plain that we cannot afford to jeopardize the chances of grow- Food for 

 ing crops by having only an insufficient supply of immediately 



available Nitrogen when it is most needed. 



According to Dr. Wheeler's experi- Grass 

 ments in Rhode Island, soils are less ex- 

 hausted when complete fertilizers are used with Nitrate than . 

 when no Nitrate is used. The Soda always left behind after 

 the Nitrate of Soda is used up conserves always the Lime and 

 Potash, and unlocks the soil Silicates and thereby frees Lime 

 and Magnesia. The Feeding value of Hay is far greater 

 when Nitrate is used as a fertilizer in this connection. 



RHODE ISLAND FORMULA. 



Nitrate of Soda 300 Ibs. 



Sulphate of potash 200 Ibs. 



Acid phosphate 400 Ibs. 



Fertilizing Hay Crops in 

 California. 



In the West Coast States Wheat is sown for Hay, and 

 cut green ; likewise Oats. 



The experiments with fertilizers on oats-hay crops by 

 California Experiment Station, begun in 1901, were con- 

 tinued during the season of 1902-3. During the season of 

 1901-2 it was found that the use of Thomas phosphate slag 

 and sulphate of potash with Nitrate of Soda did 

 not pay as well as Nitrate of Soda used alone. 

 The experiments during the last season were planned to test 

 the availability of the phosphate after the first season. 

 It was thought that there was a possibility that the 

 insoluble slag phosphate would become more available the 

 second season after applying it. The plots first used in the 

 experiments were subdivided and given different applications 

 of Nitrate of Soda, used alone and in combination with sul- 

 phate of potash used at the rate of 300 pounds per acre. 



The yield of hay was lower on both fertilized and unfer- 

 tilized plots during the second season than it was in the first. 

 This difference is undoubtedly due to an unfavorable season. 



