38 



Superphosphates and dissolved bones may be used in con- 

 junction with sulphate of ammonia, but with none of the materials 

 above named. 



Nitrate of soda, being quick acting, is best applied at the 

 commencement of the growing season, but must, owing to its 

 activity, be cautiously and sparingly used ; it would be wasteful to 

 use it with sulphate of ammonia or guano, and it must not be 

 applied along with any form of dung. 



The same applies to sulphate of ammonia which, however, is 

 somewhat less immediately active, and is not readily obtainable at 

 the Cape, while on no account must it be brought into contact with 

 basic slag, although it is safely and frequently used along with 

 superphosphates. 



Potash salts have no harmful reactions with other manures, 

 natural or artificial, though their use in large quantities tends to 

 cause the surface of the soil to cake and become compact and 

 impermeable to water. 



As regards manuring at different ages, I have no knowledge, 

 but theory would indicate an increase in the proportion of potash 

 during early years, to give wood, and of extra phosphates as soon 

 as the tree is coming into bearing, while the amount of nitrogen 

 will vary inversely as the luxuriance of the foliage." [We 

 endorse this. ED.] 



Dates of Manuring. During vegetative season only nitrate of 

 soda (also recovered nitre), sulphate of ammonia and liquid 

 manure. 



Farmyard manure, lime, potash, salts and bone meal, early in 

 the dead season, mixture, " complete " fertilizers, guano, supers 

 and dissolved bones later on. Green manure crops any time. 



In conclusion we would mention the urgent necessity of 

 prompt legislation to regulate the sale of fertilizers. No mer- 

 chant should be permitted to invoice a consignment without hav- 

 ing the guaranteed analysis of the particular goods he is so sup- 

 plying clearly printed on his invoice form. It is not that we dis- 

 trust our merchants, but the world has legislated already in this 

 direction, and the want of a similar Act here enables unscrupulous 

 dealers abroad to use South Africa as a dumping ground for their 

 low-grade stuff, and with our heavy steamship and railway rates 

 it is a matter of the greatest urgency that farmers secure the 

 highest grade fertilizers on a guaranteed analysis. 



