42 WILSON & TOOMKK FERTILIZES COMPANY 



Phosphoric Acid acts particularly as a catalyzer or 

 digestor of other compounds, and in connection with pot- 

 ash, magnesia and lime acts in the translocation of plant 

 food. Phosphoric acid is especially essential in seed de- 

 velopment and by this action tends to early maturing 

 of fruit. 



Potash and lime give strength to cell walls. Potash 

 is necessary in the formation of starch, sugar, and cel- 

 lulose, the fibrous part of plants, though it is not a 

 constituent of these compounds; and it is potash which 

 gives the tartness so desirable in all fruit to relieve in- 

 sipidity. Potash is needed for the development of flesh 

 on "fleshy" fruits and to give this flesh "good shipping 

 qualities." 



Proportions So long as right proportions are main- 

 tained, the plant will develop properly however much 

 (within reason) plant food it has at hand, but unbal- 

 anced proportions are detrimental. 



Too great a proportion of nitrogen makes the growth 

 soft and flabby and very susceptible to disease. Too 

 little limits all activity, growth of plant, blooming, or 

 development of fruit, and is likely to show especially 

 in small leaves and "off color," either a pale green or a 

 more or less deep tinge of yellow. 



Too great a proportion of phosphoric acid makes the 

 leaves small, profuse bloom, and the fruit mature while 

 yet undersized. Too little shows in the "mottled leaf," 

 scant blooming, and lack of general vigor and develop- 

 ment. 



