POTASH POK VEGETABLE CKOPS. 149 



ton of which returns to the soil about ten pounds of 

 potash. This calls for applications of at least from 

 fifteen to twenty tons of such manure per acre for 

 every crop, and for larger ones, where very large 

 yields are obtained or aimed at. In any event, yard 

 manure will be found a most excellent fertilizer for 

 these crops, and one of the best means to maintain 

 the balance of soil fertility. 



The query now comes up, what to do in case that 

 yard manure is not available? Perhaps the grower, 

 following the advice given by even expert gardeners, 

 has used bone flour, or other phosphates, for some 

 time as a substitute for yard manure. He may 

 have been very liberal in his applications, using a 

 ton or more per acre: yet in all this dressing he has 

 not furnished a single pound of the potash so 

 urgently needed, only a large quantity of phos- 

 phoric acid, for which his crop has little use. Con- 

 sequently the crops must soon suffer for the want of 

 potash, and perhaps of nitrogen. 



Having made the correct soil diagnosis again, the 

 proper treatment is easily prescribed. Apply pot- 

 ash and perhaps some quickly available nitrogen. 

 My rations, in such case, would be about as follows, 

 per acre, viz : 



1. 50 to 100 bushels of unleached ashes. 

 200 to 400 pounds of nitrate of soda. 



The phosphoric acid, contained in the ashes, would 

 do no harm, and in some cases may be needed. 



2. 200 to 350 pounds of sulphate or muriate of potash. 

 200 to 400 pounds of nitrate of soda. 



Cotton seed hull ashes, corn cob ashes, composts of 

 tobacco refuse, with other substances, can also be 

 used to good advantage for the purpose of furnish- 

 ing the needed potash. 



