180 



AgricuUaral Gazette of i\'.>S'.]r, 



[Mar. 2, 1920. 



The following results have been obtained from experiments with sulphate 

 of ammonia applied at planting : — • 



Results of Tests with Sulphate of Ammonia applied at Planting. 



* M5 mixture -eotisists of 1 cwt. Superphosphate and \ cwt. Sulphate of Ammonia. 



On the North Coast it may be assumed that, owing to the long hot summer, 

 niti-ates are formed in the soil sufficiently rapidly for the crop's requirements, 

 and that when soluble nitrogenous fertilisers are applied they have the effect 

 of inducing a too fast and soft, sappy growth which cannot stand the 

 extreme heat, and which dry weather and fungus diseases more easily affect, 

 to the detriment of the yield. In colder districts such as the Northern 

 Tableland and Tumut, the conditions are decidedly cool in spring, and the 

 young maize p'lants probably find a deficiency of available nitrogen at that 

 time (due to slow nitrification), and soluble nitrogenous fertilisers like 

 .sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda give the crop a quick start, which is 

 reflected in a profitable increase. For this purpose f to | cwt. per acre of 

 these fertilisers is quite sufficient to apply, larger amounts being too costly 

 to apply at the present prices. 



Experiments to determine the value of nitrate of soda as a top dressing or 

 side dressing applied to maize six or eight weeks after planting have been 

 carried out in this State with the following results : — 



Results of Tests with Nitrate of Soda as a top-dressing. 



There tlius appears to be little hope of a profitable increase from the top- 



rJrossing with nitrate of .soda for maize on most soils. 



