280 Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, N. Y. 



in the larger cities on the Atlantic sea board for six months^previons 

 to March, 1895. 



It should be remembered that ammonia is 82.3 per cent, nitrogen ; 

 that sulphate of potash is 54. per cent, actual potash, and muriate 

 (chloride) of potash 68.5 per cent, actual potash. 



In buying and applying commercial plant food the following 

 brief rules may be adhered to in the majority of cases : 



Chemicals or mixed fertilizers of high grade furnish cheaperjplant 

 food than those of a low grade. 



Wherever a good crop of clover or other leguminous plants^can 

 be grown they will produce nitrogen cheaper than it can be obtained 

 in commercial fertilizers. 



Well-drained upland soils are usually defient in nitrogen but not 

 in phosphoric acid. 



Reclaimed low lands are frequently deficient in phosphoric acid 

 but contain an abundance of nitrogen. 



Muriate of potash should not be applied to sugar beet8,5tobacco 

 or potatoes. 



Fruit trees making a yearly growth of from six^inches to one foot 

 do not need nitrogen but are usually benefited by a moderate^ap- 

 plication of potash and phosphoric acid. 



The greater the leaf surface of a plant the more potash it requires. 



Nitrogen salts should be applied only in such quantities as meet 

 the requirements of the crop, on account of the liability of loss from 

 leaching. 



Nitrates should always be applied on the surface'^to a growing 

 crop. 



