160 Appendix. 



Wood Ashes may be applied any time during fall or winter. They are 

 especially valuable for bushes, small fruits and tree fruits about the garden. 

 Do not apply at base of plants but spread broadcast about the plants. The 

 ashes work into the soil very slowly, so it is very helpful many times to 

 spade them into the ground. 



Land- PI aster when used upon land should be sown broadcast very early 

 in spring or during the winter because it works into the soil very slowly. 

 Good success is obtained in Oregon by using 50 to 100 pounds of plaster per 

 acre. Better results are usually obtained by using plaster upon deep rooted 

 leguminous plants rather than upon shallow rooted non-leguminous plants. 



EFFECT OF FERTILIZER. 



In the use of fertilizing materials, nitrogen tends to stimulate leaf growth. 

 An abundance of nitrogen in the soil is indicated by rank, luxuriant growth 

 and dark green foliage. Too much nitrogen on vines, shrubs and trees cause 

 a too rapid growth of wood. The wood thus formed is rather tender, soft 

 and does not ripen properly and is often injured by tlie winter weather. An 

 excessive use of nitrogen stimulates leaf and wood growth at the expense 

 of fruit. 



Phosphoric pcid and potash have more to do with the development of 

 fruit buds, fruit and seed ; they also produce a more normal development of 

 the parts of the plant, the parts are firmer, the wood ripens better and is 

 more hardy. 



FERTILIZERS FOR DIFFERENT CROPS. 



In the following pages are given approximately, the amount of nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid and potash which it seems advisable to use on various farm 

 crops. Many times, depending upon local conditions, the amounts of plant- 

 food indicated may be profitably diminish or increased. 



The intelligent farmer should always satisfy himself that he can buy and 

 use fertilizers profitably before he invests very largely. 



In the following pages only a few materials are indicated as furnishing 

 plant-food. If other materials can be obtained more cheaply then use them 

 instead. 



ALFALFA. 



Relative proportions available plant- Pounds material for one acre, 



food. Pounds per acre, f 60 to 120 nitrate of soda ; or 



J .50 to lOo sulphate of ammonia : or 



Nitrogen 10 to 20 > 1.50 to .300 fish guano : or 



I 2,000 to 4.000 stable manure. 



C 240 to 480 acid phosphate ; or 



Phosphoric acid 30 to 60-^ 7.5 to 1.5o double superphosphate ; or 



( WO to 000 ground bone. 



I 150 to .300 muriate of potash: or 



Potash 75 to 150.' 1">0 to aoo sulphate of potash: or 



I 000 to 1.20(1 kainite : or 



' 1,500 to 3,000 wood ashes. 



Alfalfa is a leguminous plant and under certain conditions has the power 

 of assimilating atmospheric nitrogen and. m.my times, application of nitrogen 

 may be dispensed with. Land-plaster at the rate of 50 to 100 pounds per 

 acre is usually followed by very beneficial results. This crop requires con- 

 siderable lime and many times this material may be applied profitably not 

 only because it furnishes lime to the plant, but because it destroys the acidity 

 of the soil which is injurious to leguminous plants 



Examine the alfalfa roots : if nodules are growing upon them, then use 

 very little nitrogen ; if no nodules are found, the application of nitrogt^n 



