122 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



In connection with the operations at j^orfolk it is interest- 

 ing to^note the practice of our greenhouse growers which is 

 becoming more general. Lime is now used by hundreds of 

 vegetable forcers. Thej have learned that it is unfavorable 

 to toxic substances in the soil, and this may be of special im- 

 portance in greenhouse management where there is little time 

 for long rotations. It has been found particularly valuable 

 on silt and clay soils because lime tends to flocculate the 

 finest particles of the soil. After treatment with lime, the 

 soil is more open and porous, more easily penetrated by plant 

 roots, dries quicker at the surface, and provides better con- 

 ditions for the forcing of vegetables. All soils used in vegeta- 

 ble forcing should receive frequent and liberal applications 

 of lime. 



Fektilizers are itsed very effectively. 



There is very little information of a specific character re- 

 garding the use of fertilizers for vegetables. Growers every- 

 where have learned the great value of nitrate of soda when 

 applied as a top-dressing both before and after planting. I 

 believe there is universal agreement that it is better to make 

 small and frequent applications rather than very large appli- 

 cations either before or after planting. This quickly acting 

 fertilizer is often sown broadcast without regard to the pres- 

 ence of plants, whatever they may be. If the foliage is dry 

 when the ai:)plications are made, there is little danger of 

 burning the foliage from the contact of the salt. While spot- 

 ting from the nitrate will occur occasionally, the economy of 

 application more than overbalances any harm which may re- 

 sult. When sown broadcast with a swing of the arm, such 

 as is used in sowing clover seed, the nitrate usually rebounds 

 from the leaves and does not lodge, although lodging will 

 occur with certain crops, such as cabbage and lettuce. ISTo 

 material damage will result from the broadcast method of 

 applying nitrate to cabbage, but it is better to distribute it 

 along the rows for lettuce because the leaves are easily burned 

 by contact with this salt. 



Wliile large amounts of potash have been recommended 

 for many of our vegetables, and particularly for tomatoes, 

 there has been a tendency to increase the amount of phos- 



