Food for 

 Plants 



ill 



Late Spinach. 



350 Ibs. Nitrate of Soda to the acre, in two applications. 



No Nitrate. 



Asparagus. 



The soil should be sandy, or a light loam. As the crop 

 remains in position for many years, the land should be 

 selected with that fact in mind. The soil must be kept very 

 clean and mellow. Stable manure is very objectionable on 

 account of its weed seeds. It is only by a quick, even growth 

 that large, crisp stalks can be produced, and there must be 

 no check through a scanty supply of plant food. In the 

 spring, as soon as the ground can be worked, clear off the rows 

 and loosen up the soil, and apply broadcast along the rows 

 a top-dressing of Nitrate of Soda, from 200 to 300 pounds. 

 With this crop, the full application of Nitrate can be made 

 at one time. 



Enormous profits may be derived from the proper use 

 of fertilizers on asparagus. 



If the rent, labor, etc., for a crop of asparagus is $200 

 per acre, and the crop is three tons of green shoots at $100 

 per. ton, on the farm, the profit is $100 per acre. If we get 

 six tons at $100 per ton, the profit, less the extra cost of labor 

 and manure, is $400 per acre. 



In such crops as asparagus, however, doubling the yield 

 by the use of Nitrate of Soda does not tell half the story. 



Asparagus is sold by the bunch, weighing about 1^/2. 

 pounds. The prices range, according to earliness and quality, 

 from 10 cents to 25 cents per bunch at wholesale, or from $80 

 to $200 per ton. 



