400 



BOARD OF AGlilCULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



( /") In order that the plant use the costly nitrogen to 

 adv^antage, it should be "svell supplied with ])otash and 

 phosphoric acid. 



(g) The foUowmg table shows, in a general way, the 

 amount of nitrogen to be ajiplied per acre, tlie present 

 condition of the land and its previous treatment being 

 considered : — 



(//) Chili salt[)etre yielded an increase of ten per cent 

 over ammonium sulphate when applied to l)arley, wheat, 

 rye and oats. 



(i) The cause of this superiority of the Chili saltpetre 

 over the ammonium sulphate lies in the fact that during the 

 nitrifying process of the sulphate of annnonia ten per cent 

 of its nitrogen escapes. Whether this nitrogen escapes 

 into the air, or whether it is consumed by the nitrifying 

 organism, as Frank believes, is unknown. 



(/) Warm, porous soils, rich in lime, I'axor the most 

 rapid nitrification of annnonia c{)nii)()unds. AN hen the soil 

 is lacking in linu;, sulphate of annnonia works jjoorly as a 

 fertilizer. Its action can be greatly impro\ cd by liming the 

 soil. The lime neutralizes the sulphuric acid set free in the 

 process of nitritication, and thus prevents an acid soil. It 

 is well known that bacteria, as a rule, will not work when 

 free acid is present. 



(A;) Soda, as it is found, for example, in nitrate of soda 

 or in common salt, contrary to previous teaching, can in 



