SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF FEEDING 73 



mental can only be determined when probably 

 too late. Unless you desire to experiment, 

 regardless of results, it will be the part of 

 wisdom to err on the side of safety. Clear 

 water, judiciously applied, acts as a restrain- 

 ing and rectifying agent, dissolving, diluting, 

 and distributing the chemicals which the 

 soil contains, as well as bringing them in 

 contact with the roots in the only form 

 (soluble) that they can absorb them, and, 

 with proper drainage, carrying away excess 

 and minimizing the danger of any chemicals 

 accumulating in the soil in sufficient quan- 

 tity to do injury. It is also better to change 

 the kind of liquid fertilizer at least every 

 week. Having given the plants a watering 

 with lime water, followed by a week of 

 watering alternately with cow manure and 

 clear water, some other form of food may 

 be supplied. 



NITRATE OF SODA 



This is an excellent medium for supplying 

 the plant with nitrogen, and, when judi- 

 ciously used, will generally benefit the plants 

 greatly. It is entirely safe to use at the 

 rate of one half a tablespoonful (equal to 



