1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 51 



nitrate of soda was sufficient for a good crop of asparagus. 

 It seems to me it is worth while for farmers who grow that 

 vegetable to ascertain whether that statement is true, or 

 not. He also recommends it as an excellent fertilizer for 

 celery, used alone. He puts the matter rather strong. He 

 says he tried it with success. It seems to me it would be 

 well for us to test it. 



Mr. Hersey. I would say that I tried an experiment one 

 year on asparagus with nitrogen, and I could not see that it 

 increased the crop at all. I could not see that there was 

 any larger crop that year or that there has been since, Avhere 

 it was put on than where it was not. Of course it might be 

 owing to the condition of my soil. I think that every farmer 

 and every gardener has got to understand his own soil before 

 he can fertilize it to the best advantage. There may be soils 

 where nitrogen would be just the material that was needed, 

 and then there may be other soils where it will do no good 

 at all. I do not think that you can lay down rules by 

 which 3^ou can instruct farmers as to the best thing that they 

 can put on any particular crop. I think that we have got 

 to manage our fjirms practically, by the wisdom which we 

 gain for ourselves. I think that we must keep our eyes 

 open and watch carefully all of the operations on our farms, 

 and learn by our own experiments what is best for us. I do 

 not think that we can settle anything here in regard to the 

 application of any particular fertilizers on any particular soil 

 that we know nothing about. 



The Chairman. I would like to inquire if there is any 

 gentleman present who has had any experience with the 

 application of nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda, or in 

 any form, in the cultivation of asparagus or celery. I will 

 call on volunteers. If there is any gentleman present who 

 has had any experience in that matter, let him stand up and 

 declare himself. Now is a good time. 



Secretary Sessions. I hope no gentleman will be bashful 

 if he has ever had any such experience, because it is an 

 important point. 



Mr. Peterson. Nitrogen is supposed to be productive 

 largely of stalk and leaf, and not so much of seed. In one 

 instance I had a piece of oats which produced a most 



