140 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



NITRATE OF SODA -FOR SMALL FRUITS. 



HERE is no question at all as to the great advantages to the fruit 

 grower of having commercial fertilizers placed within his reach. 

 Formerly, his plantations were limited by the supply of manure, 

 and his only hope of enlargement was by increasing the number 

 of his stock, thus compelling him to unite his two lines of industry. But now 

 that the elements contained in barnyard manure can be obtained at a low price 

 in the shape of commercial fertilizers, the fruit grower is only limited by the 

 amount of his land and by his capital, for he can easily procure every needed 

 element of fertility. 



The three principle elements in barnyard manure are phosphoric acid, pot- 

 ash and nitrogen. These can be separately purchased, the first in the super- 

 phosphate or ground apatite rock, which is being quarried so extensively in the 

 county of Renfrew, and sold at about $18 per ton ; the second in muriate of 

 potash, or in wood ashes ; and the third in sulphate of ammonia, or in nitrate 

 of soda, the latter of which is now to be had at about $60 per ton. 



Having some inquiries respecting the use of nitrate of soda, we will at pre- 

 sent only speak of this substance. It is sometimes called Chili saltpetre, be- 

 cause it is imported in large quantities from Peru, in which country it is found 

 in a crude state incrusting the soil of a desert. Its value in the garden, like 

 that of other compounds of nitrogen, consists in its power to promote leaf 

 growth, and consequently the general health and vigor of plants. Sulphate of 

 ammonia has been largely used to furnish nitrogen, but of late nitrate of soda 

 has been offered at such reasonable prices that it has displaced the former to a 

 large extent. The application of from one to two hundred pounds per. acre will 

 give marked results and well repay the outlay. 



One caution needs to be observed, and that is to apply nitrate of soda in the 

 early part of the growing season, just when the plant most needs the stimulus, and 

 when it will not be likely to be leached away before being taken up. Its value 

 to the gardener has been so thoroughly proved by Mr. Joseph Harris, author of 

 " Walks and Talks," that we quote the following from his writings : 



"The effect of nitrate of soda on strawberries in the dry climate of the 

 United States is very beneficial. It not only doubles or trebles the yield, but the 

 strawberries are larger and handsomer, and conseqqently command a much higher 

 price in market. 



" No ordinary amount of manure will produce so great an effect, for the 

 reason that the plants grow and form their fruit early in the season. The nitrate 

 of soda furnishes the plants with nitric acid before the nitrogen of the manure 

 can be converted into this essential ingredient of plant food. 



" A few years ago, we published a statement in regard to the astonishing 

 effect of a large dressing of nitrate of soda on an old strawberry bed. The bed 



