
 
 Clover (white) 
 
 Corn fodder 
 
 Corn stover 
 
 Cow-pe^ vines 
 
 Daisy (white) 
 
 Daisy (ox-eye) 
 
 Hungarian grass 
 
 Italian rye-grass 
 
 June grass 
 
 Lucern (alfalfa) 
 
 ^Meadow fescue 
 
 Meadow foxtail 
 
 Mixed grasses 
 
 Orchard grass 
 
 Pereimial rye-grass 
 
 Red-top 
 
 Rowen 
 
 Salt hay 
 
 Serradella 
 
 Soja bean 
 
 Tall meadow oat 
 
 Timothy hay 
 
 Vetch and oats 
 
 Yellow trefoil 
 
 ///. Green Fodders 
 
 Buckwheat 
 
 Clover (red) 
 
 Clover (white) 
 
 Corn fodder 
 
 Corn fodder (ensilage) 
 
 Cow-pea v'nss 
 
 Horse bean 
 
 Lucern (alfalfa) 
 
 Meadow grass (in flower) . 
 
 MiUet 
 
 Oats (green) 
 
 Peas 
 
 Prickly comfrey 
 
 Rye grass 
 
 Serrad.41a 
 
 Sorghum 
 
 Spanish moss 
 
 ^'etch and oats 
 
 White lupin 
 
 Young grass 
 
 Moisture 
 
 8.22 
 
 9.76 
 
 9.93 
 
 6.36 
 
 11.41 
 
 10.72 
 
 28 24 
 9.00 
 9.65 
 
 7 1.5 
 8.29 
 
 6.26 
 9.79 
 
 11.26 
 8.84 
 9.13 
 7.71 
 
 12.48 
 5.36 
 7.39 
 6.30 
 
 7.. 52 
 11.98 
 
 82.60 
 80.00 
 81.00 
 72.64 
 71.60 
 78.81 
 74.71 
 75 30 
 70.00 
 62.58 
 83.36 
 81.50 
 
 Nitrogen 
 
 70 00 
 82.59 
 
 60.80 
 86.11 
 85.35 
 80.00 
 
 1.92 
 1.02 
 3.13 
 2.33 
 1.77 
 2.23 
 2.09 
 2.75 
 1.80 
 1 12 
 1 64 
 0.28 
 0.80 
 1 16 
 1.15 
 1.05 
 2.07 
 0.94 
 1 54 
 1.37 
 1.31 
 1 . 23 
 1.15 
 1.75 
 1.18 
 2.70 
 2.32 
 1.16 
 1.26 
 1.37 
 2.14 
 
 0.51 
 0.53 
 0.56 
 0.56 
 0.36 
 0.27 
 0.68 
 0.72 
 0.44 
 0.61 
 0.49 
 0.50 
 0.42 
 0.57 
 0.41 
 0.40 
 0.28 
 0.24 
 0.44 
 0.50 
 
 Potas h 
 
 2.80 
 0.81 
 4.88 
 2.01 
 1.67 
 1.22 
 2.20 
 1.81 
 0.76 
 1.32 
 0.91 
 1.25 
 2.23 
 1.28 
 0.99 
 1.46 
 1.46 
 2.01 
 2.19 
 1.54 
 1.88 
 1.55 
 1.02 
 1.97 
 0.72 
 0.65 
 1.08 
 1.72 
 1.53 
 0.90 
 0.98 
 
 0.43 
 0.46 
 0.24 
 0.62 
 0.33 
 0.31 
 1.37 
 0.45 
 0.60 
 0.41 
 0.38 
 0.56 
 0.75 
 0.53 
 0.42 
 0.32 
 0.26 
 0.79 
 1.73 
 1 16 
 
 Phos- 
 phoric 
 acid 
 
 0.54 
 0.41 
 0.61 
 0.70 
 0.44 
 0.55 
 0.44 
 0.52 
 0.51 
 0.30 
 0.53 
 0.44 
 0.27 
 0.35 
 0.55 
 0.37 
 0.53 
 0.34 
 0.44 
 0.35 
 0.41 
 0.56 
 0.36 
 0.46 
 0.25 
 0.78 
 0.67 
 0.32 
 0.46 
 0.53 
 0.43 
 
 0.11 
 0.13 
 0.20 
 0.28 
 0.14 
 0.98 
 0.33 
 0.15 
 0.15 
 0.19 
 0.13 
 0.18 
 0.11 
 0.17 
 0.14 
 0.08 
 0.30 
 6.09 
 0.35 
 0.22 
 
184 Food for Pi.ants. 
 
 Analyses of Fertilizing Materials in Farm Products. Cont'd 
 
 Name of Substance 
 
 / V. Straw, Chaff, Leaves, etc. 
 
 Barley chaff 
 
 Barley straw 
 
 Bean shells 
 
 Beech leaves (autumn) 
 
 Buckwheat straw 
 
 Cabbage leaves (air-dried) 
 
 Cabbage stalks (air-dried) 
 
 Carrots (stalks and leaves) 
 
 Corn cobs 
 
 Corn hulls 
 
 Hops 
 
 Oak leaves 
 
 Oat chaff 
 
 Oat straw 
 
 Pea shells 
 
 Pea straw (cut in bloom) 
 
 Pea straw (ripe) 
 
 Potato stalks and leaves 
 
 Rye straw 
 
 Sugar-beet stalks and leaves 
 
 Turnip stalks and leaves 
 
 Wheat chaff (spring) 
 
 Wheat chaff (winter) 
 
 Wheat straw (spring) 
 
 Wheat straw (winter) 
 
 V. Roots, Tubers, etc. 
 
 Beets (red) 
 
 Beets (sugar) 
 
 Beets (yellow fodder) 
 
 Carrots 
 
 Mangolds 
 
 Potatoes 
 
 Ruta bagas 
 
 Turnips 
 
 VI. Grains and Seeds 
 
 Barley 
 
 Beans 
 
 Buckwheat 
 
 Corn kernels 
 
 Corn kernels and cobs (cob meal) . 
 
