Plants can take up Nitrogen only in the form of od . for 



Nitrates that is, in combination with alkaline base, 



such as lime or sodium. . 2 77 



The Nitrogen contained in all fertilizers, with the 

 exception of Nitrate of Soda, must first be nitrified 

 that is, converted into Nitrate before the plant can 

 take it up. This nitrification is always attended with 

 greater or less loss of Nitrogen. 



A sufficiency of lime in the soil hastens nitrification, 

 while a scarcity of lime retards it. Nitrate of Soda is 

 the only nitrogenous fertilizer that will do its work 

 perfectly without lime, because it already contains 

 Nitrogen in a form that is capable of absorption by 

 plants. 



Leguminous plants assimilate free Nitrogen from 

 the air through the medium of the micro-organisms 

 inhabiting the nodules found in their roots. Legumi- 

 nous plants, in the early stages of their growth, avail 

 themselves of the Nitrates in the soil. Nitrate of Soda 

 has been very profitably used in the cultivation of 

 Lucern, or "Alfalfa," etc. 



Crops that have suffered from wintering, from 

 insects, etc., can, in most cases, be considerably im- 

 proved by top-dressing with Nitrate of Soda. 



When the soil is very poor in potash, the soda 

 contained in Nitrate of Soda will, to a certain extent, 

 serve as a substitute for potash. It is not, however, a 

 perfect substitute. Poverty in potash can be fully made 

 good only by applying a sufficient quantity of a potash 

 fertilizer. 



Nitrate of Soda is easily soluble, and it distributes 

 itself immediately through the soil. 



i 

 Distribution of Nitrogen in the Grain and Straw of the 



Principal Cereals. 

 NITROGEN PER Two AND ONE-HALF ACRES. 



GRAIN. 



Oats, Barley, Wheat, Rye, 



82.42 Ibs. 86.61 Ibs. 81.10 Ibs. 67.44 Ibs. 



Rape Seed, Peas, Vetches, Broad Beans, 



176.32 Ibs. 117.03 Ibs. 143.92 Ibs. 181.16 Ibs. 



