Food for ^s an alkali, soda has no advantage over potash, since the 

 ^^^°^^ decomposing action of the soda is rarely due to its alkalinity. 

 ^58 Potash, if used in the form of wood-ashes, the lime car- 

 bonate of the ashes, will neutralize the acid properties of 

 the peat, and the growth of the Nitrate ferment will thus 

 be greatly promoted. 



Soda is, in rare instances, needful as a plant food; if 

 needed it would be better economy to use soda ash. In 

 these composts the writer invariably substitutes kainit, or 

 other products of the German mines, for common salt. 



„ , „ Sawdust, leaves, cornstalks, tan bark, and 



How to Save n 1 • j r -u ui ^ • ^ 



all kmds or coarse vegetable materials are 



more rapidly decomposed by the aid of 

 caustic alkalies than by any other means. Coarse materials, 

 like cornstalks, trimmings from fruit trees, hedges, grape 

 vines, etc., are rich in plant food, and instead of being 

 burned should be composted with potash and lime in 

 separate heaps. More time must be allowed for the decom- 

 position of coarse materials, and they should always be 

 composted in large heaps and kept moist. 



The process of nitration in the niter-bed, 



J: l?^ ^°" ^^ the compost heap, or in the soil is precisely 

 Nitration. , ^ -ri, r .• c ^t\. . ■ 



the same. 1 he formation or JNitrates is 



due to the continuous life and development of a micro- 

 organism known as the nitric ferment or nitric bacteria, 

 which lives upon the nitrogenous organic matters, ammo- 

 nium compounds, and other things present in the soil. 

 The nitric ferment is a microscopic plant somewhat like 

 the yeast used for leavening bread, and for fermenting malt 

 liquors; and under favorable conditions of temperature and 

 moisture, and in the presence of oxygen is propagated with 

 marvelous rapidity in the soil. One of the results of the life 

 of this minute plant is the formation of Nitrates. 



Nitration is extremely feeble in winter and at tempera- 

 tures below 40° F. almost entirely ceases. It is most active 

 at about 98° F. to 99° F., and is more rapid in the dark than 

 in bright sunlight. At temperatures above 100° F. the 

 formation of Nitrates rapidly decreases and at 131° F. en- 

 tirely ceases. As w^e have just stated, it has been noticed 

 that the nitric ferment thrives best in the dark, and, hence, 

 one good reason for making compost beds under sheds or in 

 sheltered situations. When so made the conditions for 



