The season was not good hay weather on account of an Food for 



early and severe drouth, yet the top-dressing of 150 pounds _^^! 



of Nitrate of Soda per acre increased the crop of hay 40 per ^°5 

 cent., and the top-dressing of 450 pounds gave an increase 

 of 105 per cent. In summarizing the results the Station 

 reports that in spite of weather so unfavorable that there was 

 practically no second crop, a top-dressing of l^O pounds of 

 Nitrate of Soda per acre increased the crop in value $6.g^, 

 at a cost for Nitrate of $J.JO; a top-dressing of ^50 pounds per 

 acre increased the value of the crop $l6.g8 at a cost of $g.go. 



Plant Food Needs of Crops. 



The chemical analysis of plants shows what CroDs 

 the actual amounts of ammonia, potash and Xake out of 

 phosphoric acid they contain, and is a g ., 

 fairly good guide for the composition of 

 fertilizers. The value of plant food, so called, is not solely 

 through its use as simple food, but at the same time there 

 is a fair degree of uniformity in the fertilizer needs of 

 plants as shown by their chemical analysis. At least it 

 is the only practical method of comparison we have. In 

 an examination of the fertilizer requirements of plants 

 by studying their analysis, we must keep in mind the fact 

 that the whole plant must be considered — not only the 

 grain, straw, etc., but also the stubble and roots. While it 

 is true the stubble and roots remain in the soil, there is 

 invariably a considerable loss in the process of transforming 

 crude fertilizing substances into available forms. 



The Storrs Experiment Station of 'Connecticut reported 

 on an experiment with timothy hay, with results as follows: 



Yield per acre. Ammonia (Nitrogen). Potash. 



Hay S^Q^o lbs. 39.0 lbs. 51 .5 lbs. 



Stubble and roots.. 8,223 " 90.1 " 55.8 " 



Total 12,203 lbs. 129. 1 lbs. • 107.3 'bs. 39.1 lbs. 



The quantities of plant food actually Eauivalent 

 contained in the crop, computed to the best Ouantitv of 

 known fertilizer materials, are represented Nitrate Food 

 by 807 pounds of Nitrate of Soda, 215 

 pounds of muriate of potash, and 280 pounds of acid- 



