F °pian? r noticeable mainly upon the earliness of crop. In the 



first experiment the yield of the first picking was 63 



5° per cent, greater from the Nitrated plots than from the 

 one upon which no additional Nitrate had been used. 

 The extra early yield, for which the highest prices were 

 obtained, was increased from 8.3 per cent, on the plot 

 on which 400 pounds were used to 12.8 per cent, on 

 the plot which received 700 pounds per acre, an in- 

 creased yield at a less cost per unit of harvesting — 

 points of great importance. 



The amounts used mav range from 



thl Nitrate g 400 to 800 P ounds P er acr ^' depending 



upon the conditions, always remember- 

 ing that the richer the soil and the better its condition 

 the larger will be the amount of Nitrate that can be 

 used to advantage. The beets are usually transplanted, 

 and one-half of the amount of Nitrate of Soda used may 

 be applied either before transplanting or immediately 

 after, and in about three weeks the balance may be ap- 

 plied. In applying Nitrate after the plants have made 

 considerable growth of top, care should be taken to dis- 

 tribute it as near as possible between the rows, or, if 

 broad-casted, only when the leaves are perfectly dry, so 

 that all of the salt may reach the soil, and thus not be 

 liable to injure the plants. Where it does not seem 

 practicable to make the application of Nitrate of Soda 

 separately, then the Nitrate, in the quantity desired, 

 may be mixed with the commercial fertilizer and all 

 applied at the same time. This practice saves labor 

 and danger of injuring the foliage, though it may result 

 in a slight loss of the Nitrate, as it should be applied 

 long enough before the plants are set to permit of its 

 thorough distribution in the soil. Still, the danger of 

 loss is not great, unless the season is so extremely wet 

 as to prevent cultivation. 



In the case of asparagus, which is a 

 Asparagus. perennial, the final results of the experi- 



ments have not yet been secured, though the experience 

 of practical growers is unanimous in favor of its use. 

 This crop, as is the case with early beets, requires heavy 

 manuring or fertilizing, or both, for the highest profit. 

 The advantage of the extra dressings of Nitrate of Soda 



