F Di d f J su g ar beets, potatoes, hops, fodder crops, fiber plants, 



iii 



and tobacco. 



4. It is exceedingly valuable in developing and 

 maintaining meadow grass and pasture lands. 



5. In the early stages of development it produces 

 favorable results upon peas, vetches, lupines, clover, 

 and alfalfa. 



6. It has been applied with much advantage to 

 various kinds of berries, bush fruits, vineyards, orchards 

 and nursery stock, and small fruits generally. 



7. It provides the means in the hands of the 

 farmer, for energizing his crops so that they may better 

 withstand the ravages of drought, or the onslaughts of 

 plant diseases or insect pests, such as boll weevil, and 

 others. 



T _. 8. It may be used as a surface ap- 



plication to the soil, from time to time, 

 as the plants indicate a need of it by their color and 

 growth. 



9. It is immediately available, and under favor- 

 able conditions its effect upon many crops may be 

 noticed within a few days after its application. 



10. It may be used either as a special fertilizer, 

 or as a supplemental fertilizer. 



11. The best results are obtained from its applica- 

 tion when the soil contains ample supplies of available 

 phosphoric acid and potash. It should always be re- 

 membered that it furnishes the one most expensive and 

 necessary element of plant food, namely, Nitrogen, and 

 of the various commercial forms of Nitrogen, Nitrate is 

 the cheapest. 



12. Its uniform action seems to be to energize the 

 capacity of the plant for developing growth. Its action 

 is characterized by imparting to the plant a deep green, 

 healthy appearance, and by also causing it to grow 

 rapidly and to put out numbers of new shoots. 



13. The immediate effect of an application of 

 Nitrate of Soda, therefore, is to develop a much 

 larger plant growth and its skillful application must 

 be relied upon to secure the largest yields of fruits 

 and grain. 



14. Under favorable conditions of moisture and 



