UNIVERSITY Or ILLINOIS LIBRARY at urbana-c;-:awra;gm i^GKSTACKS Phosphoric Acid Potash M'V • ■ 3 Nitrogen 5 Comoiete Fertilizers How to save money on Fertilizers o Ammonia and Nitrogen Fertilizers for Wheat How to apply Nitrate of Soda to Wheat 12 Fertilizers for Barley ^ ~> “ “ Oats ^ “ Potatoes - ‘"T ■■ “ Sweet Potatoes 1® “ " Tobacco ' ' - Grass 19 and 29 “ " Garden Crops 20 23 “ “ Tomatoes « “ Peaches. »***•« ....... ,v .. ,z24 Raspberries, Currants, Gooseberries',' -etc.1' 26 Nitrate of Soda for Strawberries' iTz. . . iV.'V: '.tv. Wvt F2S Nitrate" “ " Asparagus ... . ... , -;27 Hew to apply Nitrate of Soda and other Fertilizers,- **- How and where to Buy...K ertihzing . Materials . a.*. : . .. t ■ • v; l * h a FOOD FOR PLANTS. ^ [From the writings of Joseph Harris, M. S. Edited and revised by S. M. Harris. ] It is well known that animals, and especially young animals, must have all t lie food they can eat in order to properly develop and grow fat. This is equally true of plants. Plants will manage to live on very little food, but to grow, thrive and bear fruit they require an abundance of food in the soil. The food of plants consists of a number of elements, including Nitrogen, Phosphorus (in the form of phosphoric acid), Lime, Magnesia, Iron, Silica, Potash, etc. A sufficient quantity of all these necessary elements, except Nitrogen. Phosphoric Acid and Potash, exists in nearly all agricultural soils. Nitrogen is nearly always deficient, Phosphoric Acid usually, and Potash often. In some soils there may be enough of all the elements of plant food except one. Let us assume that this one is Nitrogen. In this case the growth and yield of the crop will be limited by the quantity of Nitrogen it can obtain. There might be an abundant supply of all the other elements, but the plants could not use them without Nitrogen. This would be true of any one of the other elements that might be deficient. The plants must have them all at the same time to develop in perfection. What the farmer and gardener must do therefore is to furnish the plants 5 with the elements of plant-food that are lacking in the soil. N itrogen is the one that is nearly always deficient. This is due to the fact that Nitrogen in a soluble form is easily washed out of the soil, while Phosphoric Acid, Potash and the other mineral elements will not wash out. The question that presents itself to the farmer, gardener, and fruit grower, is, How can I supply my plants with Nitrogen, Phosphoric Acid and Potash, in the best forms and at the least expense? We will try to throw some light upon rhhTTJuestion in the following pages. We will take first, PHOSPHORIC ACID. There are two principal sources of phosphoric acid, namely, bones and rock phosphates. Of these the rock phosphate is the cheapest source. A prevailing impression exists that superphosphate made from rock phosphate is not as 34.23 per ton and the actual agricultural value $25.66 per ton. By this is meant that the same amount of actual plant food that is contained in the “complete fertilizers,” costing - $34.23, could be purchased in the open market, in just; as good forms, for $25.66. As a matter of fact, it could be purchased for much less than this in quantities of ten tons or more. In one ton of the above “ average fertilizer,” selling for $34.23, there is 154 pounds available phosphoric acid, which can be bought for 5^ cents per pound in superphosphate or “ acid phosphate,” as it is called by the trade. This 154 lbs. of phosphoric acid is therefore worth $8.09. There is 54 4-5 pounds nitrogen, which can be bought in nitrate of soda for 15 cents per pound, making it worth $S.22 ; 90 pounds potash, worth 4^2 cents per pound, equals $4.05, making in all $20.36- for the plant-food contained m a ton costing $34.23. But this does not tell the whole story. The nitrogen contained in these “ complete fertilizers ” is often in a form that is not available to the plants until it has under- gone decomposition in the soil and become converted into nitrate. The time required to do this varies from a few days to years, according to the temperature of the soil and the material used to furnish nitrogen. In calculating the value of Complete Fertilizers, nitrogen in the form of sulphate of ammonia, which has to be converted into nitrate before it is available, is reckoned at 2 ceins per pound higher than it can be bought in the form of nitrate t)f soda. This is not because the nitrogen in. sulphate- of ammonia is any better than in nitrate of soda, but because it costs more. This makes the fertilizers appear to be worth more than they really are. But' taking the figures as they are given, it is readily seen that the consumer of these complete fertilizers pays on the average $8.57 per ton more than would buy the same amount of plant-food in as good, and in the case of nitrogen, better chemicals. Statistics gathered by the stations sh million dollars was spent in 1S91 in the St alone for “complete fertilizers.” Con average “ complete fertilizer ” costs 25 pt it is worth, it is evident that the farme paid $250,000 more for their fertilizers th in return. And this state of things is m State of New Jersey. It is the same all The farmers of this country are pav of dollars annually to the manufacture fertilizers which they could very ea: exercise of a little intelligence in buyint HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON F Would you not think a man very “ gr buy somebody’s “Complete Prepared f price, when he wanted feed tor his horses, into the market and buying corn, oats, a prices ? The “ Complete Prepared Food be composed of corn, oats and hay mixed price would be perhaps twice as much as t hay would cost separately. It is the same You should buy your plant-food in the b forms, and feed it to the plants separately c as you prefer. You can buy available nitr soda for less than 15 cents per pound. Ir izers, or what are usually called “ Phosj costs from 20 to 30 cents per pound, am often in an insoluble and unavailable form J\ritrate of Soda is at the present time the form in which to buy available nitrogen. ^ ou can buy soluble Phosphorie Acid, in of Lime made from rock phosphate, for al 23 rm, Jlie profit is $100 per acre. If we get • per ton, the profit, less the extra cost of re, is $400 per acre. > as asparagus, however, doubling the yield .rate of soda does not tell half the story. sold by the bunch, weighing about 2j4 prices range, according to earliness and > cents to 25 cents per bunch at wholesale, '-•00 per ton. 'tit all thes • considerations and assuming d asparagus yields three tons per acre per ton, and that the nitrated asparagus per acre and sells for $200 per ton, the A • > crops, less the extra cost for labor and >llows: Nitrate of Soda, .