 Hemp seed 
 
 Linseed 
 
 Lupines 
 
 Millet 
 
 Oats 
 
 Peas 
 
 Rye 
 
 Soja beans 
 
 Sorghum 
 
 Wheat (spring) 
 
 Wheat (winter) 
 
 Moisture 
 
 1 3. OS 
 13 25 
 18.50 
 15 00 
 16.00 
 14.60 
 16.80 
 80.80 
 12.09 
 11.50 
 11.07 
 15.00 
 14.30 
 28.70 
 .16.65 
 
 77.00 
 15.40 
 92.65 
 89.80 
 14.80 
 10.56 
 15.00 
 10.36 
 
 87.73 
 84.65 
 90.60 
 90.02 
 
 87.29 
 79.75 
 87.82 
 87.20 
 
 15.42 
 
 14.10 
 10. S8 
 10.00 
 12.20 
 11.80 
 13.80 
 13.00 
 20.80 
 19.10 
 14.90 
 18.83 
 14 00 
 14.75 
 15.40 
 
 Nitrogen 
 
 1.01 
 0.72 
 1.4S 
 0.80 
 1.30 
 0.24 
 0.18 
 0.51 
 0.50 
 0.23 
 2.53 
 0.80 
 64 
 0.29 
 1.36 
 2.29 
 1.04 
 0.49 
 0.24 
 0.35 
 0.30 
 0.91 
 1.01 
 54 
 0.82 
 
 0.24 
 0.25 
 0.19 
 0.14 
 0.19 
 0.21 
 0.21 
 0.22 
 
 2.06 
 4 10 
 1.44 
 1.82 
 1.46 
 2.62 
 3.20 
 5.52 
 2.40 
 1.75 
 4.26 
 1.76 
 5.30 
 1.48 
 2.36 
 2.83 
 
 Potash 
 
 99 
 1.16 
 1.38 
 0.30 
 
 2 41 
 1.71 
 
 3 49 
 37 
 0.60 
 
 24 
 
 1 99 
 15 
 1.04 
 
 88 
 1.38 
 
 2 32 
 
 1 01 
 07 
 0.76 
 0.16 
 0.24 
 42 
 14 
 0.44 
 0.32 
 
 0.44 
 0.29 
 0.46 
 54 
 0.38 
 0.29 
 0.50 
 0.41 
 
 73 
 1.20 
 21 
 
 40 
 0.4-1 
 0.97 
 
 1 04 
 1.14 
 0.47 
 0.41 
 1.23 
 0.54 
 1.99 
 0.42 
 61 
 0.50 
 
 Phos- 
 phoric 
 acid 
 
 27 
 15 
 0.55 
 0.24 
 0.61 
 75 
 1.06 
 0.21 
 0.06 
 02 
 1.75 
 34 
 0.20 
 11 
 55 
 0.68 
 
 o.a5 
 
 0.06 
 0.19 
 0.07 
 0.13 
 0.25 
 0.19 
 0.18 
 0.11 
 
 09 
 08 
 0.09 
 0.10 
 0.09 
 0.07 
 0.13 
 0.12 
 
 0.95 
 1.16 
 0.44 
 0.70 
 0.60 
 1.75 
 1.30 
 0.87 
 0.91 
 0.48 
 1.26 
 0.82 
 1.87 
 0.81 
 0.89 
 068 
 
Food for Plants. 185 
 
 Analyses of Fertilizing Materials in Farm Products. Cont'd 
 
 Name of Substance 
 
 Moisture 
 
 Nitrogen 
 
 Potash 
 
 Phos- 
 phoric 
 acid 
 
 VII. Flour and Meal 
 
 Corn meal 
 
 Ground barley 
 
 Hominy feed 
 
 Pea meal 
 
 Eye flour 
 
 Wheat flour 
 
 VIII. By-products and Refuse 
 
 Apple pomace . 
 
 Cotton hulls — 
 
 Cotton-seed meal 
 
 Glucose refuse 
 
 Gluten meal 
 
 Hop refuse 
 
 Linseed cake (new process) 
 
 Linseed cake (old process) 
 
 Malt sprouts 
 
 Oat bran 
 
 Rye middlings 
 
 Spent brewers' grains (dry) 
 
 Spent brewers' grains (wet) 
 
 Wheat bran 
 
 Wheat middlings 
 
 IX. Dairy Products 
 
 Milk 
 
 Cream 
 
 Skim-milk 
 
 Butter 
 
 Butter-milk 
 
 Cheese (from unskimmed milk) . . , 
 Cheese (from half -skimmed milk) . 
 Cheese (from skimmed milk) 
 
 X. Flesh of Farm A uimals 
 
 Beef 
 
 Calf (whole animal) 
 
 Ox 
 
 Pig 
 
 Sheep 
 
 XI. 
 
 Asparagus. . . 
 
 Cabbage 
 
 Cucumbers . . . 
 
