1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 53 



was made respecting the need of caution. We made an 

 application one year of nitrate of soda, and to our very 

 o^reat detriment. We could see that it did damage as for as 

 it was applied. I suppose we applied too much. I merely 

 mention this to show that those who attempt to use it should 

 use it with very great caution. 



Question. I would like to ask the gentleman the formula 

 which he uses for asparagus, and the time of application? 



Mr. Wheeler. We commenced using the Stockbridge 

 fertilizer especially prepared for asparagus, and used that 

 for one or two years. For the last two years I think we 

 have used the Bay State, manufactured by Tucker & Co. of 

 Boston. We apply it in the spring. I think we have put 

 on at the rate of fifteen or sixteen hundred pounds to the 

 acre. 



Question. How many applications ? 



Mr. Wheeler. Only one application. We like it very 

 much better than we do barnyard manure, because it leaves 

 the ground free from lumps or any impediment to the 

 coming up of the asparagus. We get stouter and better 

 shoots than we do when barnyard manure is applied. 



Mr. Jefts of Ashby. I find that nitrogen in some cases 

 makes a good show, in others no show at all. If there is 

 sufficient nitrogen in the land itself, we cannot expect any 

 result from the use of nitrate of soda. I remember two 

 years ago trying to raise potatoes with nitrate of soda alone. 

 The soil was worn out, and of course I raised no potatoes. 

 That same year I tried potash and phosphoric acid, with 

 the same result. I tried nitrogen and phosphoric acid, with 

 the same result, — no potatoes to speak of. I put the three 

 together, thus getting everything that was wanted by the 

 soil, and then I got a good crop of potatoes. 



Mr. HowLAXD. I will state that one bed of asparagus 

 which I have has had nothing but commercial fertilizers 

 upon it for twelve years, and the crop does not seem to 

 depreciate in size or quality. I find this advantage, to- 

 gether with others which the gentleman spoke of who pre- 

 ceded me, that, besides the absence of lumps and having 

 the soil in much better condition, we have very many less 

 weeds, which is quite an item. The fact that this bed of 