$100 per acre, note of Soda, su.ooo per acre. y is to apply in the fall 400 pounds super- xuinds muriate of potash and 100 pounds i’vr acre, sown broadcast. Early in the -cast 300 to 400 pounds nitrate of soda per PPLY NITRATE OF SODA AMD THER FERTILIZERS. : to do is to prepare the fertilizers and, if “ '• ;’-t the same time, to mix them together. ' ■ .'tnes from South America in bags which a pounds each. It is usually sold in the ::e nitrate looks much like coarse salt and - 1 mto large lumps. These lumps should be m easily be done by turning the nitrate out r -UH1 striking the lumps with the back of • ■ ate should then be run through a sieve larger than one-fourth inch. It will then and in the case of nitrogen, better form in . unmixed chemicals. Statistics gathered by the stations show that over one million dollars was spent in 1891 in the State of New Jersey alone for ‘complete fertilizers.” Considering that the average “ complete fertilizer ” costs 25 per cent, more than it is worth, it is evident that the farmers of New Jersey paid $250,000 more for their fertilizers than they got value in return. And this state of things is not confined to the State of New Jersey. It is the same all over the country. The farmers of this country are paying out millions of dollars annually to the manufacturers of “complete fertilizers which they could very easily save by the exercise of a little intelligence in buying their plant-food. HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON FERTILIZERS. Would you not think a man very “green” who should buy somebody’s “Complete Prepared Food,” at a high price, when he wanted feed for his horses, instead of going into the market and buying corn, oats, and hay, at market prices ? The “ Complete Prepared Food ” would probably be composed of corn, oats and hay mixed together, and the price would be perhaps twice as much as the corn, oats, and hay would cost separately. It is the same with plant-food. You should buy your plant-food in the best and cheapest forms, and feed it to the plants separately or mixed together as jou pretei. \ 011 can buy available nitrogen in nitrate of soda for less than 15 cents per pound. In complete fertil- izers, or what are usually called “ Phosphates,” nitrogen ' costs from 20 to 30 cents per pound, and even then, it is often in an insoluble and unavailable form. Nitrate, of Soda is at the present time the cheapest and best form in which to buy available nitrogen. You can buy soluble Phosphoric Acid, in Superphosphate of Lime made from rock phosphate, for about 6 cents per pound (the superphosphate costing from $15 to $17 per ton, retail), or in bone black, which is made from bones that have been used during the process of refining sugar, for about 7 cents per pound. These are, I think, at present, the two cheapest sources of soluble Phosphoric Acid. Potash can be bought, in Muriate of Potash, for about 4^ cents per pound. This is the cheapest source of potash. Let us see what a “High Grade Complete Fertilizer” made from these three sources of plant-food would cost. 600 pounds Nitrate of Soda, containing 46 pounds Nitrogen, costs *3 5° 1,100 pounds Superphosphate, containing 150 pounds Phos- phoric Acid, costs ® “5 too pounds Muriate of Potash, containing 150 pounds Potash, 6 75 costs 2,000 pounds, or one ton, costs 5° This fertilizer would contain Nitrogen 5 per cent., (equal to over 6 per cent, of Ammonia,) Phosphoric Acid 7 yi per cent., and Potash 7 >'+ per cent. A “ Complete Fertilizer,” containing as high a percentage of Nitrogen, Phosphoric Acid and Potash as the above mixture, would cost at least $35.00, and nine manufacturers out of ten would charge $45 00 f°r it ; and even then the Nitrogen would not be in a form in which it would be immediately availaole. If a fertilizer is wanted that contains no more Nitrogen than the majority of the complete fertilizers or “ Phosphates sold for $28.00 per ton, it could be made for about $22.00 per ton. „ ’ . „ - AMMONIA AND NITROGEN. The manufacturers of fertilizers usually guarantee their fertilizers to contain a certain percentage of Ammonia instead of Nitrogen. They do this probably because the amount sounds larger when expressed in Ammonia than in Nitrogen. Ammonia is a compound c hydrogen, and 3 pounds of Ammonia 01 pounds of Nitrogen. Are the Farmers of England and Intelligent Than Their America It certainly seems so. The English farmers instead of buying their nitrogen in izers and paying over 20 cents per pound f the year 1S90 over eight hundred Lhousai of nitrate of soda as a fertilizer, while not; were used as a fertilizer in America. 1 hec of soda in Europe has steadily increased following table : Exports of nitrate of soda from Chile during December 31, 1S90: ' 1385 18S6 1887 ' 1SS8 1SS9... 1S90 American farmers, gardeners and fruit posed to be ready to catch on to a goc soon as our agricultural papers let them regard to the great value of nitrate of : our farmers will not be slow to use it. T little is said about nitrate of soda, is simpl that there is “ no money in the trade.” I everybody can sell and -consequently no advertise it. The manufacturers of “co pay the agricultural papers large sums ot for advertising, and consequently the edi publish anything that might injure this friends of agriculture, however, will be pi there was a decided increase in the dem erphosphate costing from $15 to $17 per 1 bone black, which is made from bones that 1 during the process of refining sugar, for per pound. These are, I think, at present, r sources of soluble Phosphoric Acid. : bought, in Muriate of Potash, for about >und. This is the cheapest source of potash. chat a “High Grade Complete Fertilizer” ' three sources of plant-food would cost, of Soila, containing- 46 pounds Nitrogen, $13 50 xphosphate, containing 150 pounds Phos- sts • g 2- ; of Potash, containing 150 pounds Potash, 6 75 or one ton, costs £28 50 • would contain Nitrogen 5 per cent., (equal r.t. of Ammonia,) Phosphoric Acid 7^ per h G/{ Per cent. Iertilizer,” containing as high a percentage tosphoric Acid and Potash as the above 't ;lt 1-ast $35.00, and nine manufacturers .1 charge $35.00 for it ; and even then the . not be in a form in which it would be filable. wanted that contains no more Nitrogen v "t tlie complete fertilizers or “ Phosphates ” per ton, it could be made for about $22.00 IONIA AND NITROGEN. urers of iertilizers usually guarantee their mtain a certain percentage of Ammonia . I he} do this probably because the 1 irger when expressed in Ammonia than in Nitrogen. Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, and 3 pounds of Ammonia only contains 2>< pounds of Nitrogen. Are the Farmers of England and Europe More Intelligent Than Their American Cousins ? It certainly seems so. The English and European farmers instead of buying their nitrogen in complete fertil- izers and paying over 20 cents per pound for it, used during the year 1890 over eight hundred thousand (800,000) tons of nitrate of soda as a fertilizer, while not ten thousand tons were used as a fertilizer in America. The demand for nitrate of soda in Europe has steadily increased as shown by the following table : Exports of nitrate of soda from Chile during the six years ending December 31, 1S90: Tons of 2,240 lbs. ^Ss.. 425,000 1 386 440000 i887 700,000 iSSS . 750,000 1SS9... 