28 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



From 1 to 2 cwts. to the acre, or from I to T oz. per square 

 yard, may safely be given, preferably in two or three separate 

 applications at intervals of two or three weeks, after growth 

 has begun. Evenness of distribution is important and this is 

 made easier and more certain by mixing with two or three 

 times the bulk of fine dry soil, sand, or ashes. 



Nitrate of Soda, imported from Chili, is a crystalline salt, 

 of a whitish colour, formed by the combination of nitric acid 

 and soda. It is sold on a basis of 95 per cent, nitrate and 

 5 per cent, impurities; it contains 15| per cent, nitrogen, 

 equal to 19 per cent, ammonia. It acts very quickly, becoming 

 at once available as plant food. It should only be used when 

 plants are growing, or much of it may be wasted, as it is very 

 easily washed out of the soil by rain. On clay soils it has 

 the effect of releasing inert potash, which is an additional 

 advantage, but it should not be used on the same plot too 

 frequently as it has a tendency to destroy the texture of clay 

 soils, making them " run together." 



Crush finely, then mix and use in the same quantities and in 

 in the same manner as sulphate of ammonia. 



Nitrolim is a new fertilizer in which nitrogen from the 

 atmosphere has been chemically fixed. It is a dark grey, 

 powdery substance, containing about 18 per cent, nitrogen, 

 equal to 22 per cent, ammonia, and 20 to 30 per cent, of quick- 

 lime. In amount of nitrogen it is thus mid-way between 

 sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda; it is used in a 

 similar way and is said to be as effective as either. The free 

 lime which it contains should make it very suitable for heavy 

 soils. 



Dried Blood, when a good sample, is a very valuable source 

 of nitrogen, of which it usually contains about 11 per cent., 

 equal to 13 per cent, ammonia. It is moderately quick in 

 action, lasting, and does not wash out of the soil. It is a very 

 suitable nitrogenous manure to use with potting soil or under 

 glass. It may be used at the rate of from f to li ozs. to the 

 square yard. 



