20 VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



It varies considerably in composition, and this may some- 

 times be accounted for by the fact that in some establishments 

 the blood is separated from the other offal, thus reducing- the 

 percentage of nitrogen in the tankage. It is a rather slow 

 acting fertilizer. Tankage may be safely used in quantities 

 of less than 1000 pounds per acre if applied broadcast and 

 worked into the soil. Four hundred pounds per acre is gener- 

 ally considered a good application. It may be safely used in 

 these quantities around growing plants of cabbage, corn, let- 

 tuce, etc., provided it is evenly spread out and does not come 

 in contact with the roots of the plants. 



Ground Blood is very rich in nitrogen and quite difficult 

 to dry thoroughly. If at all moist, it is likely to heat badly. 

 It is a quick acting fertilizer and is seldom used without being 

 mixed with other materials. 



Ground Bones are always rich in phosphoric acid, but 

 ground fresh bones are better than dry bones since in ad- 

 dition to phosphoric acid they have quite a large percentage 

 of nitrogen, that is very small in bones that are old and dry. 

 It is always best to break or grind the bones that are to be 

 used on the land and in many cases to then mix them with 

 fermenting stable manure. Ground bone is said to be a last- 

 ing fertilizer because its effect can be seen for several years. 

 If bones are burned, the nitrogen is wasted. Ground bone 

 is greatly improved as a fertilizer by mixing it with stable or 

 other fermenting manure. If fresh bones are mixed with un- 

 leached wood ashes they will be made soft. Ground bone is 

 generally applied in much the same way and for the same 

 purposes as tankage. 



Nitrate of Soda, called also Chili saltpetre, is imported 

 from Chili. It looks like common salt and contains about 1(> 

 per cent of nitrogen, perfectly soluble and in the form most 

 available for the plant. On this account, only very small 

 quantities should be applied at one time, because if not taken 

 up by the plant it may be washed deep into the soil out of 

 reach of the roots. It is especially desirable for early leaf 

 crops, such as early spinach, cabbage and lettuce, and to ap- 

 ply when a crop comes to a standstill. It acts with wonder- 

 ful quickness — almost like magic. It may be applied several 

 times to the growing crop at intervals of two weeks, using 



