174 



Time of applying nitrate of soda to J all- sown oats, 1898. 



80 LBS. NITRATE OF SODA APPLIED 



March 4 (av. 2 plots). 



March 29 



April 27 



No. of 



days 



before 



harvest 



80 

 55 

 26 



YIELD PER ACRE 



Grain Straw 



Bus. 

 35.0 

 ;}4.3 

 18.8 



Lbs. 



1801 

 1901 



878 



In this, as in the preceding experiment, nitrate of soda 

 was more effective when applied in March than when used in 

 the latter part of April. 



Comparing the yields obtained from the application in 

 March with the yield from the last top dressing, which was 

 apparently inettective, we are justified in concluding that both 

 of the earlier applications of nitrate of soda returned a profit. 



An experiment in applying a top dressing of nitrate of 

 soda on spring oats was made in 1896 on reddish loam soil. 

 Red Rust Proof were sown January 27, 1896, all plots receiv- 

 ing equal quanities of a fertilizer containing phosphoric acid 

 and potash, but no nitrogen. Nitrate of soda at the rate of 

 120 lbs. per acre was applied as a top dressing at several 

 dates, namely : 



March 28, when the plants had leaves 3 to 4 inches long ; 



April 28, when the plants were beginning to throw up 

 seed stems ; 



And May 6, when many of the panicles (heads) were show- 

 ing. 



On lot of nitrate of soda was divided, half being applied 

 March 28 and the balance April 28. On all these dates there 

 was sufficient moisture in the soil to dissolve the nitrate of 

 soda. 



The oats were cut May 29. 