930.000 1890 1,050,000 American farmers, gardeners and fruit growers are sup- posed to be ready to “catch on” to a good thing. And as soon as our agricultural papers let them know the facts in regard to the great value of nitrate of soda as a fertilizer our farmers will not be slow to use it. The reason why so little is said about nitrate of soda, is simply owing to the fact that there is “ no money in the trade.” It is an article that everybody can sell and consequently no one can afford to advertise it. The manufacturers of “complete fertilizers” pay the agricultural papers large sums of money every year for advertising, and consequently the editors do not like to publish anything that might injure this trade. The real friends of agriculture, however, will be pleased to know that there was a decided increase in the demand for nitrate of soda in this country the past spring. As soon as the farmers demand it, the importers and dealers in fertilizers will be glad to keep the nitrate for sale, and sooner or later will advertise it. In the meantime, if your agricultural paper does not tell you about nitrate of soda and how to use it, take a paper that keeps up with the science and practice of the age. FERTILIZERS FOR WHEAT, The Royal Agricultural Society of England have con- ducted experiments with fertilizers on wheat for over 20 years on the same land on the Duke of Bedford’s estate at Woburn. The results are shown in the following table: - " | j Yield per Acre of Wheat in Bush. Description of Manures. | — — — — — 1SS1 1 332 iss3 i3S4 1S85 1SS6 CO co iSSS 1. No Manure 25 tj 16 23 21 13 22 II 2. Mineral Manures, (Super- phosphate and Potash) . . 2s 15 17 22 22 15 is II 3. Same as No. 2 and 275 lbs. Nitrate of Soda. . . . 45 33 3s 43 30 31 40 3r It should not be forgotten that these are the results with nitrate of soda on wheat grown year after year continuously on the same land. In such conditions, unquestionably more or less nitrogen is lost, and consequently we do not get as profitable results from its use as in ordinary rotation on a well-managed and properly cultivated farm. One thing is absolutely proved, however, and that is that wheat must have nitrogen. -> THE BEST FORM OF NITROGEN FOR WHEAT. Some interesting experiments were conducted by Prof. H. A. Huston, at the Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station, at Lafayette, Indiana, during the season of 1890-51, to determine the best form of nitrogen for wheat. We quote what Professor Hi result of the experiments, in Bulletin No. “The forms of nitrogen selected were nitrate of blood, and sulphate of ammonia. The main objec: nitrate of soda with dried blood, and the sulpt introduced into the series for comparative pur[ nitrogen used in nearly alt commercial fertilizers at nitrogen ot organic compounds like bone meal or c< It is well established that nitrate of soda is su ammonia for wheat, but comparatively little seen relative merits of nitrate of soda and organic ni price of ammonia salts is such that they are r compounding fertilizers, and it so happens that th compounds is used in the so-called ‘ ammoniated of Soda furnishes more nitrogen for the same difficult to keep a mixture of super-phosphate and - Here follows a table of the results, w room to give. Professor Huston goes on "It will be noticed that the nitrate of soda gave the gain being nearly double that for the organ! one-half more than that for the ammonia compoun the whole no advantage from the use of fractional the case of the ammonia compound there was a de< applications.’' The results of changing the form c different stages of the growth of the p Table II. We have not room to reproc Professor Huston'-s remarks which follow result : •• Here the nitrate of soda seems to be the cont far as the appearance of the plants indicated, th from change of form. All the plants in this series applied looked practically alike from the beginn experiment. No appreciable difference could b* the opening of spring up to April 10-15. betwe' nitrogen had been applied and those whicn hac On April aoth'the plats to which nitrogen had t darker color and the plants were larger with broac try the past spring. As soon as the farmers ’.'.porters and dealers in fertilizers will be nitrate for sale, and sooner or later will the meantime, if your agricultural paper about nitrate of soda and how to use it, keeps up with the science and practice of ’ILIZERS FOR WHEAT. rtcultu ral Society of England have con- U' with fertilizers on wheat for over 20 : land on the Duke of Bedford’s estate at suits are shown in the following table: VNUKES. Yield per Acre of Wheat ix Bush. 1SS1 1SS2 TSS3 rSS-t iss5 16S6 i3S7 iSSS 25 13 16 23 21 13 nn II >, (Super- 1’otash). . 28 15 1 17 22 0 0 15 is 1 1 and 275 Soda. . . . 45 33 3S 43 30 3i 40 31 -• forgotten that these are the results with wheat grown year after year continuously In such conditions, unquestionably more ■ lost, and consequently we do not get as rom its use as in ordinary rotation on a properly cultivated farm. One thing is , however, and that is that wrheat must form of nitrogen for WHEAT. g experiments were conducted by Prof., t the Purdue University Agricultural on, at I.afayette, Indiana, during the , to determine the best form of nitrogen fjji- w*m 11 for wheat. We quote what Professor Huston says on the result of the experiments, in Bulletin No. 36, August, 1891 : “The forms of nitrogen selected were nitrate cf soda, azotine or dried blood, and sulphate of ammonia. The main object was a comparison of nitrate of soda with dried blood, and the sulphate of ammonia was introduced into the series for comparative purposes. The forms of nitrogen used in nearly all commercial fertilizers are dried bicod. and the nitrogen ot organic compounds like bone meai or cotton-seed meal. It is well established that nitrate of soda is superior to sulphate of ammonia for wheat, but comparatively little seems to be known of the relative merits of nitrate of soda and organic nitrogen. The present price of ammonia salts is such that they are not generally used in compounding fertilizers, and it so happens that the nitrogen ot organic compounds is used in rhe so-called “ ammoniated" fertilizers. Nitrate of Soda furnishes more nitrogen for the same money, but it is very difficult to keep a mixture of super-phosphate and nitrate of soda.” Here follows a table of the results, which we have not room to give. Professor Huston goes on to say : ‘ Tt will be noticed that the nitrate of soda gave by far the best results, the gain being nearly double that for the organic nitrogen, and about one-half more than that for the ammonia compounds. There appears on the whole no advantage from the use of fractional applications, while in the case of the ammonia compound there was a decided loss in fractional applications.” The results of changing the form of the nitrogen at different stages of the growth of the plants are given in Table II. We have not room to reproduce this table, but Professor Huston;s remarks which follow give the practical result : “ Here the nitrate of soda seems to be the controlling factor, and, so far as the appearance of the plants indicated, there was no advantage from change.of form. All the plants in this series to which nitrogen was applied looked practically alike from the beginning to the end of the experiment. No appreciable difference could be seen in the fall, or at the opening of spring up to April 10-15, between the plats to which nitrogen had been applied and those which had received no nitrogen. On April 20th the plats to which nitrogen had been applied showed a darker color and the plants were larger with broader leaves. From this time on