248 EXFEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



was obtained ))y the use of 400 l))s. of nitrate of soda applied in three equal dressings, 

 since the heads in this crop were much firmer and sold for 50 per cent more than the 

 heads grown on the other plats. 



Celery. — The total additional yield of celery due to the use of nitrate of soda was 

 17,810 lbs., or 132 per cent. The value of the crop when the nitrate of soda was used 

 averaged !po78.10 ])er acre, at a cost of but $7 for fertilizers. This was $54.01 gain for 

 each dollar invested in nitrate of soda. The amount of nitrate of soda used was 300 

 and 400 lbs. per acre, respectively. When these amounts Avere given in two equal 

 ai)ijlications the average yield obtained was 14,500 roots, and from three applications 

 14,995 roots, or a gain of 495 roots, worth 131.19, for the third application. The gain 

 from the third a])iilication was consideral)ly larger when the 400 lbs. was used per 

 acre than when the 300 11)S. was used. 



Toiiiatoe.f. — Owing to an unfavorable season there was an imperfect setting of this 

 fruit. The amount of nitrate of soda applied varied from 200 to 300 lbs. The 

 increase in yield obtained from the different plats varied from 3,220 lbs., when the 

 nitrate of soda was applied in two equal applications at the rate of 200 lbs. per acre, 

 to 5,880 lbs., when the same amount of fertilizer was applied in three equal distri- 

 butions. The average gain for all i)lats where the nitrate of soda was used was 

 4,564 lbs., or 62 per cent. There was a gain on the average of 475 ll)s. of fruit when 

 200 lbs. of nitrate of soda was used over the yield obtained when 300 ll)s. was used. 

 The third api)lication tended to produce a larger growth of vine and later maturing 

 fruit, and this materially reduced the yield. 



Turnipfi. — The use of nitrate of soda with turnijis increased the yield, on the aver- 

 age, 5,230 lbs., or 63.3 per cent. There was an increase of 2,960 lbs., or about 20 bbls. 

 per acre, when nitrate of soda was used at the rate of 300 lbs. per acre, over the yield 

 obtained when only 200 lbs. per acre was used. With this crop two dressings, whether 

 of the larger or smaller amount, were much more effective than three dressings. The 

 tiiird dressing seemed to increase growth of toj) rather than root, and thus decreased 

 the yields. The increased value of tlie crop, due to the use of nitrate of soda when 

 300 ]l)s. was used in two ecjual applications, was f38.85 per acre. 



Peppers. — The use of nitrate oi soda considerably increased the yields in every 

 instance with this crop. When 200 lbs. was applied per acre in two equal dressings 

 the increased cash value of the (-rop due to the use of the nitrate was $16.70. When 

 this same amount was a2i}>lie<l in three equal dressings the increased value of the 

 crop was $25.90. When 300 lbs. of nitrate of soda was used in two applications the 

 increased value of the crop was $30.20, and in three applications $29.50. 



f'iweet corn. — Earlier experiments at the station have shown that this crop responds 

 better to applications of nitrogen in ammonia or some organic form than in nitrate of 

 soda. There was a considerable gain, however, in the yield and value of the crop 

 from all the different plats where nitrate of soda was used. The most i^i-ofitable 

 gains were made when 300 lbs. of nitrate of soda was used in three different applica- 

 tions. The gain in the value of the croj) in this instance over the plat where no 

 fertilizer was used was $18.10. 



Conclusions. — The results of the season's work witli nitrate of soda, in the author's 

 opinion, justify the following conclusions: 



"That both the yield and quality of vegetable crops are improved Ijy a liberal sw\>- 

 ply of available nitrogen. That large quantities of nitrogen (300 to 400 lbs. of nitrate 

 of soda pel- acre) are, on the whole, ])referable to smaller quantities. That where 

 large quantities of nitrate of soda are used fractional dressings are likely to result in 

 a greater proportionate use of the nitrogen. Three dressings proveil, on the whole, 

 more profitable than two. When the growth is satisfactory the third dressing may 

 be withheld." 



