FOOD FOR PLANTS 21 



applied in the various forms the crop increased over 

 that where no Nitrogen was applied, as shown in the 

 following table: 



Increase of Crop from Same Quantity of Nitrogen from 

 Different Sources. 



Relative 

 Sources of Nitrogen Crop Increase 



Nitrate o£ Soda 100 



Dried Blood 73 



Cotton-seed Meal 72 



Dry Fish 70 



Tankage 62 



Linseed Meal 78 



This table shows some interesting facts. It is evi- 

 dent that only about three-fourths as much of the 

 Nitrogen in dried blood or cotton-seed meal as in 

 Nitrate of Soda is available the first season. The 

 Nitrogen in tankage is even less available, only a 

 little over half being used by the crop. 



These experiments were made with corn, which 

 grows for a long period when the ground is warm 

 and the conditions most favorable to render the 

 Nitrogen in organic substances available, and yet 

 only part of it could be used by the crop. 



When it is considered that Nitrogen in the form of 

 Nitrate of Soda can be bought for as little or less per 

 pound than in almost any other form, the advantage 

 and economy of purchasing and using this form is 

 very apparent. 



Nitration as studied by means of the drainage 

 water of 6 plots of land, each 300 square yards in 

 area, during 4 years, shows that the loss of Nitrogen 

 in the drainage water was practically negligible. 



