222 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



cold or too hot, and hence, during certain periods, the plants would 

 not be able to obtain their food that is, it would be impossible for 

 the plant to absorb always its food uniformly, or in such amounts 

 and at such times as would result in -the best development of the 

 plant. In all cases an amount should be applied that would exceed 

 the needed requirement under perfect conditions. 



In the second place, if the quantity found to be necessary for 

 a definite increase of crop, under average conditions, were all applied 

 at once, say in the early spring, a greater opportunity would be 

 offered for losses from leaching than would be the case if the material 

 were given in successive dressings, so that the losses due to the 

 escape of the nitrogen would be minimized; on the other hand, if 

 no losses occurred, the plant might take up more than could be 

 utilized in a normal development, thus defeating the purpose, be- 

 cause resulting in a product of less commercial value. This would 

 apply, of course, only in the case of those crops that are injured 

 by abnormal development in certain directions, as, for example, too 

 large a proportion of straw in cereal grains, too large a root in 

 sugar beets, etc. All these difficulties may be obviated by a frac- 

 tional application, or, in other words, by supplying the nitrogen 

 at the time and in the quantity best adapted for the plant and for the 

 purpose in view in its growth. The results from the use of nitrogen 

 may be also unsatisfactory if nitrogen only of the elements essen- 

 tial is used. The best results from the use of nitrate can come 

 only when there exist in the soil, or are applied with it, sufficient 

 amounts of the mineral elements to enable the plant to obtain a food 

 suited to its needs nitrogen is but one element of plant food. 

 (N. J. A. E. Sta., 157.) 



PREPARATION OP THE SOIL. 



Where there is considerable choice in the location of the garden 

 plot, it is often possible to select land that will require very little 

 special preparation. On the other hand, it may be necessary to 

 take an undesirable soil and bring it into suitable condition, and it 

 is generally surprising to note the change that can be wrought in 

 a single season. 



Plowing. Autumn is the time for plowing hard or stiff clay 

 soils, especially if in a part of the country where freezing takes place, 

 as the action of the frost during the winter will break the soil into 

 fine particles and render it suitable for planting. Sandy loams and 

 soils that contain a large amount of humus may be plowed in the 

 spring, but the work should be done early in order that the soil may 

 settle before planting. In the Southern States, where there is not 

 sufficient frost to mellow the soil, this process must be accomplished 

 by means of frequent cultivations, in order that the air may act upon 

 the soil particles. It is desirable to plow the garden early, at least 

 a few days sooner than for general field crops. 



Sandy soils will bear plowing much earlier than heavy clay 

 soils. The usual test is to squeeze together a handful, and if the 

 soil adheres in a ball it is too wet for working. In the garden 

 greater depth of plowing should be practiced than for ordinary farm 



