FEEDING 49 



V 



and with safety. Growers have observed the benefits 

 to be derived from them when used with discretion, 

 their potency being in proportion to the needs of 

 the plants for the special elements they supply. Of 

 these, two of the most material are nitrogen and 

 potash. 



If the grower be dealing with soil of a light, 

 sandy nature it will probably stand substantial addi- 

 tions of l$>th nitrogen and potash when the plants 

 have advanced to the stage of bud formation. On the 

 other hand, if the soil be somewhat tenacious or of 

 clayey character, potash is still likely to be present 

 in sufficient quantity for the plant's needs, and to add 

 more would be an error, but an addition of a nitroge- 

 nous substance might prove most beneficial. Sulphate 

 of ammonia is a good source of supply when the need of 

 the plants is for additional nitrogen, as the ordinary 

 commercial product generally contains twenty per cent 

 of nitrogen, and, being readily soluble in water, it can 

 be both effectively and economically supplied, but 

 always in solution to avoid waste, risk of injury, and 

 to give immediate benefit. One pound of sulphate of 

 ammonia dissolved in a fifty-gallon barrel of -water is 

 perfectly safe in the hands of anyone, assuming, of 

 course, that the condition of the plants justifies the 

 application. Xitrate of soda is also used by reason of 

 its large content of nitrogen in the most available form 

 for the immediate use of the plant. It may be ap- 

 plied in like manner and in similar quantity. It has 

 also a beneficial effect in other ways and its applica- 

 tion sometimes shows speedy results. For example, 

 the growth may be health}', yet the leaves may lack 

 tone of color, being of a light green, or lacking sub- 

 stance. When such a condition is manifest an ap- 

 plication of nitrate of soda will generally be correct 



