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FERTILIZERS FOR VEGETABLES 



(2) In the growing of vegetables, quality, quantity and, 

 in many cases, earliness are points of greatest importance. 

 Under quality we include flavor, texture, form, size, color and 

 shipping and keeping quality. High or desirable qualities 

 are largely dependent on conditions that make possible quick 

 and continuous growth. 



(3) Under favorable conditions of soil, light, warmth 

 and moisture, the quality of vegetables can be controlled to 

 a considerable extent by judicious regulation of the kinds 

 and amounts of plant-food furnished. 



(4) Nitrogen largely controls the growth of stems and 

 leaves and through them the general development of the plant. 

 In vegetables the stems and leaves of which constitute the 

 marketable portion, quality can be greatly influenced by 

 nitrogen applications. Nitrogen regulates the amounts of 

 phosphorus and potassium plants use and, therefore, the 

 general growth of all crops. 



(5) Phosphorus compounds along with calcium favor the 

 development of seedlings and stimulation of root growth. 

 Such early start under favorable conditions affects the earli- 

 ness of the crop. 



(6) Potassium compounds are of special importance in 

 growing vegetables that store up starch and sugar in the 

 marketable portion. 



(7) Some special soil conditions to be controlled are 

 abundance of organic matter and calcium carbonate. Light 

 soils should be modified to hold moisture and heavy soils to 

 become more open. 



(8) The plant-food materials best suited for use in re- 

 spect to economy, availability and accessibility are nitrate 

 of soda, sulphate of ammonia, meat tankage, acid phosphate, 

 sulphate and muriate of potash. 



(9) In the use of fertilizers in growing vegetables, it is 

 best to apply generous amounts of nitrogen but to make 

 sure at the same time that neither phosphorus nor potassium 

 is deficient. 



(10) In general, if vegetable crops are grown so as to 

 furnish products of high quality, the quantity will take care 

 of itself. 



