CHEMISTEY OF THE GARDEN. 33 



For turnips, ruta baga, corn, sorghum : 



Acid, bone phosphate of lime 300 pounds 



Nitrate of potassa 100 " 



Sulphate of lime 200 " 



Costing about thirteen dollars. 



For beans, peas and clover : 



Acid, bone phosphate of lime 200 pounds 



Nitrate of potassa 150 " 



Sulphate of lime 200 " 



Costing about fourteen dollars. 



For wheat, barley, pats and pasture : 



Acid phosphate of lime 100 pounds 



Nitrate of potassa 100 " 



Sulphate of ammonia 100 " 



Sulphate of lime 100 " 



Costing about twelve dollars. 



The unexampled collection of wheats shown by Lan- 

 dreth & Son at the Centennial International Exhibition 

 of 1876, were grown on Bloomsdale Farm, fertilized by a 

 preparation made after the last named prescription. 



The writer has said stable manure is king, but it 

 cannot always be obtained in quantity, nor at the desired 

 periods ; failing to obtain it for present use, we recom- 

 mend chemical manures, which, used in seasons not too 

 dry, may do equally well at less cost ; but if time permits, 

 green manures will be found the cheapest. 



Nitrogenized matter in the soil is absolutely neces- 

 sary to the growth of vigorous crops, and the fact cannot 

 be too strongly impressed on every gardener that nitro- 

 gen and phosphoric acid are the leading manurial ad- 

 ditions required, and a cheap and efficient method of 

 application should occupy his constant attention. Ni- 

 trogen, in the form of atmospheric ammonia, is largely 

 obtained by plants through their leaves, but to an equally 

 large extent does the soil get it by absorption, and, if 

 covered, it holds it, and in this simple fact is one'of the 

 secrets of green manuring. Any cover, whether of 

 boards, hay, straw, or uncut grass, renders the soil 

 quite as fertile by the retention of nitrogen as by the 

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