different seasons show an average gain in yield of about 50 ^^^^ ^^^ 



per cent., with an average increased value of crop ot about ^"- 



^100 per acre. ^^^ 



In the growth of this crop two methods TyrgfUQ^jg ^f 

 are used, depending largely upon the char- pj.„„^vg 

 acter of the soil and its previous treatment 

 in reference to commercial fertilizers or manures. In the first, 

 where the farmyard manure and commercial fertilizers, rich 

 in minerals, have been used on previous crops, then Nitrogen 

 in the form of Nitrate only is used, and the application ranges 

 from 150 to 250 pounds per acre. By this method the yields 

 are not so large, but the crop is usually earlier, and the net 

 profit is quite as great as if larger applications of manure or 

 fertilizer were made at the time of setting the plants. The 

 object is early tomatoes, and, under average conditions of 

 season and markets, any application of fertilizer or any prac- 

 tice which would tend to encourage a later growth or longer 

 season would reduce proportionately the net profits. 



In the other method, farmyard manures are usually 

 spread upon the soil in the fall or winter, thoroughly worked 

 into the soil in the spring. A fertilizer containing chiefly 

 phosphoric acid and potash is applied broadcast previous 

 to setting the plants, and at the time of setting an application 

 of 100 to 150 pounds per acre of Nitrate of Soda is applied 

 around the hill or over the row. After two or three weeks, 

 depending upon the season and the relative growth of the 

 plants, another application of Nitrate of Soda at the same 

 rate is applied. This, because it minimizes the interruption 

 in the feeding of the plant by furnishing immediately avail- 

 able Nitrogen, causes not only an increase in the yield and 

 marketable quality of the entire crop, but it materially 

 increases the quantity of early fruit. The results of four 

 years' experiments show that, by this method, the value of 

 the increased yield of what may be regarded as extra early 

 fruit averaged about ^45 per acre. 



As in other cases, care should be used __ . . 1 

 1 1- • TAT- 1 ij How to Apply 



m the application 01 iNitrate; it should not „. 



come in too close contact with the plants, 



and, if broadcasted after the plants are set, it should be done 



when they are dry, so that all of the Nitrate may reach the 



soil. Where a larger quantity is used, as, for example, 300 



pounds or more, it is very desirable that fractional dressings 