 Lettuce 
 
 Onions 
 
 Garden Products 
 
 13.52 
 
 13.43 
 
 8.93 
 
 8.85 
 
 14.20 
 
 9.83 
 
 80.50 
 10.63 
 
 8.10 
 8.53 
 8.98 
 6.12 
 7.79 
 
 10.28 
 8.19 
 
 12. 54 
 6.98 
 
 75.01 
 
 11.01 
 9 18 
 
 87.20 
 68.80 
 90.20 
 13.60 
 90.10 
 38.00 
 39.80 
 46.00 
 
 77.00 
 66 20 
 59.70 
 52.80 
 59.10 
 
 2.05 
 1 .55 
 1.63 
 3.08 
 1.68 
 2.21 
 
 23 
 0.75 
 6 52 
 2.62 
 5.43 
 98 
 
 5 40 
 
 6 02 
 3.67 
 2,25 
 1.84 
 3.05 
 0.89 
 2.88 
 2.63 
 
 0.58 
 0.58 
 0.58 
 12 
 64 
 4.05 
 4.75 
 5 45 
 
 3.60 
 2.50 
 2.66 
 2.00 
 2.24 
 
 0.32 
 0.30 
 0.16 
 0.20 
 27 
 
 0.44 
 0.34 
 0.49 
 0.99 
 0.65 
 0.54 
 
 13 
 1.08 
 1.89 
 0.15 
 0.05 
 0.11 
 1.16 
 
 1 16 
 1.60 
 0.66 
 0.81 
 1.55 
 0.05 
 1.62 
 0.63 
 
 0.17 
 0.09 
 0.19 
 
 0.09 
 0.29 
 0.29 
 0.20 
 
 0.52 
 24 
 0.17 
 0.90 
 0.15 
 
 0.12 
 0.43 
 0.24 
 0.25 
 0.25 
 
 0.71 
 66 
 0.98 
 0.82 
 85 
 0.57 
 
 0.02 
 0.18 
 2.78 
 0.29 
 0.43 
 
 20 
 1.42 
 
 1 65 
 1 40 
 1.11 
 1.26 
 1.26 
 31 
 2.87 
 0.95 
 
 0.30 
 0.15 
 34 
 
 0.15 
 0.80 
 0.80 
 0.80 
 
 0.43 
 1.38 
 1.86 
 0.44 
 1.23 
 
 09 
 0.11 
 0.12 
 11 
 13 
 
1>T) 
 
 Food for Pt.axts. 
 
 Table Showing- the Number of Pounds of Nitrogen, Phosphoric 
 
 Acid, and Potash Withdrawn Per Acre by an 
 
 Average Crop. 
 
 (From New York, Xkw Jersey axd Coxnecticut 
 ExPERaMEXT Statioxs' Reports.) 
 
 Name of Crop 
 
 Nitrogen 
 
 Phosphoric 
 Acid 
 
 Potash 
 
 Barley 
 
 Buckwheat 
 
 Cabbage (white) 
 
 Caviliflower 
 
 Cattle turnips 
 
 Carrots 
 
 Clover, grecMi (trifolium pratense) . . . . 
 
 Clover (trifolium pratense) 
 
 Clover, scarlet (trifolium incarnatum) . 
 
 Clover (trifolium repens) 
 
 Cow pea 
 
 Corn 
 
 Corn fodder (green) 
 
 Cotton 
 
 Cucumbers 
 
 Esparsette 
 
 Hops 
 
 Hemp 
 
 Lettuce 
 
 Lucern • 
 
 Lupine, green (for fodder) 
 
 Lupine, yellow (lupinus luteus) . . 
 
 Meadow hay 
 
 Oats 
 
 Onions 
 
 Peas (pisuni sativum) 
 
 Poppy 
 
 Potatoes 
 
 Rape 
 
 Rice 
 
 Rye 
 
 Seradella 
 
 Soja bean 
 
 Sugar cane 
 
 Sorghum (sorghum saccharatum) . 
 
 Sugar beet (beet -root) 
 
 Tobacco 
 
 Vetch (visia sativa) 
 
 Wheat 
 
 41 
 
 289 
 219 
 
 SO 
 16() 
 
 89 
 
 96 
 153 
 
 87 
 119 
 154 
 
 39 
 
 87 
 128 
 297 
 518 
 446 
 
 95 
 127 
 149 
 111 
 
 35 
 
 40 
 
 125 
 
 76 
 74 
 65 
 46 
 18 
 17 
 29 
 64 
 69 
 66 
 32 
 94 
 36 
 54 
 34 
 17 
 65 
 46 
 37 
 53 
 35 
 49 
 39 
 30 
 55 
 79 
 24 
 44 
 57 
 62 
 37 
 90 
 44 
 32 
 35 
 45 
 
 62 
 
 17 
 
 514 
 
 265 
 
 426 
 
 190 
 
 154 
 
 29 
 
 57 
 
 58 
 
 169 
 
 174 
 
 236 
 
 35 
 
 193 
 
 103 
 
 127 
 
 54 
 
 72 
 
 181 
 
 63 
 
 155 
 
 201 
 
 96 
 
 96 
 
 69 
 
 87 
 
 192 
 
 124 
 
 45 
 
 76 
 
 196 
 
 87 
 
 107 
 
 561 
 
 200 
 
 148 
 
 113 
 
 58 
 
Food for Plants. 
 
 187 
 
 Fertilizer Experiments on Meadow Land. 
 
 (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station 
 Bulletin, Xo. 23, February, 1890.) 
 
 On lo^v and decidedly ^vet land : 
 
 English Blue Grass. 
 
 Yield of 
 
 Amount Hay in 
 
 Per Acre Pounds 
 
 Fertilizers used per Acre in Pounds Per Acre 
 
 Sulphate of potash 160 3,000 
 
 Muriate of potash 160 2,950 
 
 Xitrate of Soda 160 3,100 
 
 Sulphate of ammonia 130 3,600 
 
 Xo fertilizer • • • 2,850 
 
 Stable manure 20 loads 2,970 
 
 Tobacco stems 4,000 4,700 
 
 Fertilizer Experiments on Meadow Land. 
 
