65 



quantity the same were made on the experimental plot May Food for 

 1 6th, 22nd, 29th, June 3rd, 9th, 15th, 22nd and 26th; ^'^"*^ 

 making a total of 165 pounds of Nitrate of Soda per acre. 

 On June 27th the experimental plot was setting fruit 

 rapidly, while the plot not Nitrated was just coming to 

 bloom. The Nitrated plot was given on June 29th a quart 

 of a solution made by dissolving two ounces of Nitrate of 

 Soda in a gallon of water; and this application was repeated 

 July 3rd, 7th, 1 5th, 24th, and August 8th. This practically 

 doubled the Nitrate application. 



The first picking on the Nitrated plot was ^ . . xjm^ 

 made July ist, on the non-Nitrated plot j^ t^js Crop 

 July 22nd, when prices were at the lowest y^^.^ Remark- 

 point. After the early market season was ^^j^ j^^^^ 

 over, the vines were treated for pickling ^ggj^g j,^ ;^(j. 

 cucumbers, the Nitrated plot receiving 50 y^^^^ 

 pounds of Nitrate of Soda dissolved in 

 water as before ; later two applications of a quart each, con- 

 taining half an ounce per gallon. The result was that the 

 vines continued bearing until cut down by frost. The 

 estimated yields were as follows: Nitrated plot, per acre, 

 6,739 dozen, plot not Nitrated gave per acre 948 dozen. 



Sweet Corn. 



The crop was planted on rather poor soil. Seed was 

 planted May 4th, and the cultivators started May 12th. A 

 portion of the field was selected for experiment, and on this 

 75 pounds of Nitrate of Soda were applied per acre May 

 20th, drilled close to the row. A second application of the 

 same amount was made May 26th, and on June 5th a third 

 application. On June 17th 100 pounds per acre were 

 applied and cultivated into the soil. The total Nitrate 

 applied to the experimental plot amounted to 325 pounds 

 per acre. The Nitrated plot ripened corn 5 days ahead of 

 the non-Nitrated portion, and produced gg^ dozen ears 

 against 62 j dozen from an acre not treated with Nitrate ot 

 Soda. The Nitrated crop, being earlier in the market, 

 brought better prices ; the gross return being S99.40 per 

 acre as compared with :?62.30 for the non-Nitrated plot. 

 The cost of the Nitrate and its application expenses 

 amounted to $9.75 per acre, leaving a net gain from the use 

 of Nitrate of Soda, of $27. 35 per acre. 



