13. The immediate effect of an application of. Nitrate '^°°^ for 

 of Soda, therefore, is to develop a much larger plant growth, ^^^°*^ 

 and the skillful application of phosphates and potashes ^5 

 must be relied upon to act in combination with this effect, 



to secure the largest yields of fruits and grain. 



14. Under favorable conditions of moisture and culti- 

 vation, these effects may be confidently anticipated upon all 

 kinds of soils. 



15. All of the plant food contained in Nitrate of Soda 

 is available and existing in a highly soluble form. The 

 farmer should understand that it is not economical to apply 

 more of it than can be utilized by the growing crop; one of 

 the most valuable qualities of this fertilizer being that it does 

 not lie dormant in the soil from one season to the next. 



16. The best results are secured when it is applied 

 during the early growing periods of the plant. // applied 

 later in the development of the plant, it has a tendency to 

 protract its growing period and to delay the ripening of the 

 fruit, as the energies of the plant are immediately concen- 

 trated upon developing its growth, after a liberal application 

 of Nitrate of Soda. 



17. The farmer must not expect it to excuse him from 

 applying proper principles of land drainage, or cultivation 

 of the soil, nor should Nitrate of Soda be used in excessive 

 quantities too close to the plants that are fertilized with it. 

 For most agricultural crops, an application of 100 pounds 

 to the acre is sufficient when it is used alone. 



18. It may be applied to either agricultural or garden 

 lands in the form of a solution in water, or by sowing it 

 broadcast upon the land, or by means of any fertilizer- 

 distributing machine in use. If applied in the drv state, 

 in order to insure uniform distribution, a convenient method 

 is to mix it with twice its weight of air-slacked lime, land 

 plaster, phosphates, or even with dry sand, before applying 

 it. It can be applied to the surface, and without cultivation 

 will be absorbed by the soil, or it may be cultivated into the 

 soil by some light agricultural implement, such as a harrow, 

 weeder, cultivator or horse hoe. The capillary movement 

 of the soil waters will distribute it in the soil. 



Accepting the conclusions of these scientific men, the use 

 of Nitrate of Soda in agriculture ought to be increased 

 proportionate to the dissemination of the knowledge of its 



