The Soil of the Garden 67 



analysis, about 4 per cent nitrogen, 8 per cent phos- 

 phoric acid, and 10 per cent potash. Such a fertilizer 

 may be applied at the rate of about 3 to 5 pounds to 

 every 100 square feet of area. 



The following mixture, in accbrdance with the propor- 

 tions just given, has been recommended 1 as best for 

 general garden crops : 



Sodium nitrate 125 lb., yielding 20 Ib. nitrogen 



Ammonium sulfate .... 100 lb., yielding 20 lb. nitrogen 



Tankage 600 lb., yielding 40 lb. nitrogen and 



54 lb. phosphoric acid 



Acid phosphate 775 lb., yielding 109 lb. phosphoric acid 



Potassium sulfate or potas- 

 sium chlorid 400 lb., yielding 200 lb. potash 



2000 lb. (total weight) 



This mixture is used at the rate of about 1000 pounds 

 to an acre, or about i\ pounds to 100 square feet of 

 area ; but on small home gardens as many as 5 pounds 

 to 100 square feet of area may profitably be used. 



Such a fertilizer may be bought with the different 

 substances mixed together, or the gardener may buy 

 the materials separately and mix them for himself. 

 One pound of sodium nitrate, i pound of potassium 

 sulfate, and 3 pounds of acid phosphate, mixed thor- 

 oughly, will make up an amount sufficient for use on an 

 area of 100 square feet. By cooperative buying the 

 members of a garden class or club can often save money 

 on the fertilizer that they use. 



Many soils are deficient in phosphorus. As manure 

 is also deficient in this element, acid phosphate should 



1 Van Slyke, Fertilizers and Crops. 



