72 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



plowed under in the spring, (2) clover, and (3) buckwheat. The latter could 

 be sown rather early and plowed under, and this would be especially useful 

 in destroying quack grass and Canada thistles. 



Sometimes, according to Mr. Raynor, commercial fertilizers are not 

 kept up to the formula but are of very inferior quality. In order to prove 

 this, it is best to send samples of any fertilizer we are using to the Experi- 

 mental Farm, at Ottawa, where they will be analyzed free of charge. The 

 actual value of the fertilizer can then be easily reckoned by knowing the 

 following market-value of the various constituents, viz. : Nitrogen twelve 

 to eighteen cents per pound ; phosphoric acid, five to nine cents ; potash, 

 three to five cents. The value of a commercial fertilizer further depends 

 upon the amount of the above elements which are in a soluble state, or 

 available condition for plant food. 



Superphosphate is especially difficult of advantageous application, 

 owing to the fact that the presence of lime in soils tends to render this 

 soluble phosphoric acid insoluble. Superphosphate is found to give the 

 best results on clay soil. 



Nitrogen is one of the important elements of commercial fertilizers, but, 

 on light soils, it is apt to leach away, unless there is some green manure to 

 retain it. Nitrogen is largely brought down from the air in the shape of 

 nitric acid. It is also supplied in stable manure, and is the principal 

 constituent of the urine of animals. This latter valuable fertilizer is fre- 

 quently allowed to waste in the stables, and absorbents should be carefully 

 employed to absorb it. Gypsum is frequently used as an absorbent, and 

 is invaluable for fixing the nitrogen in the form of nitrate, a condition of 

 the nitrogen which is soluble, and thus available for plant food. 



Nitrate of soda can be purchased as a special fertilizer for the orchard 

 and garden and is found to be highly beneficial in its immediate effects on 

 growing crops ; but, on account of its being soluble, it needs to be applied 

 in the growing season, that it may not be carried away beyond the reach 

 of the roots of the plants. 



The- fact is that, in gardening or orcharding, we need to make use of 

 every kind of manure within our reach, for the secret of success in this line 

 pre-eminently is found in the abundant use of fertilizers in connection 

 with constant cultivation. 



