F °p1a f nte som bl e in water and can be immediately taken up by 



the plants and supplies them with that which they need 



6 4 at the time they need it — it can be used by them early 

 in the spring before other forms of applied Nitrogen 

 are usable and before other soil supplies are available. 

 The results of experiments conducted through a period 

 of nine years, and in different sections of the State, 

 show that upon soils which will produce crops ranging 

 from one to three tons per acre, a gain in yield of from 

 9 to 54 per cent., or an average increase of 32.7 per 

 cent., may be expected from the use of from 100 to 150 

 pounds per acre, which would show an average gain 

 in yield of 654 pounds per acre; based on the average 

 yield of this section of the country of 1.25 tons per 

 acre, the gain would be 820 pounds. This increase at 

 an average price of $12 per ton would mean about $5 

 per acre, or $2 more than the cost of the material. A 

 very satisfactory profit, when it is remembered that it 

 is obtained at the same cost of labor and of capital in- 

 vested in land. 



The second question, as to how much 

 si Ti h IUCh shall be applied :— experience teaches 



Applied * nat on 8'°°d soils, in a good state of 



cultivation, 150 pounds per acre would 

 he regarded as the most useful amount, though on poor 

 soils, 100 pounds would be better, and on richer soils, 

 as high as 200 or 250 pounds per acre may be used with 

 advantage. The reason why a smaller amount is 

 recommended on poor soils is because on such soils 

 there is liable to be a deficiency of the mineral elements, 

 and inasmuch as the Nitrate is not a food complete in 

 itself, but an element of food, the plant would be 

 unable to utilize it to the best advantage in the absence 

 of the necessary minerals. Where the soils are good 

 or under the intensive plan, larger amounts may be used, 

 as under this system all the constituents are supplied 

 in reasonable excess, besides, every precaution is taken 

 to have the physical condition of the soil so perfect as 

 to provide for the easy distribution and absorption of 

 the food applied. In experiments conducted in Rhode 

 Island the largest profit was obtained from the applica- 

 tion of 450 pounds per acre, together with the necessary 