tne nitrate of soda plats seemed to lead the others. On May i8ch the ground was too dry for the wheat to make much growth, but the rain of May 20-21 was very seasonable, and the nitrogen applied on May isth was washed into the ground. At this time the nitrate plats seemed better than those having sulphate of ammonia, and both the nitrate and ammonia plats were heavier and of much darker color than those receiving azotine. The plants on the plats that had received nitrogen were about six inches taller than on those receiving no nitrogen, and this continued until the grain was ripe.” SUMMARY. " X. The experiment confirms the superiority of nitrate of soda over ammonia salts for wheat, and indicates that its superiority over organic nitrogen is even greater than that over ammonia salts 2, A given sum of money will buy mere nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda than in any other form except cotton-seed meal, yet the gain front nitrate of soda is nearly double that from the use of organic nitrogen. ' Professor Atwater in writing of some experiments made by Professor McBride at the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, on oats and wheat, in 1SS9, says : “ A comparison of four of the tests conducted on both farms indicates that the inorganic nitrogen (nitrate of soda) gave nearly 100 per cent, more increase of yield than the organic (cotton seed meal , dried blood, etc.,) and nearly 50 per cent, more than both forms used together. HOW TO APPLY NITRATE OF SODA TO WHEAT, Drill in with the wheat in the fall a mixture of 250 pounds superphosphate and 50 pounds nitrate of soda per acre Or, if your land is sandy and poor, add 50 pounds muriate of potash to the above. Early in the spring, sow broadcast 100 pounds nitrate of soda per acre A larger quantity of nitrate would undoubtedly increase the yield of wheat, but might not pay as well as the smaller application. If wheat was worth $1.50 per bushel, it would pay well to use more nitrate. Prof. W. F. Massey wrote to Mr. ,H. J. Scott of Virginia, in regard lo-tho effect of nitrate of soda on wheat, as follows: “ I have made several experiments with nitrate 1 on wheat in Albemarle county, Va. I used 200 p' of a field which had been fertilized with 400 pour the fall. The result was 1) bushels per acre more I field, and a stand of clover, while none of any acc of the field.” A smaller application of nitrate possib1 duced nearly as good results. FERTILIZERS FOR BA At the celebrated Experimental Farm < at Rothamsted, England, in 1803, the fol obtained by the use of superphosphate a on barley : No manure 3*4 cwt. superphosphate of lime 3 j4 cwt. superphosphate of lime and 200 lbs. an monia salts 3*4 cwt. superphosphate of lime and 275 lbs. N trate of Soda The 200 pounds of ammonia salts c nitrogen as the 275 pounds nitrate of so produced nearly 4 bushels more barl evident from the above that barley must that it is more effective in the form of i form of ammonia. In the experiment made by Dr. Voelcl Royal Agricultural Society of England 1 lowing results were obtained with barl year on the same land : YIELD HER ACRE OE DR DESCRIPTION OK MANURES. 1SS0 iSSi i332 ISS3 No Manure 21 27’^ 22 3 Y 22 33 *4 -3 2S Mineral Manures and 275 lbs Nitrate of Soda. 49 • 53 soVi 4 55 H WrwJS* BOH 1 3 “ I have made several experiments with nitrate of soda. The first was on wheat in Albemarle county, Va. I used 200 pounds per acre on part of a field which had been fertilized with 400 pounds acid phosphate in -the fall. The result was 9 bushels per acre more than on the rest of the field,- and a -stand of clover, while none of any account stood on the rest of the field.” A smaller application of nitrate possible would have pro- duced nearly as good results. FERTILIZERS FOR BARLEY, At the celebrated Experimental Farm of Lawes & Gilbert at Rothamsted, England, in 1883, the following results were obtained by the use of superphosphate and nitrate of soda on barley : No manure 16*^ bushels per acre 2% cwt. superphosphate of lime 224s “ 3*4 cwt. superphosphate of lime and 200 lbs. am- monia salts .49/3 “ _‘f 3 cwt. superphosphate of lime and 273 lbs. Ni- trate of Soda 53/f “ The 200 pounds of ammonia salts contained as much nitrogen as the 275 pounds nitrate of soda, but the nitrate produced nearly 4 bushels more barley per acre. It is evident from the above that barley must have nitrogen, and that it is more 'effective in the form of nitrate than in the form of ammonia. In the experiment made by Dr. Voelcker in behalf of the Royal Agricultural Society of England at Woburn, the fol- lowing results were obtained with barley sown year after year on the same land : DESCRIPTION OP MANURES. No Manure Mineral Manures Mineral Manures and C75 lbs Nitrate of Soda. . YIELD PER'ACRE OP DRESSED EARLEY IN BUSH. I8S0 1SS1 1SS2 1SS3 1SS4 18S5 1SS6 21 33 ~iYz 22 3/ 33 H 22 yC iSY 33 *< 23 28 32 21 is# 49 53 50 'A 55 U 57 H 5°.'+ 40 X 20*44642 22 j-O I 43JT45 '/Z The mineral manures consisted of superphosphate and potash, We would recommend drilling in with the barley a mixture of 200 lbs. superphosphate and 150 lbs. nitrate of soda per acre, and, if the land is “ run down” or sandy, add 50 to 100 lbs. muriate of potash to the mixture. FERTILIZERS FOR OATS, We recommend the use of the same mixture for oats as for barley. In 1888 we used 200 pounds superphosphate and 150 pounds nitrate of soda on 7J4 acres of oats, and harvested 610 measured bushels. The oats weighed 40 pounds per bushel, and we therefore got over 100 bushels of 32 pounds per acre. The land was sown to wheat in the fall and seeded down with timothy and clover. The wheat was a heavy crop, and the crop of hay the following year was immense. - - FERTILIZERS FOR POTATOES, There is more, profit to be derived from the use of fertilizers on potatoes than on almost any other farm crop. Potatoes are largely water. A bushel of potatoes contains only about 12 pounds of dry matter. Yet a bushel of potatoes is often worth as much as a bushel of "wheat. A given amount of plant-food is capable of producing almost four times as many bushels of potatoes as of wheat. If a good price is obtained for the potatoes the profits from the use of fertilizers are often very large. In 1S91 the New Jersey Experiment Station conducted some experiments with potatoes on the farm of Mr. Amos Gardener in Gloucester county' N.*'J. The potatoes were planted in plots of one-twentieth of an acre. The results are given in the following table : increase of 80 bushels of large potatoes pe 'V :% ■ .'V, • Ad 4Y2 • ••• : t r;.f VV ' - 15 A. , EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON 1 ‘ \ 'A\ Kind of Fertilizer Used. Yield per Plo - T.... ' '• - — Larpre. Smail ' 1 143 57 - 2. bone Black (superphosphate) 16 i lbs., Muriate of Potash, 8 lbs. . 321 5t 3. Same as above with Nitrate of Soda, 10 lbs 562 - ' i 40 ! ... . 