The above table shows some interesting facts. It p^J t g 0r 



is evident that only about three-fourths as much of the 



Nitrogen in dried blood or cotton-seed meal as in Ni- I7 

 trate of Soda is available the first season. The Nitro- 

 gen in tankage is even less available, only a little over 

 half being used by the crop. 



These experiments were made with corn, which 

 grows for a long period when the ground is warm and 

 the conditions most favorable to render the Nitrogen 

 in organic substances available, and yet only part of it 

 could be used by the crop. 



When it is considered that Nitrogen in the form of 

 Nitrate of Soda can be bought for as little or less per 

 pound than in almost any other form, the advantage 

 and economy of purchasing and using this form is very 

 apparent. 



Nitration as studied by means of the drainage 

 water of 6 plots of land, each 300 square yards in area, 

 during 4 years, shows that the loss of Nitrogen in the 

 drainage water was very small and practically negli- 

 gible. Even when Nitrogen was applied in the spring 

 the losses were not large unless heavy rains occurred at 

 the time. The Nitrogen is apparently rapidly taken 

 up by the young growing plants at this season of the 

 year and only a small portion is free to pass into the 

 drainage. The greatest losses may occur in the fall, 

 when the soil is bare and heavy rains occur, the Ni- 

 trates having accumulated in large quantities during 

 the warmer period of the year. Large losses at this 

 season are, however, prevented by the growing of cover 

 crops. 



Chile's Supply of Nitrate. 



Investigation Proves It Sufficient, in all Likelihood 

 to Last Several Centuries. 



A good deal has been said in this country and in 

 Europe about the probability of the Nitrate beds of 

 Chile being exhausted within twenty to twenty-five 

 years. The matter has been the subject of a native 

 government investigation with the result that the in- 



