438 GARDEN FARMING 



Fertilizers. Since the tomato is grown exclusively for its fruit 

 those fertilizers which induce a large growth of plant and foliage 

 are not desirable. Soils vary greatly in regard to the amount of 

 available plant food they contain. The use of a fertilizer is deter- 

 mined largely by the character, mechanical condition, and compo- 

 sition of the soil. If a soil is deficient in all the essential elements 

 of plant food, namely, nitrogen, potash, and phosphoric acid, 

 the application of any one or even two of these elements will not 

 materially influence the yield of the crop. In such cases a com- 

 plete fertilizer must be used ; one containing a small percentage 

 of nitrogen (i or 2 per cent) with a large percentage of potash 

 (from 4 to 6 per cent) and phosphoric acid (from 8 to 1 2 per cent) 

 is considered most desirable. On soils deficient in potash or phos- 

 phoric acid or in both, little would be gained by adding nitrogen. 

 Economy of operation, as well as the general effect upon the soil, 

 must also be considered. This may be influenced by the character 

 of the season, but should be based on the increased yield and the 

 increased net receipts from the crop. 



The best and most economical fertilizers to be applied upon any 

 given soil must be determined by the grower by actual test. For- 

 tunately in most states where tomato culture is an important in- 

 dustry, the state experiment stations have conducted tests of great 

 value in this connection. A very simple test of different fertilizers 

 may be made by setting aside a section in one corner of the field 

 or in some place where the soil is uniform and representative of 

 the entire field. 



A plan for a fertilizer test. Use some good standard variety 

 and divide the planting area into plots of 10 plants each, and treat 

 somewhat as follows : 



Plot i . Nitrate of soda, ^ Ib. to i o plants. 



Plot 2. Muriate of potash, ^ Ib. to 10 plants. 



Plot 3. Phosphate, 2 Ib. to 10 plants. 



Plot 4. Nitrate of soda, -| Ib. ; muriate of potash, - Ib. to 10 plants. 



Plot 5. Phosphate, 2 Ib. ; muriate of potash, Ib. to 10 plants. 



Plot 6. Nitrate of soda, -| Ib. ; phosphate, 2 Ib. to 10 plants. 



Plot 7. Nitrate of soda, ^ Ib. ; phosphate, 2 Ib. ; muriate of potash, J Ib. 



to 10 plants. 



Plot 8. Barnyard manure, i shovelful to each plant. 



Plot 9. No fertilizer or manure. 



