Food for 

 Plants 



Some Practical Hints Regarding 



Nitrate. ^53 



It is the quickest acting plant food known. 



It is immediately available for the use of plants as soon 

 as it goes into solution. 



It does most of its work in one season. More must not be 

 expected of it, as it gives quick returns and large profits 

 when properly applied. It tends to sweeten sour land. 



When applied broadcast it should be evenly distributed. 

 In applying lOO pounds to an acre, one pound has to be 

 evenly spread over 48 square yards, and this requires care 

 and skill. 



It is well to mix it with sand, marl, ashes, land plaster 

 or some other finely divided material of about the same 

 weight in order to secure a more even distribution. 



Where plants are grown in hills or drills it should be 

 applied near the growing plants and thoroughly mixed with 

 the soil. 



It does not matter whether it is sown in dry or wet 

 weather except that when applied broadcast to crops like 

 cabbage, which have a large leaf surface, it should be done 

 when the leaves are not wet from rain or dew. 



It does not blow away, and dews are almost sufficient 

 to dissolve it. It is not necessary to wait for rain. 



It should be sown early in the spring for cereals, just 

 as they are starting to make their first growth; for roots, 

 after they are transplanted or set out. 



Autumn sowing is generally not advisable except as an 

 extra top-dressing for Danish or winter cabbage just as they 

 are starting to head, which is practiced very profitably by 

 large cabbage growers. 



It enables the plant to make use of the necessary mineral 

 elements in the soil to the best advantage. 



There are no unknown conditions that enter in, in refer- 

 ence to the solubility, and hence the availability of Nitrate 

 of Soda. 



