Feeding the Land 203 



plant-cells can absorb them; whence it follows that 

 the more soluble the fertilizer, the greater care 

 necessary in applying it at the proper time, and in 

 quantity precisely measured by the absorptive 

 and feeding powers of the plant. This means, feed 

 the plant most when it is capable of consuming 

 most. The nitrates feed stalk, stem, and leaf, 

 therefore feed them when leaf, stem, and stalk are 

 growing, when foliage cells are most rapidly form- 

 ing. Potash is fruit-food, therefore have it at 

 hand when the fruit is forming. Nitrate of soda 

 would be wasted in late summer, in autumn, or in 

 winter. Nitrates are spring foods, to be applied 

 when the plant is growing rapidly, whether in 

 spring or early summer. But fruit is forming while 

 the plant is growing, so potash must be applied 

 in time to feed the fruit; it must be on hand, in the 

 soil to that end. How long nitrates or potash will 

 remain in the soil awaiting solution depends upon 

 the moisture and temperature of the land. These 

 being low, solution is slow ; if very low, it proceeds 

 not at all. But as potash is more insoluble than 

 the commercial nitrates, it may be applied in 

 winter, or late autumn. All commercial fertilizers 

 are artificial and must be applied timely, evenly, 

 discreetly. They are like stimulants to the human 

 body, to be used with care. Dropped in lumps 

 and masses on the ground, they waste in sun and 

 wind, or remain inert, like rocks piled by the road- 

 side. Brought into raw contact with the roots of 

 the plant, they char, poison, bum, shock the root- 