4. Barn-yard Manure, 1 ton 1 432 65 It will be noticed that on plot 3, where ULC y CJ.J n j of small potatoes was very much less th plots. The addition of nitrate of soda, at nounds per acre, to the superphosphate anc •/ J-. J pounds of nitrate cost about $4.75. The v of potatoes at 60 cents per bushel ^vould profits can be easily calculated. It note that the chemical fertilizers pro1, large potatoes more per acre than 2c manure. In speaking of these experiments, “ The usefulness of field experiments is clear distinctly shown by this work that land which v il. of poor quality of potatoes without manure, ano paying crops with barn-yard manure, by the judic manures may become fairly profitable, even in a st A small crop of potatoes is never prof of growing a poor crop is nearly as great . a large one. The cost of labor and rent 1 $8° Per acre- The man who only gets 5C los'es money on his crop* unless the- price high. • In the experiment quoted above, the 1 that without manure only 33 bushels per a But by the use of $12.34 worth of fertil were raised. Where this yield was obtain a .mures consisted of superphosphate and ml recommend drilling in with the barley • bs. superphosphate and 150 lbs. nitrate of d, if the land is “ run down” or sandy, add riate of potash to the mixture. TILIZERS FOR OATS, i the use of the same mixture for oats as ed 200 pounds superphosphate and 150 soda on acres of oats, and harvested •ads. 1 lie oats weighed 40 pounds per ere fore got over 100 bushels of 32 pounds md was sown to wheat in the fall and a. timothy and clover. The wheat was a the crop of hay the following year was ■ 1ZERS FOR POTATOES, profit to be derived from the use of toes than on almost any other farm crop. !y water. A bushel of potatoes contains ' ■nds of dry matter. Yet a bushel of vorth as much as a bushel of wheat. A 'iant-food is capable of producing almost bushels of potatoes as of wheat. If a ncd for the potatoes the profits from the re often very large. -v Jersey Experiment Station conducted -"•ith potatoes on the farm of Mr. Amos 'ester county, N: J. The potatoes were one-twentieth of an acre. The results lowing table : Vi A - vv'.M.d 1 5 EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS ON POTATOES. Kind of Fertilizer Used. Yield per Plot in lbs. Yield per Acre in Large. Small. Total. Bushels. 1. No Manure 143 57 200 33 lA 2. Bone Biack (superphosphate) 16 lbs., Muriate of Potash, S lbs. . 321 51 37 2 124 3. Same as above with Nitrate of Soda, xo lbs 562 40 602 200 4. Barn-yard Manure, 1 ton 432 65 497 165-;+ It will be noticed that on plot 3, where nitrate was used, the yield was not only greatly increased but the percentage of small potatoes was very much less than on the other plots. The addition of nitrate of soda, at the rate of 200 pounds per acre, to the superphosphate and potash made an increase of 80 bushels of large potatoes per acre. The 200 pounds of nitrate cost about $4.75. The value of So bushels of potatoes at 60 cents per bushel would be $4S.oo. The profits can be easily calculated. It is also worthy of note that the chemical fertilizers produced 43 bushels of large potatoes more per acre than 20 tons of barn-yard manure. In speaking of these experiments, Prof. Voorhees says : “ The usefulness of field experiments is clearly brought out, for it is distinctly shown by this work that land which will produce but 50 bushels of poor quality of potatoes without manure, and which brings barely paying crops with barn-yard manure, by the judicious use of chemical manures may become fairly profitable, even in a season of low prices.” A small crop of potatoes is never profitable. The cost of growing a poor crop is nearly as great as that of growing a large one. The cost of labor and rent of land is at least $30 per acre. The man who only gets 50 bushels per acre loses money on his crop unless the price is extraordinarily high. In the experiment quoted above, the land was so poor that without manure only 33 bushels per acre were obtained. But by the use of $12.34 worth of fertilizers 200 bushels were raised. Where this yield was obtained the quantity of . , U;;.: . ' v =.'/,'rf;/ij-.v • / li.ii 1 : •’ ’ i ' 16 fertilizer used was as follows : 200 pounds nitrate of soda, 520 pounds bone black (superphosphate), and 160 pounds muriate of potash. I hese were mixed together and scattered along the rows before the potatoes were planted. On richer land, the same amount of fertilizers would undoubtedly have produced a much larger crop. Mr. E. S. Carman, editor of the Rural New Yorker, experimented with fertilizers on potatoes on rich land with the following results : ... 1. -400 pounds superphosphate and 300 pounds sulphate of potash- 245 bushels per acre. 2. — Same as plot 1 with the addition of 200 pounds nitrate of soda- 348 bushels per acre. It is evident from the fact that the addition of '200 pounds of nitrate of soda produced 103 bushels more than the superphosphate and potash alone, that potatoes must have nitrogen, and that, in greater quantities than is supplied by the ordinary “ Phosphate ” bx “Complete Potato Manure.’’ FERTILIZERS FOR SWEET POTATOES. It is the usual practice among sweet potato growers to use large quantities of stable manure for thi$ crop. In iSyi the New Jersey Experiment Station made some experiments in order to determine whether commercial fertilizers could not be used instead of stable manure, which is a large' item of expense. The experiment was conducted on the farm of Mr. Theodore Brown, in Gloucester county, New Jersey. The following table gives the most important results : . _ . It will be seen that the addition of n the bone black and potash gave an incre; per acre, and that the nitrate, bone bl; together costing $12.34, produced a little 20 tons- of manure, costing $30.00. In results. Prof. Voorhees says : Another point of considerable importance, sines the salability of the potatoes, was noticed at the ti That those grown with chemical manures alone wer< of skin, while at least one-third of those grown wit were rough and partially covered with scurf.” FERTILIZERS FOR TOB The value of tobacco depends largely u and as the quality depends greatly upon available plant food in the s-oil, the use of results in very large profits. At the Kentucky experiment station in 1 were made with fertilizers on Burley tob; was “deficient in natural drainage,” so thi could hardly be expected to have their full will be seen by the following table, the prol of the fertilizers were enormous : 1 7 EXPERIMENT WITH FERTILIZERS ON SWI Kind of Fertilizer and Quantity per Acre. 1. No Manure 320 lbs. Bone Black, 160 lbs. Muriate of Potash 200 lbs. Nitrate of Soda, 320 lbs. Bone Black, 160 lbs. Muriate of Potash 20 tons Barn’-yard Manure . . . . Cost of Fertilizer. $7-70 12.34 30.00 1 6 is as follows : 200 pounds nitrate of soda, black (superphosphate), and 160 pounds ■ - n. 1 hese were mixed together and e rows before the potatoes were planted, the same amount of fertilizers would ■ produced a much larger crop. m m, editor of the Rural JVeia Yorker , h lertilizers on potatoes on rich land with :lts : ' - wsphate ami 300 pounds sulphate of potash — : 1 the addition of coo pounds nitrate of soda — r acre. trom the tact that the addition of 200 ui soda produced 103 bushels more than te and potash alone, that potatoes must eb that, in greater quantities than is ordinary Phosphate’ or “Complete RS FOR SY/EET POTATOES, nice among sweet potato growers to ies of stable manure for thi.t crop. In •-•rsey Experiment Station made some rder to determine whether commercial not be Used instead of stable manure, 1 of expense. 