Yield of Forage Crops Per Acre. 



It will be observed that the value of the increased crop 

 ranges from $5.64 to $11.59 P er acre a profitable increase 

 in every case, as the average cost of the Nitrate did not ex- 

 ceed $3.60. This profit does not take into consideration 

 the fact that the average increase for all the crops was over 

 50 per cent., thus reducing, in this proportion, the area 

 required for the production of a definite amount of food 

 a point of vital importance in the matter of growing forage 

 for soiling purposes. In other words, it is shown that, not 

 only is there a profitable gain, but that with these crops the 

 application of Nitrate of Soda made it possible to double the 

 number of cattle or the number of cows that could be kept 

 on a definite area. 



In the case of the wheat and rye the application was 

 made when the plants were well started in the spring. In 

 the case of the spring or summer-seeded crops the applica- 

 tions were made after the plants were well .started and root 

 systems well established and ready for the 

 rapid absorption of food. In raising for- 

 age crops the best results, in fact, satis- 

 factory results, can only be obtained when grown under the 

 intensive system. The soil must be well prepared and an 

 abundance of all the elements of plant-food supplied. 

 Hence, the application of Nitrate may be greater than is 

 usually recommended for grain crops under the extensive 

 system. 



Methods of 

 Application. 



Food for 

 Plants 



67 



