in the end. Therefore we come to the conclusion that the Nitrate of 

 Nitrogen of Nitrate of Soda is in all respects the most effective, ? oda f r 

 and, at corresponding prices, the form of Nitrogen generally to Ugar " 

 be recommended. 2 3 



If sulfate of ammonia is so cheap that, TT r\ u 



c , r XT- How Other 



for equal quantities or Nitrogen, it costs A 



, c , r XT- c Ammomates 



only 85 per cent or the price or iNitrate or . 



Soda, it has then to be considered whether 

 we cannot give part of the Nitrogen in the form of the 

 ammoniacal manure. But up to the present the prices of 

 the manures containing ammoniacal Nitrogen have been too 

 high for us to be able to think of employing them. Agri- 

 culturists have indeed made much and frequent use of 

 ammoniacal manure, but, in my opinion, quite injudiciously. 



For, gentlemen, the conversion of ammonia into 

 Nitrate is not completed in the soil all at once, but is 

 brought about by the growth and nourishment of small 

 organisms, and this process requires a certain time; I cannot 

 say how long it occupies, but some lapse of time always 

 takes place before the last of the ammonia in the soil is 

 converted into Nitrate. But as the beet is quite unable to 

 consume ammonia, and can only live on Nitrate, it is, in my 

 opinion, an agricultural sin of omission not to place at its disposal 

 at the outset the quantity of Nitrogen necessary for its first 

 development in the form of Nitrate of Soda. 



For this first development, which, I ^,. 



repeat once more, must, in the case of the T ,. . , 



, j .j, i i_ i 1-1 T Indispensable. 



sugar-beet proceed rapidly and healthily, I 



hold the application of Nitrate of Soda in certain quantities 

 to be quite indispensable ; so that it may with truth be said 

 that without Nitrate of Soda the profitable cuitivation of the 

 sugar-beet cannot at the present time be carried on at all. 



A portion of the Nitrogen may, if sulfate of ammonia 

 be worth its price, which at present it is not be given in 

 that form, but there can be no question of any preference 

 to be given to the application of the ammoniacal fertilizer; 

 it may in the most favorable circumstances replace a portion 

 of the Nitrate of Soda. 



It is indeed possible by the cultivation of catch crops 

 and the maintenance of a greater head of cattle, and like- 

 wise by the preservation of the Nitrogen of the dung, to 

 introduce so much heart into the soil that, at the outset, 