1 he experiment was iarm ot Mr. Theodore Brown, in . New Jersey. The following table gives t results,: EXPERIMENT WITH FERTILIZERS ON SWEET POTATOES Kind of Fertilizer and Quantity per Acre. Cost of Fertilizer. Bushels per Acre. . Lar^e. Small Total I. No Manure 157 203 2oS 241 32S 324 2 , 3- 320 lbs. Bone Black, 160 lbs. Muriate of Potash 200 lbs. Nitrate of Soda, 320’ lbs! Bone Black, 160 lbs. Muriate of Potash $7.70 51 36 4- 20 tons Barn'-yard Manure. 1 ~ * -M 30 . OO .,0 263 50 61 It will be seen that the addition of nitrate of soda to . the bone black and potash gave an increase of 65 bushels per acre, and that the nitrate, bone black and potash, together costing $12.34, produced a little larger yield than 20 tons of manure, costing $30.00. In speaking of the results, Prof. Voorhees says : Another point of considerable importance, since it has reference to the salability of the potatoes, was noticed at the time of digging, viz.: I hat those grown with chemical manures alone were bright and smooth . of skin, while at least one-third of those grown with barn-yard manure were rough and partially covered with scurf.” FERTILIZERS FOR TOBACCO, The value of tobacco depends largely upon its quality, and as the quality depends greatly upon the amount of available plant food in the soil, the use of fertilizers often results in very large profits. At the Kentucky experiment station in 1SS9 experiments were made with lertilizers on Burley tobacco. The land was “deficient in natural drainage,” so that the fertilizers could hardly be expected to have their full effect. Yet, as will be seen by the following table,, the profits from the use of the fertilizers were enormous : \ f. - 1 s EXPERIMENTS ON TOBACCO AT THE KENTUCKY EXPERIMENT STATION IN ' iSSq. FERTILIZERS PER ACRE. Yield of Tobacco Per Acre- ■LBS. Value of Tobacco Per Acre. Bright. Red, Lugs. Tips. Trash. Total 1. No Manure 2. 160 lbs Nitrate of 200 3C0 60 540 Il6o $ 67.20 Soda 3. 160 lbs. Sulp. of Potash ; 160 lbs. Nitrate of soda. . . . 4. 320 lbs. Superphos- phates ; 160 lbs. Sulp of Potash; 160 230 450 310 90 530 iGro 138.40 190 755 605 120 140 1S10 i9°-45 lbs. Nitrate of soda. Sto Sio 420 10 360 2000 201.20 The tobacco was assorted by an expert and prices given as follows: Bright and red, fifteen cents per pound ; lugs, six cents per pound; tips, eight cents per pound; trash, two cents per pound. One hundred and sixty pounds nitrate of soda, costing about $3.75, increased the value of the crop $71.20 per acre. The addition of 160 pounds sulphate of potash gave $52.05 more, and 320 pounds superphosphate, $11.25, mak- ing altogether $134.50 per acre more than- where fertilizers were not used. A larger application of nitrate in connection with the phosphate and potash would probably have still further increased the value of the crop. Mr. Robert P. McAnally of Saxon, N. C., wrote us Sep- tember 29th, 1892, as follows: “ Your essay on the use of nitrate of soda for manure induced me to try it on tobacco last season and it did so well that I have used five times the amount this season that I did last, and' my crop at this writing is the wonder and admiration of every one that sees it, so much so that the agriculturist at our Agricultural Experiment Station has written me he will call on me next week to see my tobacco crop.” We should recommend for tobacco a mixture of 200 pounds nitrate of soda, 300 pounds superphosphate and 150 WITH FERTILIZERS ON P nd of Fertilizer Used. No Manure llone Black (superphosphate! 16 lhs. , Muriate oi Potash, S lbs.. Same as above with Nitrate of Soda. 10 lbs 4. Barn-yard Mannre, r ton Yield per Plot r.arpre. Small. 143 57 32t 5x 562 40 432 65 It will be noticed that on plot 3, where r the yield was not only greatly increased but of small potatoes was very much less t’n: lots. The addition of nitrate of soda, at pounds per acre, to the superphosphate and increase of 80 bushels of large potatoes per pounds of nitrate cost about $4-75- The va: of potatoes at 60 cents per bushel would l rofits can be easily calculated. It is note that the chemical fertilizers produce* potatoes more per acre than 20 toi manure. In speaking of these experiments, Prof. “ The usefulness of field experiments is clearly b distinctly show* by this work that land which will pre of poor quality of potatoes without manure, and v paying crops with barn-yard manure, by the judicic manures may become fairly profitable, even in a sea -A small crop of potatoes is never profit of growing a poor crop is nearly as great as a large one. The cost of labor and rent o! 30 per acre. Tiie man who only gets 50 loses money on his crop unless the price i high. In the experiment quoted above, the la that without manure only 33 bushels per aci ut by the use of $12.34 worth of fertile were raised. Where this yield was obtaine* i .inures consisted of superphosphate and hi recommend drilling in with the barley lbs. superphosphate and 150 Ibs.mitrate of i, if the land is “ run down” or sandy, add date of potash to the mixture. riLIZERS FOR OATS. the use of the same mixture for oats as '-'d 200 pounds superphosphate and 150 Hia on 7 ; 1 acres of oats, and harvested :'.els. The oats weighed 40 pounds per refore got over 100 bushels of 32 pounds nd was sown to wheat in the fall and t timothy and clover. The wheat was a tne crop of hay the following year was IZERS FOR POTATOES. prolit to be derived from the use of .oes than on almost any other farm crop, ly water. A bushel of potatoes contains mnds of dry matter. Yet a bushel of ■ orth as much as a bushel of nvheat. A ’lant-food is capable of producing almost f bushels of potatoes as of wheat. If a ued lor the potatoes the profits from the re often very large. w Jersey Experiment Station conducted with potatoes on the farm of Mr. Amos ■ester county, N. J. The potatoes were* one-twentieth of an acre. The results lowing table : pounds sulphate of potash per acre. This mixture would cost about $2S.co per ton and would contain over 6 per cent of nitrogen (equal to nearly S per cent, of ammonia). This is nearly twice as much nitrogen as would be obtained in a “complete fertilizer” or “special tobacco manure,” costing $35.00 per ton. NITRATE OF SODA FOR GRASS. There are numerous cases where nitrate of soda can be used with very great advantage and profit as a top dressing for grass. Milkmen, who sell milk in our cities, know the great inconvenience and loss arising from a failure of pasture or green fodder from drouth. Farmers who raise early lambs for the butcher can well afford to spend a little money for nitrate of soda if it will give them a good bite of grass early in the season for the ewes and lambs, and that it will certainly do. In the United States such seasons as that of 1S70 in England are the rule rather than the exception, and the following results from the use of nitrate of soda on permanent meadow at Rothamsted in the dry' season of 1870 are of great interest : .. Hay per acre. 1. IN o manure 644 lbs. 2. 300 lbs. sulp. potash, 100 lbs. sulp. soda, 100 lbs. sulp, magnesia, cwt. superphosphate of lime. . . 