No. 4.] KEEPING UP FERTILITY. 107 



when there is much moisture sulphate will produce a much 

 better quality. 



There is some evidence that the muriate, if applied during 

 the autumn or winter, will answer equally well. 1 have 

 planned to test this point the coming season. I am aw^are 

 that many prefer ashes as a source of potash, and it is doubt- 

 less true that their physical and chemical effect on many 

 soils gives them an advantage. When, however, one is 

 looking for a material which will furnish available potash 

 for least money, he cannot afford to take ashes. The potash 

 in them generally costs about eight or nine cents per pound. 

 In the muriate it can be bought for about four and one- 

 eighth cents per pound. 



How TO KEEP UP Fertility with Fertilizers. 



In summing up the whole question of the best method of 

 using fertilizers, I have to say that I am strongly impressed 

 with the wisdom of the plan proposed by Wagner, which you 

 will find described at length in a translation by Dr. Chas. 

 Wellington, pul^lished in the Agricultural College report 

 for 1890. Stated as briefly as possible, the plan is as fol- 

 lows : — 



Since phosphoric acid and potash are retentively held by 

 soils, it is recommended to apply these liberally during a 

 series of years, selecting for the purpose the cheapest forms, 

 with a view to accumulating a reserve or working capital of 

 each. It should be remembered that a very large excess 

 of either may prove injurious. There is, however, little 

 danger that the average man who depends upon the farm for 

 a livelihood will apply enough to be harmful. Continue 

 this lil)eral yearly application as finances make possible, 

 until a simple experiment, that is, leaving it out on a jjart 

 of the field, shows that a further application will produce no 

 increase in the crop. Thereafter from year to year aim to 

 apply a little larger amount of each than the crop removes 

 from the field. This very slight excess may serve to cover 

 any possible loss of any constituent. 



I would advise the opening of an account with each field. 

 On the one side charge it with the food applied ; on the 

 other, credit it with the plant food recovered in the crop. 



