Food for The Nitrate of Soda supplies only Nitrated ammonia, 



ants which is immediately available for the uses of the plant. 



194 Nursery stock must be constantly watched for evidences 



of disease, and prompt action taken when such are 



discovered. 



Orange Groves. 



An orange that weighs a pound would sell in New 

 York for a dime. When it takes six to weigh a pound 

 they are worthless. 



Satisfactory results have been obtained in Florida 

 by fertilizing during the cold season. About two 

 months before the period of growth begins, apply for 

 each full-grown tree a mixture of 7 pounds of high- 

 grade superphosphate and 7 pounds of sulphate of 

 potash, by working it into the soil; after which one 

 pound of Nitrate of Soda may be sown on the surface. 

 In order to accomplish this application economically 

 it is well to mix the Nitrate with two or three times 

 the quantity of fine, dry soil before applying. The 

 working of the soil must not be so deep or thorough 

 as to start the growth of the tree. An excess of Nitrate 

 is to be avoided, but the amount mentioned is not too 

 much. All other ammoniates on the market must be 

 converted into Nitrate by weathering and the action 

 of the soil bacteria before they can possibly be available 

 for plant food. Nitrate of Soda is a pre-digested 

 ammoniate. With sulphate of ammonia there is danger 

 of loss, as it must be converted into Nitrate before it 

 is available as food, and during this comparatively long- 

 process it may all be lost by rains and leaching. 



Dried blood, cotton-seed meal and all other am- 

 moniates, if used in such quantities as to afford an 

 adequate supply of Nitrate, may cause die-back. No 

 disease results from the proper use of Nitrate of Soda. 

 Besides the possible losses indicated, when other am- 

 moniates are used, there is an actual loss of Nitrogen 

 during the process of Nitration, and all ammoniates 

 must undergo Nitration — must be Nitrated before 

 living trees or plants will feed on them. 



From six weeks to two months after the above 

 applications Nitrate may be used again as above indi- 