1968 “ 3. Same mineral manures as plot 2 and 400 lbs. ammonia salts 330b ‘ * 4. Same mineral manures as plot 2 and 550 lbs. of nitrate of soda.. 6300 “ It will be seen that 550 pounds of nitrate of soda give an increase over plot 2 of 4,332 pounds of hay. ‘ The same amount of nitrogen, but in the. form of ammonia salts, with an equal amount of minerals, on plot 3, produced about 3,000 pounds less hay per acre than when nitrogen was applied as nitrate of soda. In a letter written March 17th, 1S90, Sir John B. Lawes says : • 20 “At equal prices for nitrogen I certainly prefer nitrate of soda to salts of ammonia. . The superiority on pasture grasses is most decided, and in dry seasons when the grass upon the ammonia plots is quite burned up there is always plenty of grass where the nitrate is used. We had a great drouth in 1S70, and we had no grass anywhere except upon the nitrate plots. Wo found roots four feet deep from the surface, evidently following the nitrate and of course getting water from the soil.” Mr. C. L. Fuller, a large and practical farmer of Rens- , selaer county, N. Y., wrote us in September, 1S92, as follows : “In regard to nitrate of soda, I have used it on grass more than any otner crop. It gives me large crops of hay. This year I had three acres of new seeding that I put 200 pounds per acre on and I have cut twenty- one large two-horse loads from it at two cuttings. This lot three years ago produced little but moss, and would not keep one cow through the summer. I have other land that was so nearly exhausted that it required eleven acres to produce four tons of hay of poor quality. I have succeeded in getting it seeded with the use of 400 pounds of fertilizer (phosphate and potash) and a little stable manure, and then by the use of 200 pounds nitrate of soda last spring, I cut four tons of hay per acre this season.” FERTILIZERS FOR GARDEN CROPS. All experienced gardeners know that in order to raise profitable crops of early cabbage, cauliflower or beets their land must be excessively rich. ^ Enormous quantities of dung are applied every year. The manure used supplies nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potash and other ingredients of plant-food far in excess of the amount removed in the crop. And yet it is found necessary to furnish a heavy dressing of manure every year. If this is not done the crop is poor and unprofitable. Gardeners who make a specialty ' of growing large areas of early cabbage find it almost impossible to make the land rich enough the first year. They find that the second or third crop, grown and manured every year on the same land, is better and earlier than the first crop. An experienced American gardener recommends the his garden. Belie carry through a application, every year, of 75 to So tons per acre for early cabbage and 10 tons } cabbage.- Many gardeners make this dis early and late cabbage, and yet the late < much the larger crops and remove far from the soil than the early crops. A market gardener near New York, quantities of manure and was very success open a street through be sufficiently rich tc without manure, he thought it useless to using guano on that portion on which the but on each side he sowed guano at t pounds per acre, and planted the whole t “The effect,” says the lamented Peter relates the incident, “was the most mar That, portion on which the guano had readily at $12 per hundred, or about $i, the portion from which the guano had beer averaged $3 per hundred. The street o acre of ground, so that my friend actually in the crop by withholding $60 for manure Every gardener of experience can recall Recent scientific discoveries furnisl explanation of these facts, and the explan practical importance. There is no difference between the rnanu of an early and a late cabbage. Both food, and the late crop, being the large) rather than less food or manure per acre. And yet, in practice, it is found absolu use far more manure for the early crop crop. The explanation is this : All our common agricultural and horticri up their nitrogen in the form of nitric acid As long as gardeners use nitrogen in th 2 + • rH FERTILIZERS on tomatoes. 1 K U>K1* 1 Yield per | Acre in 1 Value o£ Fertilizer. 1 Bushels. ! Crop. s 1 i 6X3 ! £20^ .6r Soda >4 00 i S3’ ! 300 . 64 Potash. 32<- 7.20 64b 252.92 Soda, i»o lbs task. 300 tbs. \ I . 20 - 301.25 Manure. . • - 1 | ;o . oo ! 612 ! 2IS.27 •d that 160 pounds of nitrate of soda, ;ll, increase in the value of the crop of r the unfertilized land, and $82.37 over tins of barn-vard manure, costin., bo0-00’ I also he noticed that the addition of |.u k) and potash had little or no effect, dicate that tomatoes do not require and potash, but that enough of these- :.food was already in the soil. Other e on poorer land showed that the „d potash were necessary in addition to produce a full crop. In writing of these Voornees, who conducted them, says . o:natoes was very deeidedly increased by the use of none and together with phosphoric acid and potash. ,)ud success with tomatoes fertilized in the I'.efure the plants are set out work into are to be planted a handful of a mixture nitrate of soda and superphosphate. 1 hen,_ , have started to grow, scatter about a • ful of nitrate around eaeh plant. ILIZERS FOR PEACHES. :n.ve been conducted under the direction of i rue n't Station, by Mr. Stephen C. Dayton, uv, X. J., with fertilizers on peaches. The application, every year, of 75 to 80 tons of stable manure per acre for early cabbage and xo tons per acre for late cabbage.. Many gardeners make this distinction between early and late cabbage, and yet the late cabbage produce much the larger crops and remove far more plant-food from the soil than the early crops. A market gardener near New York, who used large quantities of manure and was very successful, was about to open a street through his garden. Believing his Land to be sufficiently rich to carry through a crop of cabbage without manure, lie thought it useless to waste money by using guano on that portion on which the street was to be, but on each side he sowed guano at the rate of 1,200 pounds per acre, and planted the whole to early cabbages. “The effect,” says the lamented Peter Henderson, who relates the incident, was the most marked I ever saw. That, portion on which the guano had been used sold readily at $12 per hundred, or about $1,400 per acre, but the portion from which the guano had been withheld hardly- averaged $3 per hundred. The street occupied fully an acre of ground, so that my friend actually lost over $1,000 in the crop by withholding $60 for manure.” Every gardener of experience can recall similar instances. Recent scientific discoveries furnish a satisfactory- explanation of these facts, and the explanation is of great practical importance. There is no difference between the manurial requirements of an early and a late cabbage. Both require the same food, and the late crop, being the larger, requires more lather than less food or. manure per acre. And yet, in practice, it is found absolutely necessary to use far more manure for the early crop than for the late crop. The explanation is this : All our common agricultural and horticultural plants take up their nitrogen in the form of nitric acid or nitrate. As long as gardeners use nitrogen in the form of barn-' yard or stable manure it is undoubtedly necessary to use this large quantity. They find it profitable to use it ; but thanks to the investigations of scientific men, we