221 



like cabbage, which have a large leaf surface, it should £°^ ts for 

 be done when the leaves are not wet from rain or dew. 



It does not blow away, and dews are sufficient to 

 dissolve it. It is not necessary to wait for rain. 



It should be sown early in the spring for cereals, 

 just as they are starting to make their first growth; for 

 roots, after they are transplanted or set out. 



Autumn sowing is generally not advisable except as 

 an extra top-dressing for Danish or winter cabbage just 

 as they are starting to head, which is practised very 

 profitably by large cabbage growers. 



It enables the plant to make use of the necessary 

 mineral elements in the soil to the best advantage. 



There are no unknown conditions that enter it, in 

 reference to the solubility, and hence the availability 

 of Nitrate of Soda. 



The points to be observed in the use 



of Nitrate of Soda are : Avoid an excess, STmJhSS 



. . , , . p t -.1 j as to Method 



do not sprinkle wet foliage with dry of Application. 



Nitrate, and in general Nitrate must 

 not be allowed to come in contact with the stems or 

 leaves of plants. Nitrate of Soda is a nitrated nitrogen 

 and is immediately available as plant food. Applica- 

 tions of Nitrate of Soda may be made at the rate of 100 

 pounds to the acre. There is no nitrogenous fertilizer 

 in the market at the present time, which sells as low 

 for the nitrogen contained in it. In looking at quo- 

 tations nitrogen in dried blood, tankages and mixed 

 fertilizers costs anywhere from sixteen to twenty cents 

 per pound. Nitrate is, therefore, the cheapest fertilizer 

 in the market. It should be borne in mind that prices 

 for all agricultural crops have risen proportionately 

 much higher than nitrogenous fertilizers. 



Manures. 

 Dr. Voelcker, F.R.S., made analyses of fresh and 

 rotted farmyard manures. These analyses show a 

 larger percentage of soluble organic matter in rotted 

 than in fresh manure. The fresh manure contains 

 more carbon and more water, while in the rotted 

 manure the Nitrogen is in more available form for root- 

 absorption. 



