orchard can be well tilled and a system of growing cover crops is followed, 

 many soils produce satisfactory growth and fruitfulness without fertilizer. 

 The use of 75 to 100 pounds per acre of nitrate of soda for peaches on the 

 lighter and poorer soils may constitute an exception. 



THE PURCHASE OF FERTILIZERS 



1. Secure quotations and guarantees from several responsible parties 

 and buy for cash if possible. 



2. Remember value is fixed by food content, not bj'- weight, and make 

 sure you get the maximum for money spent. 



3. At current prices very cautious use of fertilizers must be the rule, 

 but a relatively liberal expenditure is a necessity for crops of high money 

 value per acre and those requiring heavy outlay for labor. For these, even 

 at present prices for potash, it may be good policy to purchase something to 

 supply that element in all cases where experience indicates it to be im- 

 portant. 



SUMMARY 



1. The fertilizer situation in 1916 is peculiarly difficult because: — 



a. Potash salts cannot be purchased at a price which farmers can 

 afford to pay. 



b. Nitrate of soda and acid phosphate are exceptionally high be- 

 cause of the war, the scarcity and high price of coastwise freights, and the 

 blocking of the Panama Canal. 



c. Most other materials have advanced in price in sympathy. 



2. The farmer under these conditions should adopt all possible means 

 for lessening the need for commercial fertilizers. Among such measures are 

 the following: — 



a. Putting all hoed crops upon the better soils. 



b. Adopting all possible means of increasing the availability of 

 inert plant food found in the soil, including: — 



(a) Better and deeper tillage, and drainage where needed. 



(b) Use of indirect fertilizers such as lime, land plaster and 

 common salt which may help make soil potash available. It should be re- 

 membered that nitrate of soda and acid phosphate besides serving as direct 

 fertilizers may also help render soil constituents available. 



3. Unusual care in saving and applying farm manures. 



a. Prevent escape of urine which means loss of potash, heating 

 which means loss of ammonia, and leaching which means loss of all soluble 

 constituents. 



b. Apply some manure to all cultivated land. 



4. Organic refuse. 



a. Carefully save all refuse vegetable materials. These are chiefly 

 valuable for the potash they contain. 



b. If fitted for such use, employ such material as bedding; other- 

 wise, incorporate directly with the soil. 



5. Wood ashes. 



These, if of good quality, will be unusually valuable for the potash 

 they carry. Gather from all possible sources and purchase wherever avail- 

 able at reasonable prices. 



6. Green Manuring. 



Should the war continue another year, this would be especially 

 worth consideration. 



7. Kelp and seaweed will be worth more than usual on account of the 

 potash and nitrogen they carry. 



