294 Fertilizers 



proper formation of the head ; hence a part of the nitro- 

 gen essential for the growth of the plant after the 

 head has begun to form should be applied at this time 

 in an immediately available form, and a part in forms 

 which will gradually feed the plant. A good method of 

 fertilization, in addition to the application of from 1000 

 to 1500 pounds to the acre of the basic fertilizer, there- 

 fore, may consist of a top-dressing of 100 pounds of nitrate 

 of soda and 200 of superphosphate to the acre, after the 

 plants have begun to make growth after transplanting. 

 After the heads begin to form, another top-dressing of 

 200 pounds of nitrate of soda may be applied, which will 

 contribute toward a rapid and continuous growth of head, 

 provided an abundance of the minerals is present, as 

 already indicated. 



A number of crops belonging to this group of plants 

 require, in addition to a sufficient supply of plant-food, 

 peculiar climatic conditions for their best crop develop- 

 ment. Cauliflower, particularly, not only seems to be so 

 influenced, but great skill and experience are required on 

 the part of the grower. It must be remembered that 

 while proper fertilization is essential, it is only one of the 

 primary conditions of successful culture. 



POT HERBS 



Beet, chard, dandelion, mustard, sea kale and spinach, 

 grown for their tops or the edible portion of the leaf, are 

 encouraged in their development by an abundance of 

 available nitrogen, as this element is the one which con- 

 tributes more than any other to formation of leaf. Abun- 

 dant growth of the right sort is only accomplished when it 

 is present in such quantities and in such forms as to con- 



