Nitrogenous Manures 



necessary quantity which would have enabled the 

 crops to take up the available phosphoric acid and 

 potash. 



The practice of giving nitrate of soda (NaNOg) 

 alone is, however, not to be recommended. The 

 action of nitrate is generally very remarkable. It 

 is an excellent manure of which the unit serves as 

 a type for the price of the unit of nitrogen in all 

 manures. Properly used, in soil which it suits, no 

 other nitrogenous manure can equal it. It can be 

 used in any soil, but it is particularly suitable to 

 those only slightly lacking in lime, because the 

 sulphate of ammonia will cause a further loss of lime. 

 It is very good on strong soils ; in light permeable 

 soils it must be given in two applications so as 

 to prevent waste. 



It should not be employed on leguminous crops, 

 but it suits everything else, especially wheat, grass, 

 permanent pastures, mangolds, turnips, carrots and 

 cabbages. On potatoes, however, sulphate of am- 

 monia is to be preferred. On mangolds long prac- 

 tice has shown the advantage of giving the first half 

 of the manure a little while after planting out and 

 the second at the time of cleaning. In vegetable 

 culture it is very valuable and is given at frequent 

 intervals in strong applications. 



Nitrate of soda is often adulterated with common 

 salt, salts of potash and crystalline sand. That is 

 why it must always be bought on the vendor's 

 guarantee. To see if the sacks have been opened 

 cut the string, which should be dirty on the outside 

 and clean on the inside ; moreover the mark of the 

 cord should be clean on the sack. If it is not it has 



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