Manures and Fertilizers. 35 



Quickly-available nitrogenous fertilizers should preferably 

 be applied in several small dressings at short intervals, but 

 care must be taken not to apply them too late in the season, 

 or there will be excessive growth of leaf and stem and the 

 maturing of the crop will be retarded. 



When the ripening of a crop is delayed beyond the normal 

 period a dressing of a quickly-available phosphatic fertilizer 

 will help to put matters right. 



On soils of loose texture and small retentive power it is best 

 to use those fertilizers which are not too readily soluble, in 

 order that the losses caused by heavy rains shall be as small 

 as possible. 



Liquid manures should only be used during the growing 

 period, and then at frequent intervals in a very diluted form, 

 alternating with occasional soakings of clear water. 



VALUING FERTILIZERS. 



As a general rule it will be found to be more economical to 

 purchase fertilizing materials of high grade. Bulk is desirable 

 to ensure evenness of distribution, but as the fertilizing 

 elements occupy very little space it is more economical to buy 

 them concentrated and so save carriage and cartage expenses, 

 afterwards giving bulk by the addition of dry earth, sand, coal 

 ashes, or any similar substance. 



When fertilizers are purchased they must always be accom- 

 panied by a guaranteed analysis, according to the Fertilizers and 

 Feeding Stuffs Act. This analysis must be given in terms and 

 percentages of nitrogen, soluble phosphates, and pure potash. 



Many of the forms of analysis given are misleading, and 

 by a bold array of figures cause the inexperienced to imagine 

 that a poor material is a comparatively rich one. For in- 

 stance, not only is the amount of nitrogen stated but also its 

 equivalent in ammonia, which is merely expressing the same 

 value in another way with larger figures ; then the soluble and 

 insoluble phosphates are given and this is frequently followed 

 by total phosphates, which again is a repetition ; pure potash 

 will be re-stated as sulphate of potash, and the whole has a 

 bewildering effect upon the unwary. 



