facilitates future handling:, is to place it in barrels or boxes in 
layers with an equal amount of dry soil. 
Sheep manure, while not so concentrated as the preceding:, 
can be used in much the same way by increasing the quantity 
about 50 %. 
Bone meal is an important source of phosphoric acid; also con- 
tains some nitrogen. The coarser grades are rather slow acting 
and the food materials contained are not immediately available. 
It is used at the rate of 12 pounds to 400 square feet. Acid phos- 
phate, prepared from phosphatic rock, is another important fer- 
tilizer supplying phosphorus. It is used at the rate of 6-8 pounds 
to 400 square feet. 
Wood ashes contain potash and lime and small amounts of 
phosphoric acid. It is a fertilizer especially valuable on clayey 
soils, as it improves their physical condition. It is considered 
to be a valuable fertilizer for all fruits — apples, peaches, etc. — 
and for crops that are grown for their roots, such as beets and 
carrots. Use 20 pounds to 400 square feet. 
Sulphate of potash, muriate of potash, and kainit contain 
potash in a more concentrated form than the preceding, but 
these are scarce and practically unobtainable at present. 
Nitrate of soda is a very quick-acting fertilizer and is useful 
for stimulating the growth of plants in early spring when the 
nitrogen content of the soil is usually low. It is especially val- 
uable for crops that are grown for their leaves, such as cabbage, 
Swiss chard, spinach, and lettuce. Use 1£ to 2 pounds to 400 
square feet. As nitrate of soda is readily soluble in water, it 
should not be applied much before planting time or it will leach 
out of the soil before the crop can use it. The writer prefers to 
use this fertilizer as a top-dressing after the plants have started 
their growth, applying it at the rate of £ ounce to a square yard 
at intervals of about three weeks. All lumps must be crushed 
before using and care must be taken not to allow any to lodge on 
the leaves of the crop. Great caution must be exercised in the 
use of this fertilizer, especially in connection with crops that are 
grown for their roots or fruits, such as beets, carrots, peas, 
beans, and tomatoes, as it may result in the production of leaves 
at the expense of the part desired for use. Sulphate of ammonia 
and dried blood are other important sources of nitrogen. 
Acid phosphate, bone meal, nitrate of soda, and wood ashes are 
not what are known as “complete” fertilizers. That is, they do not 
provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. It is customary to use 
them in combination with other fertilizers or to supplement a 
complete organic fertilizer which may have a deficiency of one or 
more of the three elements most necessary as plant foods. It will 
be noticed, for instance, that wood ashes is part of the formula 
