well started, when the foliage is dry, and preferably just Food for 

 before or just after a rain. If applied earlier than this, there 



will be a slight danger of loss, because the roots will not be 6 3 

 ready to appropriate it, and, as it is entirely soluble, it may 

 be washed into the drains. If applied when vegetative func- 

 tions 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 min- 

 eral food, and thus utilize to a fuller degree the amount 

 of Nitrate applied. It has been shown that, even under the 

 best seasonal and soil conditions, a part of the Nitrate 

 will disappear in any case, and that only about 75 per cent. 

 can be expected to be returned in the increased crop, and if 

 this 75 per cent, is all returned in the crop, a maximum of 

 about 1,500 pounds would be produced if the yield only was 

 increased. Frequently, however, not only is the yield in- 

 creased, 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 uniformly we 

 cannot expect the yield that may be calculated from the 

 amount of Nitrogen applied. These experiments suggest, 

 further, that, owing to the difficulty 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 

 preferably 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, and 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, particularly 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. A good mixture 

 for top-dressing may be made up as follows : 