 Ti moth II 
 
 Yield of 
 Amount Hay in 
 
 Per Acre Pounds 
 
 Kind of Fertilizer Used >n Pounds Per Acre 
 
 Sulphate of potash 160 1,900 
 
 Muriate of potash 160 2,320 
 
 Xitrate of Soda 160 2,670 
 
 Sulphate of ammonia 130 2,520 
 
 Xo fertilizer • • • 1'620 
 
 Stable manure -0 loads 2,200 
 
 Tobacco stems 4,000 3,350 
 
 Time Required for the Complete Exhaustion of Available Fer- 
 tilizing Materials and the Amounts of Each Remaining 
 in the Soil During a Period of Seven Years. 
 
 (From Scottish Estimates.) 
 0)1 U II cultivated Clay Loam. 
 
 Exhausted Per cent, remaining in soil unexhausted 
 Kind of Fertilizer Used (in years) at the end of each year 
 
 12 3 4 S ^ 7 
 
 Lime 12 80 65 55 45 35 25 20 
 
 BonemeaV:..: 5 60 30 20 10 00 00 00 
 
 Phosphatic guanos 5 50 .30 20 10 00 00 00 
 
 Dissolved bones and plain 
 
 superphosphates 4 20 10 5 00 00 00 00 
 
 Hii^h o-rade ammoniated fer- 
 
 tllizers, o-uano, etc 3 30 20 00 00 00 00 00 
 
 Cotton-seed meal 5 40 30 20 10 00 00 
 
 Barnvard manure 5 60 30 20 10 m on 00 
 
}F'S 
 
 VooT) FOR Plants. 
 
 Ov Uvcnltivated lJ(/hl or Medium Soils. 
 
 Exhaiistod Per cent, rpmaining in soil une\haustrd 
 Kinil i)f F Ttilizor Used (in year.-") at the end of each year 
 
 T 2 3 4 s 6 7 
 
 Lime 10 75 (iO 40 30 20 15 .. 
 
 Moiic inciil 4 ()0 ;5(> ]() 00 00 00 .. 
 
 Phosphatic ^wnno 4 50 '10 10 00 (in (Hi .. 
 
 Dissolved bonos and jdaiii 
 
 superphosphates 3 20 10 5 00 00 00 00 
 
 High grade ainmoiiiates, 
 
 guanos 3 ;!0 'Jd (10 od (hi (mi (mi 
 
 Cotton-seed meal 4 40 'M) 20 10 (HI (H) 00 
 
 Barnyard manure 4 60 30 10 00 00 00 00 
 
 On I'vcidlivdlrd Pasture Land. 
 
 Per cent, remaining in the soil unexhausted 
 Kind of Fertilizer Used at the end of each year 
 
 12 3 4 5 '^ r 
 
 Lime 15 80 70 60 50 45 40 35 
 
 Bone meal 7 60 50 40 30 20 10 00 
 
 Phosphatie guano (i 50 40 30 20 10 00 80 
 
 Dissolved bone, ete 4 30 20 10 00 00 00 0€ 
 
 JI i g h g r a d e ammoniatod 
 
 guanos 4 'M) 20 1 00 00 00 00 
 
 Cotton-seed meal 5 40 .30 20 10 00 00 00 
 
 Barnyard manure 7 GO 50 40 30 20 10 00 
 
 The figures given above are used in fixing the rental 
 for new tenants. In this country no such careful esti- 
 mates have heen made. 
 
 Amounts of Nitrogen, Phosphoric Acid, and Potash Found 
 
 Profitable for Different Crops Under Average 
 
 Conditions Per Acre. 
 
 {Taken Chiefly from Neic Jersey Experiment Stations Reports.) 
 
 Phosphoric 
 
 Nitrogen, Acid Potash 
 
 Pounds Pounds Pound.? 
 
 Wheat, rye, oats, corn 16 40 30 
 
 Potatoes and root cro])s 20 25 40 
 
 Clover, beans, ])eas and other leguminous 
 
 crops . . 40 (!0 
 
 Fruit trees and small fruits 25 40 75 
 
 General garden produce 30 40 (iO 
 
 Rotation in Crops. 
 
 In the changed conditions of agriculture elaborate 
 
 systems of crop rotation are no longer necessary. With 
 
 the help of chemical manures and the judicious us'e of 
 
 renovating crops farmers are no longer subject to rigid 
 
Food for Plants. 189 
 
 rule, but may adapt rotations to the varying demands 
 of local market conditions. 
 
 Some American Rotations. 
 
 1. Potatoes. 1. Potatoes. 
 
 2. Wheat. 2. Wheat. 
 
 3. Clover. 3. Grass, timothy and clover. 
 
 4. Clover. 4. Grass, timothy and clover. 
 
 5. Wheat, oats or rye. 5. Corn. 
 
 1. Boots. 1. Koots. 
 
 2. Wheat. 2. Wheat. 
 
 3. Clover. 3. Clover. 
 
 4. Clover. 4. Clover. 
 
 5. Corn, oats or rye. 5. Wheat. 
 
 6. Oats. 
 
190 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
 FERTILIZERS. 
 
 After the original Chart arranged by Director J. L. Hills, of the 
 
 Vermont Experiment Station, for the U. S. Government 
 
 Fertilizer Exhibit at the St. Louis Exposition. 
 
 Average cost of a pound of plant food in "low," 
 "medium" and "high" grade "complete fertilizers" 
 (Vermont, 1903.) 
 
 The Nitrogen Cost per lb. 
 
 !(gil^o'6ini flow |(Pi]d](i= 
 
 $102 a Ton for 
 Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 =$80 a Ton for 
 Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 $71 a Ton for 
 Nitrate of Soda. 
 
