FERTILIZERS AND FERTILIZING 8I 
SALT AS A FERTILIZER 
Salt is but little used now by commercial asparagus 
growers, though it has been recommended for this 
crop from time immemorial. About the principal ad- 
vantage to be derived from its use is that of killing 
weeds without injuring asparagus, although it may be 
applied in sufficient quantities to injure the asparagus. 
The indirect fertilizing value of salt is mainly due to 
the fact that it has the power of changing unavailable 
forms of plant food into available forms; but this 
object may be secured cheaper and better by the use 
of kainit. Insandy soils it may encourage the supply 
of moisture, but on naturally moist and retentive soils 
heavy dressings of salt may do more harm than good. 
Much of the benefits to asparagus for which salt 
gets credit is its use in a small way in the home 
garden, due to the fact that not dry salt, but the brine 
and residue of the pork and corned beef barrels is 
applied to the asparagus beds. This brine is rich in 
animal matter extracted from the meat, and usually 
also in saltpeter, which has been used in pickling. 
The latter substance alone, without the addition of 
salt, exerts a strong fertilizing effect upon the plants. 
After a series of carefully conducted experiments 
by Mr. Charles V. Mapes, he writes: 
‘““Salt was only effectual as a fertilizer in propor- 
tion as the soil contained accumulated supplies of 
plant food, either from previous manurings or from 
natural strength. Asparagus, unlike nearly all other 
crops, will stand almost unlimited quantities of salt 
without injury. It also thrives near the seashore, 
