Food for as a top-dressing proves desirable in effectually increasing the 

 1 yield of both grain and straw, and which is accomplished at a 



profit. The average yield of crops without top-dressing 

 ranged from 9.3 to 15.4 bushels of grain, and the increase 

 from the application of 100 pounds of Nitrate of Soda 

 ranged from 21 to 37 per cent, for grain, and from 33.5 to 

 37 for straw, or an average increase of 28.5 per cent, foi 

 grain and 35.7 for straw. The yield obtained without top- 

 dressing is not so large as in the case of the wheat, nor is the 

 increase proportionately as large, due undoubtedly to the fact 

 that the rye is usually grown on poorer land than wheat, and 

 that only 100 pounds are used, though this small amount is 

 recommended because of the relatively lower price of grain. 

 Applying this percentage increase, however, to the average 

 yields, as shown by the States mentioned, namely, fifteen 

 bushels of rye, and 1,800 pounds of straw per acre, we have a 

 gain of 4.28 bushels of grain and 603 pounds of straw. At 

 sixty cents per bushel for the grain, and $12 per ton for the 

 straw, the gain is $6. 1 8, or a net profit from the use of Nitrate 

 of Soda of $3.93 per acre, a very handsome return for the in- 

 vestment. The suggestions as to the amount and time to 

 apply are practically the same as for the wheat and hay, 

 though, owing to the fact that the straw is relatively more 

 valuable than the grain, the larger applications may be made 

 for the rye than for wheat, as an abnormal increase in the 

 proportion of straw would not result in lowering the total 

 value of the crop. 



At this Station during the years 1899 

 Experiments . , 



. . P to 1902 seven experiments were conducted 



P with Nitrate as a top-dressing on forage 



crops, the Nitrate being used in addition 

 to the manures and fertilizers generally used, and the follow- 

 ing tabulations show the yield and gain per acre obtained. 

 It will be observed that in all cases a very marked increase, 

 due to the application of Nitrate, occurred on all crops except 

 the barley, which, owing to unfavorable weather conditions, 

 did not make a large yield. Applying this percentage increase 

 to what has been shown to be average yields of these crops 

 without Nitrate, we have the following table, which shows 

 the gain per acre and the value of the increase on all crops 

 at an assumed value of $3 per ton : 