 The Nitrogen in Nitrate of Soda, in 1903, cost 15 cents per lb. 
 The Available Phosphoric Acid Cost per lb. 
 
 n low grade. 
 
 ■ in medium grade. 
 
 in high grade. 
 
 The Phosphoric Acid in Acid [Phosphate, in 1903, cost 4 '2 cents 
 per lb. 
 
 The! (Actual Potash Cost per lb. 
 in low grade, 
 in medium grade. 
 
 in high grade. 
 
 The Actual Potash in Sulphate of Potash, in 1903, cost 5 cents 
 per lb. 
 
Food for Plants. 191 
 
 Table of Quantities Required Per Acre 
 
 Sow (if alone) 
 per Acre _j 
 
 Agrostis stoloiiifera — See Creeping Bent '-! busliels 
 
 Agrostis canina — See R. 1. Beut >^ busliels 
 
 Agrostis vulgaris — See Red Top ^ bushels 
 
 Agrostis vulgaris — Fancy -0 lbs. 
 
 Alopecurus pratensis — See Meadow Foxtail 3 to 4 bushels 
 
 Arrhenatherum avenaceum — See Tail Meadow Oat Grass 4 to 5 bushels 
 
 Avena elatior — See Tall Meadow Oat Grass 3 bushels 
 
 Arrhenatherum avenaceum — See Tall Meadow Oat Grass 4 to 5 busheds 
 
 Awnless Brome Grass l^O to 25 lbs. 
 
 Alsike or Hj-brid Clover 8 lbs. 
 
 Alfalfa Clover 2U to 25 lbs. 
 
 Artichokes « to 10 bushels 
 
 Australian .Salt Busli 2 lbs. 
 
 Barley Broadcast, 2 to 2V2 bushels ; Drilled, 1% to 2 bushels 
 
 Beet Sugar 6 to 8 lbs. 
 
 Bermuda Grass 6 lbs. 
 
 Bronuis inermis — See Awnless Brome tJrass 2U to 25 lbs. 
 
 Bokhara Clover 10 lbs. 
 
 Broom Corn 8 to 10 lbs. 
 
 Buckwheat 1 bushel 
 
 Bean, Field Drilled, 1 bushel 
 
 Canada Blue Grass 3 bushels 
 
 Cynodon dactyloli — Sbe Bermuda Grass. 6 lbs. 
 
 Creeping Bent or Florin 2 bushels 
 
 Crested Dog's Tail IMi bushels 
 
 Cynosurus cristatus — See Crested Dog's Tail IV2 bushels 
 
 Cow Grass — See Mammoth Red Clover 10 to 12 lbs. 
 
 Crimson or Carnation — See ScarlK Clover 14 lbs. 
 
 Corn, Dent and Flint 8 to 10 qts. 
 
 Corn, Fodder Broadcast. 2 bushels ; Drilled, 1 bushel 
 
 Corn. Pop to 8 qts. 
 
 Carrots 4 lbs. 
 
 Cotton 15 lbs. 
 
 Dactylis glomerata — See Orchard Grass 3 bushels 
 
 Douras 8 to 10 lbs. 
 
 English Blue Grass — See Meadow Fescue ^Vz bushels 
 
 English or Perennial Rye Grass 21/2 to 3 bushels 
 
 Festuca elatior — See Tall Meadow Fescue 21/2 bushels 
 
 Festuca heterophylla — See Various Leaved Fescue 3 bushels 
 
 Festuca ovina — See Sheep's Fescue 21/2 bushels 
 
 Festuca ovina tenuifolia — See Fine Leaved Sheep's B^escue 3 bushels 
 
 Festuca pratensis — See Meadow Fescue 2V2 bushels 
 
 Festuca rubra — See Red Fescue 21/2 bushels 
 
 Festuca duriuscula — See Hard Fescue 21/2 bushels 
 
 Fine Leaved Sheep's Fescue 3 bushels 
 
 Flax Seed V2 to % bushels 
 
 Piorin — See Creeping Bent 2 bushels 
 
 Grasses, Permanent Pasture Mixtures 3 bushels 
 
 Grasses, Permanent Pasture Clover for above 10 lbs. 
 
 Grasses, Renovating Mixture 1 bushel 
 
 Grasses, Lawn 5 bushels 
 
 Herd's Grass (of the South) — See Red Top 3 bushels 
 
 Herd's Grass (of the North) — See Timothy V2 to 1 bushel 
 
 Hungarian Grass — See Hungarian Millet 1 bushel 
 
 Hard Fescue -V2 bushels 
 
 Italian Rye Grass 3 bushels 
 
 June Grass— See Kentucky Blue 2 to 3 bushels 
 
 .Tune Clover — See Red Clover 10 to 12 lbs. 
 
 •Japan Clover ^- 17 'P^- 
 
 .Johnson Grass 1 bjishel 
 
 Jerusalem Corn -J '"S. 
 
192 Food for Plants. 
 
 Sow^(if alone) 
 per Acre 
 
 Kufflr Com 8 to 10 lbs. 
 
 Keutucky Ulue tirass 3 bushels 
 
 I-iipiiis 1> to 3 bushels 
 
 Liiliuiii italicuin — .See Iluliaii Kye (irass 3 bushela 
 
 Loliuin pcrcuiie — See English Rye Grass 2Vi' to 3 bushels 
 
 Lucerne — - See Alfalfa :.'0 to 25 lbs. 
 
 Lespedeza striata — See Japau Clover 14 lbs. 
 
 Meadow Foxtail 3 to 4 bushels 
 
 MciuldW Feseue 2% bushels 
 
 MiUiiniKth or Pea Vine Clover 10 to 12 lbs. 
 
