FOOD FOR PLANTS IS 



be relied upon to secure the largest yields of fruits 

 and grain. 



14. Under favorable conditions of moisture and 

 cultivation, these effects may be confidently antici- 

 pated upon all kinds of soils. 



15. All of the plant food contained in Nitrate of 

 Soda is available and existing in a soluble form. The 

 farmer should understand that it is not economical 

 to apply more of it than can be utilized by the crop; 

 one of the most valuable qualities of this fertilizer 

 being that it need not lie dormant in the soil from 

 one season to the next. 



16. The best results are secured when it is applied 

 during the early growing period of the plant. If 

 applied too late in the development of the plant, it 

 generally has a tendency to protract its growing 

 period and to delay the ripening of the fruit, as after 

 a liberal application of Nitrate of Soda, the energies 

 of the plant are immediately concentrated upon 

 developing its growth. This is true with a few 

 exceptions. 



17. The farmer must not expect it to excuse him 

 from applying proper principles of land drainage, or 

 cultivation of the soil, nor should Nitrate of Soda be 

 used in excessive quantities too close to the plants 

 that are fertilized with it. For most seeded crops, an 

 application of one hundred pounds to the acre is 

 sufficient when it is used alone. 



18. It may be applied in a dry state to either agri- 

 cultural or garden lands by sowing it broadcast, or 

 by means of any fertilizer-distributing machine. It 

 can be applied to the surface, or it may be cultivated 

 into the soil by some light agricultural implement, 



