The Soil of the Garden 67 
analysis, about 4 per cent nitrogen, 8 per cent phos- 
phoric acid, and ro per cent potash. Such a fertilizer 
may be applied at the rate of about 3 to 5 pounds to 
every 100 square feet of area. 
The following mixture, in accordance with the propor- 
tions just given, has been recommended? as best for 
general garden crops: 
Sodium nitrate ...... 125 Ib., yielding 20 lb. nitrogen 
Ammonium sulfate . . . . roo lb., yielding 20 lb." nitrogen 
Tankage ......... 600 Ib., yielding 40 lb. nitrogen and 
54 lb. phosphoric acid 
Acid phosphate... ... 775 \b., yielding 109 lb. phosphoric acid 
Potassium sulfate or potas- 
sium chlorid ...... 400 lb., yielding 200 Ib. potash 
2000 lb. (total weight) 
This mixture is used at the rate of about 1000 pounds 
to an acre, or about 23 pounds to 100 square feet of 
area; but on small home gardens as many as 5 pounds 
to 100 square feet of area may profitably be used. 4 
Such a fertilizer may be bought with the different 
substances mixed together, or the gardener may buy 
the materials separately and mix them for himself. 
One pound of sodium nitrate, 1 pound of potassium 
sulfate, and 3 pounds of acid phosphate, mixed thor- 
oughly, will make up an amount sufficient for use on an 
area of 100 square feet. By codperative buying the 
members of a garden class or club can often save money 
on the fertilizer that they use. 
Many soils are deficient in phosphorus. As manure 
is also deficient in this element, acid phosphate should 
' Van Slyke, Fertilizers and Crops. 