 Medicago sativa — See Alfalfa 20 lbs. 
 
 Millo -Maize — See Douras 8 to 10 lbs. 
 
 Millet, German and Hungarian 1 bushel 
 
 Millet, Pearl, Egyptian, Cat-Tail or Horse Millet Drills. 5 to 6 lbs; 
 
 Broadcast, 8 lbs. 
 
 Millett, Japanese Drills, 10 lbs. per acre ; Broadcast, 15 lbs. 
 
 Mangels 6 to 8 lbs. 
 
 Melilotus alba — See Bokhara Clover 10 lbs. 
 
 Onobrychis sativa — See Sainfoin 3 to 4 bushels 
 
 Orchard Grass 3 bushels 
 
 Oats 3 bushels 
 
 Parsnip 6 lbs. 
 
 Poa uenioralis — See Wood Meadow Grass 2 bushels 
 
 Poa pratensis — See Kentucky Blue -.2 to 3 bushels 
 
 Poa trivialis — See Rough Stalked Meadow Grass 1% bushels 
 
 Poa arachnifera — See Texas Blue Grass 6 lbs. 
 
 Poa compressa 3 bushels 
 
 Phleum pratense — See Timothy V2 to 1 bushel 
 
 Potatoes 12 to 14 bushels 
 
 Peas, Field 3 bushels 
 
 Peas. Cow 2 bushels 
 
 Pea Vine Clover — See Mammoth Clover 10 to 12 lbs. 
 
 Perennial Red Clover — See Mammoth Clover 10 to> 12 lbs. 
 
 Rape, English 2 to 4 lbs. 
 
 Red Top 3 bushels 
 
 Red Top. Fancy 20 lbs. 
 
 Rhode Island Bent 3 bushels 
 
 Red or Creeping Fescue 2^^ bushels 
 
 Rough Stalked Meadow Grass 1% bushels 
 
 Red Clover (Common or June Clover t 10 to 12 lbs. 
 
 Reaua hixurians — See Teosinte 6 to S lbs. 
 
 Rye 1% bushels 
 
 Ruta Baga 2 to 3 lbs. 
 
 Sorghum Halapense — See Johnson Grass 1 bushel 
 
 Sweet Vernal — true perennial 3% bushels 
 
 Sheep's Fescue 2V4 bushels 
 
 Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass — See Kentucky Blue 2 to 3 bushels 
 
 Sweet Clover — See Bokhara Clover 10 lbs. 
 
 Scarlet Clover 14 lbs. 
 
 Sainfoin 3 to 4 bushels 
 
 Sorghums 8 to 10 lbs. 
 
 Sugar Beet 6 to 8 lbs. 
 
 Sugar Canes 8 to 10 lbs. 
 
 Sunflower 4 qts. 
 
 Swedish Clover • — - See Alsike 8 lbs. 
 
 Soja Bean % bushel 
 
 Tex.is Blue Grass 6 lbs 
 
 Tall McnildW Oat Grass 4 to 5 bushels 
 
 Tall Moadow Fescue 2^ bushels 
 
 Timothy or Herd's Grass of the North i>2 to 1 bushel 
 
 Trifoliuni pratense — See Red Clover 10 to 12 lbs. 
 
 Trif(diiim pratense perenne — See Mammoth Clover 10 to 12 lbs. 
 
 Trifolinm repens — See White Clover 8 lbs. 
 
 Trifolium incarnatum — ■ See Scarlet Clover 14 lbs. 
 
 Trifolinm hvbridum — See Alsike Clover 8 lbs. 
 
 Tf'osinte 6 to 8 lbs. 
 
 Turnips 2 to 3 lbs. 
 
 Turnips, Ruta Baga, Russian or Swedish 2 to 3 U»» 
 
Food foe Plants. 193 
 
 Sow (if alone) 
 per Acre 
 
 Vetoh, Spring (Tares) 2 bushels 
 
 Vetch, Sand or Winter 1 bushel 
 
 Various Leaved Fescue 3 bushels 
 
 Wood Meadow Grass 2 bushels 
 
 White or Dutch Clover 8 lbs. 
 
 Wheat 1% bushels 
 
194 
 
 Food for Plants. 
 
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INDEX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Alabama Cotton Prize Experiments •• • 32 
 
 Alfalfa, Cow Pea and Clover Question 113 
 
 Alfalfa, Grades of 113 
 
 Ammonium Sulfate, Availability of Nitrogen in 149 
 
 Analyses of Commercial Fertilizing Materials 181 
 
 Analyses of Farm Manures 182 
 
 Analyses of Fertilizing Materials in Farm Products 183 
 
 Annual Rainfall in the United States 163 
 
 Appearance of Nitrate of Soda 10 
 
 Asparagus "'^ 
 
 Asparagus, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 63 
 
 Availability of Nitrogen in Ammonium Sulfate 149 
 
 Availability of Nitrogen in Dried Blood 149 
 
 Availability of Nitrogen in Farm Manures 149 
 
 Availability of Nitrogen in Nitrate of Soda 149 
 
 Barbed Wire, Amount Required for Fences 164 
 
 Barometers, Farmers' 170 
 
 Beets 64 
 
 Beets, Table 64 
 
 Boll Weevil, Fighting with Nitrate 38 
 
 Brick Reqiiired to Construct Any Building, Number of 174 
 
 Buckwheat 121 
 
 Builders, Facts for 173 
 
 Burbank, What He Says 128 
 
 Business Laws in Brief 168 
 
 Business Rules for Farmers 167 
 
 Buy Fertilizing Materials, How and Where to 21 
 
 Cabbage 65 
 
 Cabbage, Early 65 
 
 Cabbage, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 69 
 
 California, Oi-ange Groves in 122 
 
 Carrots 69 
 
 Carrots, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 69 
 
 Catch Crops 22 
 
 Cauliflower 65, 67 
 
 Celery 62 
 
 Celery, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 63 
 
 Chemical Composition of Soils 23 
 
 Chemical Fertilizers, Alabama Cotton Prize Experiments 32 
 
 Chemical Fertilizers, How to Use to Advantage 22 
 
 Chemical Fertilizers, Materials Used 7 
 
 11951 
 
1 9C) Index. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Chemical Properties of Nitrate of Soda 10 
 
