Food for always accompanied by 30 pounds of phosphoric acid and 

 70 pounds of actual potash. The quantity to be applied 

 ^ should correspond to about three-fourths of an ounce of 

 ammoniate Nitrogen per square yard of surface; that is, to 

 each square yard of bench, use about 5 ounces of Nitrate 

 of Soda, 3 ounces of acid phosphate and 2 ounces of sul- 

 phate of potash. A mixture of these proportions may be 

 dissolved in water and applied in small portions every few 

 days, taking care, however, to cease applications with those 

 plants it is desired to fully mature, as soon as the desired 

 growth is made. 



Orange Groves. 



Satisfactory results have been obtained in Florida by 

 fertilizing during the cold season. About two months 

 before the period of growth begins, apply for each full 

 grown tree a mixture of 7 pounds of high-grade super- 

 phosphate and 7 pounds of sulphate of potash, by working 

 it in the soil; after which one pound of Nitrate of Soda may 

 be sown on the surface. In order to accomplish this appli- 

 cation economically, it is well to mix the Nitrate with two 

 or three times the quantity of fine, dry soil before applying. 

 The working of the soil must not be so deep or thorough 

 as to start the growth of the tree. An excess of Nitrate 

 is to be avoided, but the amount mentioned is not too much. 

 All other ammoniates on the market must be converted 

 into Nitrate by weathering and the action of the soil bac- 

 teria before they can possibly be available for plant food. 

 Nitrate of Soda is a pre-digested ammoniate, and while 

 there is some danger of loss by leaching, this is easily 

 avoided by the use of small and frequent applications. 

 With sulphate of ammonia the danger is much greater, as 

 it must be converted into Nitrate before it is available as 

 food, and during this comparatively long process may all be 

 lost by rains and leaching. 



Dried blood, cotton-seed meal and all other ammoniates, 

 if used in such quantities as to afford an adequate supply 

 of Nitrate, may cause die-back. No disease results from 

 more than this, but the annual growth of leaves of fruit 

 trees added to the fruit makes a total yearly consumption 

 of the plant food essentials much greater than that of any 

 grain crop. The early decay of orchards as well as failure 



