80 SECOND THOUSAND QUESTIONS IN AGRICULTURE 



or sprinkling one ounce to one square yard of surface may be used. 

 If used too often, it may kill the plants or cause overgrowth. Watch 

 the plants; their appearance will indicate when to use the pushing 

 fertilizer. 



Nitrate on Citrus Trees. 



When is the best time to apply nitrate of soda on citrus orchards? 

 I hear it would hurt blossoms if applied at that time. 



Nearly all authorities and citrus growers of much experience agree 

 that the best time to apply nitrate of soda is early in the spring. 

 Nitrogen in that form is particularly desirable for application at that 

 time because of its availability. With other forms of nitrogen, such 

 as blood, it is absolutely necessary that the soil be very warm when 

 the application is made in order that best results be obtained, but 

 with nitrate of soda, or nitrate of fime, or sulphate of ammonia, the 

 nitrogen is supposed to be in a form that the plant can immediately 

 take up. I have never heard of any danger of weakening of blossoms 

 by applying in the spring and should think that the tendency would 

 be just the opposite, as anything that would tend to make a strong, 

 vigorous condition should tend toward setting a better crop. C. C. 

 Teague. 



Fertilizing Grape Vines. 



/ intend to use a little commercial fertilizer for my young grape 

 vines 1, 2 and 3 years old. I would put a little near each vine and 

 cover it up several inches deep. How much would you put on each vine 

 to stimulate growth? 



About two pounds of commercial fertilizer per vine is a good 

 amount. It should not be put too close to the trunk. Better if none 

 came nearer than a foot. Whenever the trees, vines or other crops 

 do not come up to expectation fertilization probably will be profit- 

 able. Whenever vegetation flourishes vigorously fertilization is 

 probably not necessary. When in doubt use some, as most are in- 

 clined to overestimate the thrift of their trees. A good mixture is 

 4 per cent nitrogen, about 1 per cent being from nitrate and 3 per 

 cent organic, 2 per cent potash, and 8 per cent phosphoric acid. This 

 combination is a good one for growth. 



When to Apply Fertilizer. 



I have some soluble complete fertiliser over after fertilizing my 

 orchard, and as I intend planting some corn and potatoes next spring, 

 I would like to know when to apply it. 



Apply the fertilizer when preparing the ground for planting in 

 spring. For trees and vines a fall application might be better with 

 most fertilizers and in fact might be well with you if only potash and 

 phosphoric acid were present. With so much soluble nitrogen and 

 the crop you intend to fertilize not planted yet, you can wait. 