 Citrus (rrowinjj in California 126 
 
 Citr\is in California, Tnstrurtions for l'sin<j Nitrate on 123 
 
 Clover, Cow Pea and Alfalfa Question 113 
 
 Commoj'cial Fertilizing: ^laterials, Analyses of 181 
 
 Commercial Fertilizers, Materials Used 7 
 
 Comparative Availability of Nitrogen 10 
 
 Complete Fertilizers 15 
 
 Compound Interest Table, Savings Bank 179 
 
 Composition of Soils, Chemical 23 
 
 Corn, Fertilizers for 44 
 
 Com, TIow Deep to Plant 163 
 
 Corn, How to Measure in Cnb 165 
 
 Com, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 53 
 
 Com, Sweet 48, 72 
 
 Cotton and Fibre Plants 31 
 
 Cotton, Fighting Boll Weevil with Nitrate 38 
 
 Cotton, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 39 
 
 Cotton Prize Experiments, Alabama 32 
 
 Cost of Transportation of Fertilizers 161 
 
 Cow Pea, Alfalfa and Clover Question 113 
 
 Cranberi-y Soils, Leaching of Soluble Fertilizer Salts from 82 
 
 Crops on Which Nitrate Should Be Used 18 
 
 Cucumbers 70 
 
 Currants 54 
 
 Deed to a Fann in Many States Includes, What a 175 
 
 Dried Blood, Availability of Nitrogen in 149 
 
 Dressing (xrass Lands 93 
 
 Early Cabbage 65 
 
 Early Lettuce 73 
 
 Early Peas 77 
 
 Early Potatoes 77 
 
 Early Tomatoes 80 
 
 Edible Value of Plant, Special Influence of Nitrate on 28 
 
 Eggs, How to Preserve 172 
 
 Egg Plant 73 
 
 Endive 72 
 
 Exliaustion of Available Fertilizing Materials 187 
 
 Experiments, Indian Corn, New York 48 
 
 Experiments, Maize, New York 48 
 
 Farm, How to Rent a 169 
 
 Farm Manures, Analyses of 182 
 
 Farm Manures, Availability of Nitrogen in 149 
 
 Famiers' Barometers 170 
 
 Farmers, Hints for 177 
 
Index. 197 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Farm Products, Analyses of Fertilizing Materials in 183 
 
 Farmyard Manure, Nitrate Compared with 22 
 
 FaiTQvard Manure, Why Valuable 25 
 
 Fences, Amount of Barbed Wire Required for 164 
 
 Ferns, To Revive 177 
 
 Fertilizers, Quality of 25 
 
 Fertilizing Materials in Farm Products, Analyses of 183 
 
 Fibre Plants, Cotton and 31 
 
 Fighting Boll Weevil with Nitrate 38 
 
 Financial Profit from Use of Nitrate.. 91 
 
 Flowers ^^ 
 
 Flowers, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 60 
 
 Food, Principal Elements 24 
 
 Food, What It Is 24 
 
 Foods for Stock, Relative Value of 176 
 
 Freight Car, Carrying Capacity of a 165 
 
 Functions, Unusual, of Nitrate 26 
 
 Garden Crops, Fertilizers for 18 
 
 Golf Links 57 
 
 Golf Links, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 58 
 
 GoosebeiTies ^^ 
 
 Grain, How It Will Shrink 164 
 
 Grades of Hay and Straw HI 
 
 Grapes ^^ 
 
 Grapes, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 56 
 
 Grass '^^ 
 
 Grass, Alkaline Soil Necessary for 91 
 
 Grass Lands, Dressing 93 
 
 Greenhouse Plant Food 56 
 
 Hay, Effect of Nitrate on Quality of 89 
 
 Hay, Grades of HI 
 
 Hay, How to Measvire in Mow 165 
 
 Hay, Percentage of Water Lost During Storage 95 
 
 Hay, Rhode Island Ofacial Experiment 95 
 
 Ice of Different Thickness, Strength of 178 
 
 Indian Corn, Experiments, New York -48 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Asparagus 63 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Cabbage 69 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Carrots 69 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Celery 63 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Citrus in California 123 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Corn 53 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Cotton 39 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Flowers 60 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Grapes 56 
 
198 Index. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 InslriK'tious i'or Using Nitrate on Meadows, Lawns and (lolf Links 58 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Oats 119 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Onions 76 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Potatoes 79 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Rye I'-^U 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Sugar Beets 65 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Tobacco -44 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Tomatoes HI 
 
