ARTIFICIAL FERTILISERS 219 



chloride, nitrate, phosphate, and sulphate. The carbonate 

 and chloride are known as washing soda and common salt 

 respectively, or simply as " soda " and " salt." The 

 nitrate is known as Chili Saltpetre, to distinguish it from 

 potassium nitrate which is called saltpetre, and the sulphate 

 goes by the name of Glaubers' Salt. This last is similar 

 to Epsom Salt (sulphate of magnesium), and can be used 

 in the same way. The carbonate can be freely scattered 

 over sour soils in the winter, and dug in, but it must be 

 well pounded up first, and not applied in the lumpy state 

 in which it is purchased. It neutralises acidity to some 

 extent but not so well as lime. The chloride is more useful 

 as a soil cleanser than as a fertiliser, and land can be 

 dressed with it at the rate of i oz. per square yard in 

 the spring, but it must be kept away from Hollyhocks. 

 The nitrate can be forked into the soil in the spring 

 or summer at the rate of \-\ oz. per square yard, or 

 applied in solution i oz. in 2 or 3 gallons of water, but 

 it must be kept away from Galegas, Lupins, Sweet Peas, 

 etc. It is inclined to deliquesce, so should be stored in 

 good tins. Lastly, the phosphate can be applied to Sweet 

 Peas or general plants during the growing season at the 

 rate of oz. per gallon of water. 



Basic Slag : This is not a simple fertiliser. It supplies 

 lime and phosphate to the soil, and sometimes contains 

 iron oxide. It is only very slowly soluble in water, so 

 that it is essential that it should be applied in the early 

 autumn to obtain good effects in following summer. It 

 gives better results on a heavy soil, but may also be used 

 on a medium or light soil. About 4 ozs. per square yard 

 can be applied and dug in, and it may be sprinkled on lawns 

 at about the same rate. 



Kainit : This is a double chloride of magnesium and 

 potassium. It must be applied in the early autumn at 

 the rate of 4 ozs. per square yard. Scatter it on the 

 surface of vacant land, and let the rain wash it for a few 

 weeks ; then dig it in. It is more useful on light soils 

 than on heavy ones, but can be used for both. 



