S cientific A gricul ture . 



30 



[Jan. 1908. 



FLAX. 



In the cultivation of flax salt has proved to be very useful and necessary, the 

 effect of salt being noticeable both in seed and fibre. The general rule is to apply 

 from 2 to 4 cwt. per acre. 



TURNIPS, MANGOLDS, AND BEETROOT. 



These root crops are all benefited by the application of salt, in quality as 

 well as in quantity. It is considered to be the surest preventive of turnip fly and 

 mildew. Mangolds keep better, and are in other respects superior when salt is used. 

 Beets thrive in a marked degree when they get sufficient salt in the early stages 

 of their growth. Mixing salt with farmyard manure is a good plan, but top dressings 

 when the plants are fairly up, are often beneficial. 



SALT FOR GARDENS AND ORCHARDS. 



When applied early in Spring to gardens and orchards, at the rate of 2 ounces 

 per square yard or 6 cwt. per acre, salt has been found beneficial to all vegetables 

 and fruit trees, especially Peach, Cherry, and Apple trees, as well as to flowers. 

 Many practical gardeners recommend salt for the stock, Hyacinth, Amaryllis, Iris, 

 Anemone, Colchicum, Narcissus, and Ranunculus, &e. A heavier dressing of salt is 

 required for Seakale and Asparagus, both sea side plants. One per cent, solutions 

 are generally recommended for fruits and flowers. 



AMERICAN TESTIMONY AS TO THE FERTILISING VALUE OF SALT. 



(Reprinted by permission from the " Cultivator and Country Gentleman." 

 Albany, N.Y., U.S.A.) 



We will accept Professor S. W. Johnson as one who is familiar with Agri- 

 cultural Chemistry, and here is what he gives us on this point :— , 



The Ash of— 



Hay contains 



Oats 



Barley 



Wheat 



Rye 



Clover 



White Clover 

 Beets 



Beet Leaves 

 Sugar Beets 

 Turnips 

 Carrots 

 Rape 



Per cent. 

 Soda Chlorine. 



7 

 4-4 

 1*7 

 1-9 

 1 5 

 1-5 

 7-8 

 14-7 

 210 

 9-6 

 114 

 22 

 10-3 



8-0 

 4'4 

 56 

 53 

 4-3 

 5*4 

 3-2 

 6-6 



11- 3 

 2-0 

 41 

 71 



12- 4 



These are specimen figures of common crops, and there is not one in the full 

 category that might not be given if it were needed, to show that these two substances 

 are indispensable to the growth of all plants, as must be the case, or there would be 

 no animals living ; for salt is essential to animal life and animals feed on vegetables 

 directly or indirectly. 



Then it follows that as a plant will not grow unless every element in it is 

 supplied, and as it is the case that ages of washing of the soil by rains and floods 



