minerals. This method of practice is one which should £j°^ or 



be the ultimate aim, and can be accomplished by gradu- 



ally increasing the amounts as the profits from the crops 6 5 



grown from the application of smaller amounts warrant. 



The experiments, the results of , , 



, . , l n j i • i Methods of 



which are confirmed, by experience, also Application. 



answer the third question, as to when 

 it shall be applied. Apply as a top-dressing in spring, 

 after the grass has well started, when the foliage is dry, 

 and preferably just before or just after a rain. If applied 

 when vegetative functions are active, it is immediately 

 absorbed, and not only strengthens the plant but 

 causes it to throw its roots deeply into the soil and to 

 absorb more readily the mineral food, and thus utilize 

 to a fuller degree the amount of Nitrate applied. Fre- 

 quently, however, not only is the yield increased, but 

 the quality of the hay is improved — that is, there is 

 proportionately more nitrogenous substance in the hay 

 than in that obtained where no Nitrogen has been 

 used, so that unless the Nitrate has been absorbed uni- 

 formly we cannot expect the yield that may be calcu- 

 lated from the amount of Nitrogen applied. These 

 experiments suggest, further, that, owing to the diffi- 

 culty of evenly distributing a small amount of Nitrate 

 of Soda, and owing, also, to the fact that, on soils that 

 have been seeded with grass, there is frequently a 

 deficiency of mineral elements, a mixture may prefer- 

 ably be used which is rich in Nitrate, usually one-half, 

 the balance consisting of acid phosphate, ground bone 

 and muriate of potash. The soluble minerals are 

 readily carried to the roots of the plants, but the 

 ground bone feeds the surface roots, and the Nitrate 

 is absorbed quite as readily as if not used with any 

 other material. This method is to be recommended 

 whenever the land is in good condition, and it is desired 

 to keep up the content of the mineral constituents in 

 the soil, as well as to avoid any danger of overfeeding 

 with Nitrogen, which would have a tendency, particu- 

 larly in the warmer climates, of causing a softer growth 

 and formation of mildew. This is liable to occur 

 where the Nitrogen is in excess and the ration is not 

 well balanced. 



