314 LUTHER BURBANK 



Nitrogen usually has the most immediate and 

 pronounced effect upon crops when it is applied 

 in fertilizers. Nitrogenous fertilizers always 

 produce quicker results, and when it is desired to 

 get early crops, these are the ones to use, 

 especially in the early part of the season. 



Nitrogen is quite often in the form of am- 

 monia in the fertilizer. Ammonia is very 

 volatile and escapes into the air rapidly if not 

 properly incorporated. A commercial product 

 that has a strong odor indicates that the am- 

 monia is escaping into the air. 



Use a fertilizer when it is absolutely necessary, 

 but make sure first that some cheaper process, 

 such as cultivation, irrigation, drainage, or 

 rotation of crops, will not accomplish the same 

 result. 



The physical condition of the soil in practi- 

 cally every case is more important than the chem- 

 ical condition, that is, it has a more direct effect 

 upon the crops. 



INCREASING CROPS BY ROTATION 



Many flower lovers have been dismayed at 

 having a favorite collection of lilies almost en- 

 tirely destroyed by insects. Such a disappoint- 

 ment can generally be prevented by moving the 

 lily bulbs. 



