that is, the merchantable portion of the crop. In fer- |j°^ t g° r 



tilizing grapes the phosphate and potash should be 



applied early in the spring, before the vines begin to *9 X 

 grow; Nitrate of Soda should be applied just at the 

 time the vines commence growth in the spring. A 

 better plan perhaps is to apply the Nitrate in two doses, 

 one when the vines start growth in the spring, the 

 second some time three weeks later. 



Nursery Stock. 



The soil should be moderately light loam, some- 

 what deep and thoroughly worked. It is an advantage 

 if the soil has previously been in corn, or some other 

 clean cultivation crop. Nursery stock should not be 

 planted on turned-under clover stubble. A soil rich 

 in ammoniates produces an overgrowth of wood, which 

 fails to mature. This is caused by continued supplies 

 of natural Nitrate up to the time of frost, and as a 

 consequence new sap wood is continually being formed 

 only to be killed back in winter. The ammonia in all 

 low grade fertilizers is slowly Nitrated by the action 

 of certain soil organisms, which continue at work so 

 long as there are any ammoniates to work upon, or the 

 soil not frozen. All through the season of growth, 

 more or less Nitrated ammonia is being supplied, which 

 acts to prevent the complete ripening of the summer's 

 growth. 



This is a marked evil in growing nursery stock. 

 The work is not matured and is badly killed back by 

 frost, causing serious disfigurement; also the young trees 

 become too slender and suffer more in transplanting. 

 Apply along the rows a fertilizer consisting of 200 

 pounds of acid phosphate and 200 pounds of sulphate 

 of potash, at the rate of 400 pounds per acre, and work 

 well into the soil. When the young trees are in full 

 leaf, apply in the same manner 300 to 400 pounds of 

 Nitrate of Soda to the acre; and, four weeks later, repeat 

 the Nitrate application, using 150 to 200 pounds. This 

 will ensure a rapid growth early in the season with 

 ample time for thorough maturing before cold weather. 



