88 



Food for j-j-jg young trees are in full leaf, apply in the same manner 

 Plants ^QQ ^^ ^QQ pounds of Nitrate of Soda to the acre; and, four 

 weeks later, repeat the Nitrate application, using 150 to 

 200 pounds. This will ensure a rapid growth early in the 

 season with ample time for thorough maturing before cold 

 weather. The Nitrate of Soda supplies only Nitrated 

 ammonia, which is immediately available for the uses of the 

 plant. Nursery stock must be constantly watched for 

 evidences of disease, and prompt action taken when such 

 are discovered. 



Melons. 



The remarks following upon the profitable fertilizing of 

 melons, applies also to cucumbers, cantaloupes, squashes 

 and similar crops. All these crops do best on a rather light 

 loam, or if heavier soils must be used the drainage should 

 be of the best. The method of growing these crops is too 

 well known to require mention here. They should generally 

 follow a clean culture crop, such as corn, as most of these 

 plants cover the ground between rows so quickly that 

 cultivation is limited to the first few weeks of growth. This 

 is also an argument for a thorough preparation of the soil, 

 deep plowing and deep working in preparing the hills. 



As soon as the plants are well started, work into the soil 

 about the hills a few ounces of a Nitrated ammoniate 

 (Nitrate of Soda), a quantity per hill corresponding to 250 

 to 350 pounds of Nitrate of Soda per acre. If at any time 

 the hills should show a sickly yellow, apply Nitrate at once, 

 however late in the season. 



Cucumbers, squashes and cantaloupes should be planted 

 in hills 5 feet apart each way, watermelons in hills 10 feet 

 apart each way. On very light soils, heavy rains are apt to 

 leach out available plant food, a result soon followed by 

 a yellowing of the stem of the plants. This is invariably a 

 sign of a lack of Nitrated plant food. Level culture rather 

 than ridges seems to be found more generally successful. 



Formula for Melons: 



Nitrate of Soda (in two or more applications) 800 lbs. 



Superphosphate ooo 



Muriate of potash • 200 



