Nitrate of Soda 



It is very deliquescent, easily absorbing atmo- 

 spheric moisture and very easily dissolving, so that in 

 the vessels which carry it they have frequently to 

 pump the nitrate water out of the holds. The sacks 

 also absorb a considerable quantity of nitrate, often 

 as much a kilogramme (2 lbs. 5 ozs.). These sacks 

 should therefore always be washed and the water 

 distributed on the land. It is imprudent to ac- 

 cumulate any number of empty, damp but un- 

 washed nitrate sacks, because they may cause 

 spontaneous combustion. 



Nitrate should be kept in a dry place. If clods 

 are formed in the mass they must be carefully 

 broken, so that the manure may be spread very 

 regularly. This is a point worthy of mention. 

 All the care possible is not too much to take in the 

 spreading of chemical manures, because, in spite of 

 everything, the fertilising matters will never be so 

 regularly distributed as in carelessly spread farm- 

 yard manure. 



Nitrate is always given as a top dressing. The 

 first light rain is enough to dissolve it and distribute 

 it in the soil. In spring time the heavy rains may 

 wash it away altogether. That is why it must not 

 be given too early. In the summer, however, 

 practically no loss need be feared. It should never 

 be given in the winter, and when applied before 

 wmter it must be used in small quantities only, and 

 early enough for the crops to use it up completely. 

 Unless this rule is observed the unused residue will 

 be entirely lost. 



Do not mix it with superphosphates, because if 

 the latter are very acid there will be a risk of creating 



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