 Instructions for Using Nitrate on Wlieat 116 
 
 Interest Table, Savings Bank Compound 179 
 
 Investigations Relative to Use of Nitrogenous Fertili/.ej' Materials. 144 
 
 Late Potatoes 78 
 
 Late Spinach 80 
 
 Lawns 57 
 
 LaAvns, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 58 
 
 Leaching of Soluble Fertilizer Salts from Ci-anbi'n-y Soils 82 
 
 Lettuce, Early 73 
 
 Liming 10 '^ 
 
 Maize, Experiments, New Yoi'k 48 
 
 Manures, Analyses of Farm 182 
 
 Manures, Farm, Availability of Nitrogen in 149 
 
 Manures, Quality of 25 
 
 Market Gardening with Nitrate 62 
 
 Meadow Land, Fertilizer Experiments on 187 
 
 Meadows, Instmctions for Using Nitrate on 58 
 
 Measures, Estimating 172 
 
 Measure, Square 173 
 
 Melons, Musk "4 
 
 Mississippi River, Length of Navigation of the 106 
 
 Modern Agriculture, Position of Nitrate in 12 
 
 Money Crops Feed, How 24 
 
 Money Doubles at Interest, Time at Which 180 
 
 Musk Melons 74 
 
 Natural Plant Food, Sources of 28 
 
 Navigation of the Mississippi River, Lengtli of 166 
 
 Nitrate of Soda, Availability of Nitrogen in 149 
 
 Nitrogen, Amounts Found Profitable 188 
 
 Nitrogen, Number of Pounds Withdrawn by Average Crop 186 
 
 Nitrogen Predigested 25 
 
 Nitrogenous Fertilizer Mateiials, Investigations Relative to Use of 144 
 
 Oats 118 
 
 Oats, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 119 
 
 Oil in Seeds, Amount of 178 
 
 Onions 75 
 
 Onions, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 76 
 
Index. 199 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Orange Groves in California 122 
 
 Oranges, Results at Corona 125 
 
 Peas, Early J^ 
 
 Peppers ^ ' 
 
 Philosophical Facts 1^1 
 
 Phosphates 1^ 
 
 Phosphatic Fertilizers, How to Apply 20 
 
 Phosphoric Acid -^"^ 
 
 Phosphoric Acid, Amounts Found Profitable 1^:58 
 
 Phosphoric Acid, Number of Pounds Withdrawn by Average 
 
 Crop 1J^6 
 
 Plant Food, Special Functions of 26 
 
 Plant Food Withdrawn by Crops 3 41 
 
 Plants in Pots 57 
 
 Plants to the Acre, How to Find Nundjer of 1"9 
 
 Poison Ivy, How to Kill 1^9 
 
 Porto Rico, Sugar Cane in 84 
 
 Potash 24 
 
 Potash, Amounts Found Profitable 188 
 
 Potashes, Sources of 6 
 
 Potash, Number of Pounds Withdrawn by Average Crop 186 
 
 Potatoes, Early ' ' 
 
 Potatoes, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 79 
 
 Potatoes, Late • '8 
 
 Pots, Plants in ^^ 
 
 Predigested Nitrogen 25 
 
 Prices of Farm Products, Relation of, to Nitrate of Soda Prices. . 142 
 Prices of Nitrate of Soda, Relation of, to Prices of Farm Products 142 
 
 Prize Experiments, Alabama Cotton 32 
 
 Quantities of Seed Required Per Acre 191 
 
 Radishes ^** 
 
 Rainfall, Average in the United States 163 
 
 Raspberries "-^^ 
 
 Reference Table for Vegetable Seed Sowers 194 
 
 Refining Nitrate of Soda, Method of H 
 
 Report on Alabama Cotton Experiments 32 
 
 Rent a Farm, How to 1^^ 
 
 Rotation in Crops 1^^ 
 
 Rye 119 
 
 Rye, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 120 
 
 Saving Small Amounts of Money, Results of 180 
 
 Savings Bank Compound Interest Table 1'''9 
 
 Seed, Quantities Required Per Acre 191 
 
 Seeds, Amoimt of Oil in 1^8 
 
 Seed Sowers, Reference Table for Vegetable 194 
 
200 Index. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Seeds Retain Their Vitality, Xuinljer of Yeai-s 1G4 
 
 Silage 47 
 
 Small Fruits 53 
 
 Small Fruits, Fertilizers for 18 
 
 Soiling 47 
 
 Soils, Chemical Composition of 23 
 
 Soluble Fertilizer Salts, Leaching from Cranheiry Soils 82 
 
 Sources of Natural Plant Food 28 
 
 Special Functions of Plant Food 26 
 
 Spinach, Late 8U 
 
 Spraying with Solutions of Nitrate, Winter 129 
 
 Square Measure 173 
 
 Standard, Nitrate as 26 
 
 Staple Crops 31 
 
 Strawberries 54 
 
 Straw, Grades of 112 
 
 Sugar Beets, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 65 
 
 Sugar Cane in Porto Rico 84 
 
 Sunstroke, How to Treat 168 
 
 Surveyor's Measure 178 
 
 Sweet Corn 48, 72 
 
 Table Beets 64 
 
 Time at Which Money Doubles at Interest 180 
 
 Tobacco 42 
 
 Tobacco, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 44 
 
 Tomatoes, Early 80 
 
 Tomatoes, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 81 
 
 Transportation of Fertilizers, Cost of 161 
 
 Unusual Functions of Nitrate 26 
 
 Uses of Nitrate of Soda 12 
 
 Value, Edible Value of Plant 28 
 
 Values, Intrinsic Values of Nitrogen Based on Nitrate as Standard 26 
 
 Various Forms of Nitrogen 19 
 
 Vegetable Seed Sowers, Reference Table for 194 
 
 Vegetables, Fertilizers for 18 
 
 Vitality, Number of Years Seeds Retain Their 164 
 
 Weight of Cubic Foot of Earth, Stone, Metal, Etc 175 
 
 Wheat 114 
 
 Wheat Crops, How Nitrate Increases 22 
 
 Wheat, Instructions for Using Nitrate on 116 
 
 Where Nitrate of Soda Is Found 11 
 
 Winter Spraying with Solutions of Nitrate 129 
 
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