Food for crops, not to allow the salt to come in contact with the 

 P'^°^^ foliage of the plants. 



130 A, V In the case of cucumbers, heavier soils 



Cucumbers. , , , , ' . . ^ ^ . 



may be used, and larger quantities of ferti- 

 lizers applied. In our experiments, the application of Nitrate 

 in addition to regular methods of fertilization resulted in a 

 very large increase in crop — over 100 per cent. — and an 

 increase in net value of over ^60 per acre. The amounts 

 of Nitrate applied may range from 250 to 350 pounds per 

 acre, and it should preferably be distributed more evenly 

 throughout the season than in the case of the melons; 300 

 pounds per acre, in three applications, gave the best results. 

 The effect of the Nitrate here, as in the case of melons, was 

 particularly noticeable in maintaining a rapid and con- 

 tinuous growth of vine and fruit, thus materially reducing 

 the proportion of culls. For growing this crop to best 

 advantage, the soil should either be well manured or a com- 

 mercial fertilizer, rich in all of the constituents, should be 

 applied at the rate of 400 to 600 pounds per acre, previous 

 to planting; and after the plants have well started, 100 

 pounds per acre of Nitrate of Soda should be applied; this 

 to be followed with two further dressings of the same 

 amount. The time between the dressing may range from 

 two to three weeks, according to season. 

 _ . Celery is a crop that responds most prolit- 



^* ably to an application of an abundance 



of available Nitrogen. This fertihzer not only increases the 

 yield, but very materially improves the quality of the crop. 

 Where the soil is naturally rich, or where what may be 

 regarded as good methods of practice, in reference to ferti- 

 lizers, are followed, extra applications of Nitrate result in 

 very largely increased yields and proportionate improve- 

 ment in quality. In the experiments that were conducted, 

 it was shown that where ordinary treatment was given, and 

 a small and unprofitable crop was obtained, the addition 

 of a few dollars' worth of Nitrate changed the crop into a 

 very profitable one; and in the case of a soil that was regarded 

 as good enough to produce a fair crop, the addition caused 

 a large increase in total crop, and a very marked improve- 

 ment in the quality. The selling price of roots grown with 

 Nitrate was 150 per cent, greater than where none was 

 applied, and 100 per cent, greater than where an insufficient 



