304 Fertilizers 



The fertilization suggested above may be used with 

 absolute safety and excellent results may be obtained, but 

 it should be kept in mind that investigators and growers 

 differ greatly regarding the fertilizing of asparagus. 

 While it is conceded that nitrogen is the most important 

 element, the form and time of application are still matters 

 of contention. As an alternative method, Watts makes 

 the following suggestions : "If seeds and plants have been 

 selected intelligently and all cultural conditions are favor- 

 able, the following treatment should give good results: 

 Apply 10 to 15 tons of fine manure early in spring, or 

 probably with as much benefit immediately after the 

 cutting season ; one and one-half tons of a 4-8-10 mixture, 

 half applied in early spring, and half immediately after 

 the first cutting ; 150 pounds of nitrate of soda by broad- 

 casting as soon as growth begins in the spring ; 150 pounds 

 of nitrate of soda when the cutting season is half over; 

 150 pounds of nitrate of soda at the close of the cutting 

 season and the same quantity one month later." 



Rhubarb. 



Rhubarb is a crop somewhat similar to asparagus, in 

 that it is a perennial, and that the best fertilization is one 

 which not only provides food for the growth of the imme- 

 diate crop, but which encourages the growth of top after 

 the regular crop is harvested, and thus restores the vitality 

 of the plant which has been weakened by the continu- 

 ous removal of the stalk and leaf and enables it to 

 store up energy for the subsequent crop. An annual 

 application of 1500 pounds of the basic formula (p. 287) 

 early in the spring, preferably plowed in, may be followed 

 with advantage by a top-dressing of 150 pounds to the 

 acre of nitrate of soda in about two weeks after harvesting 