now know how to obtain the same result with far greater certainty and at vastly less cost. It is now known that the nitrogen in the organic matter of the soil or. manure is slowly converted into nitric acid by the growth of a minute organism, apparently a micrococcus. This micrococcus cannot grow if the soil is too cold, or too wet, or too dry, or in the absence of lime or an alkali. As a general rule, there is no lack of ’ lime in the soil, and the other conditions necessary for the con- version of the nitrogen into nitric acid are warm weather and a moist, porous soil. In the early spring the soiL is too wet and too cold for the change to take place. We must wait for warm weather. But the gardener does not want to wait. He makes his profits largely on his early crops. Guided only by experience and tradition, he fills his land with manure, and even then he gets only a moderate crop the first year. He puts on 75 tons more manure the next year, and gets a better crop. And he may continue putting on manure till the soil is as rich in nitrogen as the manure itself, arid even then he must keep on manuring or he fails to get a good early crop. Why ? The nitrogen of the soil, or of roots of plants, or dung, is retained in the soil in a comparatively inert condition. There is little or no loss. But when it is slowly converted into nitric acid during warm weather, the plants take it up and grow rapidly. Unfortunately, however, -if we have no plants growing in the autumn, and there, is much nitric acid left unused in the soil, the rains of winter and early spring leach out a large proportion of it and it sinks into the subsoil or underdrains. How, then, is the market gardener to get the nitric acid absolutely necessary for the growth of his early plants? He gets it as before sta’ted, from a ous use of stable manure, and eve in sufficient quantity. One thousand pounds of nitr, more nitrogen to the plants ean gardener can get from 75 or 100 manure. The stable manure will later crops, but for his early crop to use nitrate of soda is blind to ! NITRATE OF SODA F There is an old-established Ide; rather than beneficial to tomatoe: run too much to vine,” as an old a matter of fact there is some tri farm-yard manure is found to 12 orously until late in the seas production of early fruit. This that the nitrogen in the manure i been converted into nitric acid, have little nitrogen to grow on e their growth is retarded until tl increased, when it is too late tc plants “ run to vines.” It has been found by exper: Jersey Experiment Station for soda, applied when the plants ar their growth early in the seas larger crop of early ripe fruit th; “phosphates,” or no manure at : In the experiments conducted ment "Station, on the farm of County, New Jersey, in 1891, obtained 'g&k-ii&i He gets it as before stated, from an excessive and continu- ous use of stable manure, and even then he fails to get it in szifficient quantity. One thousand pounds of nitrate of soda will furnish more nitrogen to the plants early in the spring than the gardener can get from 75 or 100 tons of well-rotted stable manure. The stable manure will furnish nitric acid for his. later crops, but for his early crops the gardener who fails to use nitrate of soda is blind to his own interests. NITRATE OF SODA FOR TOMATOES. There is an old-established idea that manure is injurious rather than beneficial to tomatoes. “ Manure makes them run too much to vine,' as an old gardener would say. As a matter of fact there is some truth in this idea. Ordinary farm-yard manure is found to keep the plants growing vigorously until late in the season, at the expense of the production of early fruit. This is largely due to the fact that the nitrogen in the manure is not available until it has been converted into nitric acid. Thus the tomato plants have little nitrogen to grow on early in the season, so that their growth is retarded until the supply of nitric acid is increased, wnen it is too late to produce a crop, and the plants “run to vines.” It has been found by experiments made at the New Jersey Experiment Station for three years, that nitrate of soda, applied when the plants are set out, greatly increased their growth early in the season and produced a much larger crop of early ripe fruit than either barn-yard manure, phosphates,” or no manure at all. • In the experiments conducted by the New Jersey Experi- ment Station, on the farm of Mr. J. M. Gill, Gloucester County, New Jersey, in 1891, the following results were obtained : 23 24 EXPERIMENT WITH FERTILIZERS ON TOMATOES. Kind of Fertilizer L'sf.d and Quantity per Acre. Cost of Fertilizer. Yield per Acre m Bushels. Value of Crop. 1. No Manure 613 $2o3.6r 0 160 lbs. Nitrate of Soda iS4-oo S33 300.64 3. 160 lbs. Muriate of Potash, 320 lbs. Bone Black 7-20 04Q 252.92 4. 160 lbs. Nitrate of Soda, 160 lbs. Muriate of Potash, 300 lbs. Bone Black 11.20 867 301.25 5. 20 tons P.arn-yard Manure. . . . O O O ’ to 612 2 iS . 27 It will be noticed that ido pounds of nitrate of soda, costing $4.00, made an increase, in the value of the crop of $92.03 per acre over the unfertilized land, and $82.37 over ' the land where 20 tons of barn-yard manure, costing $30.00, was used. It will also be noticed that the addition of phosphate (bone black) and potash had little or no effect. This does not indicate that tomatoes do not require phosphoric acid and potash, but that enough of these- elements of plant-food was already in the soil. Other experiments made on poorer land showed that the phosphoric acid and potash were necessary in addition to nitrate of soda to produce a full crop. In writing of these experiments Prof. "Voornees, who conducted them, says . The yield of early tomatoes was very deeidedly increased by the use of nitrate of soda, both alone and together with phosphoric acid and potash. We have had good success with tomatoes fertilized in the following manner : Eeiore the plants are set out work into the soil where they are to be planted a handful of a mixture "'"o-fvequal parts of nitrate of soda and superphosphate. Then, when the .plants have started to grow, scatter .about a small tablespoonful of nitrate around each plant. FERTILIZERS FOR PEACHES. Experiments haye been conducted under the direction of the N. J. Experiment Station, by Mr. Stephen C. Da) ton, of Somerset county, N. J., with fertilizers on peaches. The fertilizers and manure have been applied every year for six ycat s, during which time the trees have borne four crops. Their first crop was in 1SS7. In 1SS8 and 1889 good crops were secured, but in 1890 the crops were a total failure, as elsewhere in the state ; in 1891 there was a large crop harvested. It was found that an application of 150 pounds nitrate of soda, 350 pounds superphosphate, and 150 pounds muriate of potash produced nearly as good results as twenty two-horse loads of manure, costing nearly three times as much. In 1891 the trees that had nitrate, in addition to superphosphate and potash, • yielded 161 baskets per acre more than where the superphosphate and potash were used alone. And where the three were used together the yield was 342 baskets per acre more than where no manure or fertilizers were used. By the use of nitrate of soda, superphosphate and muri- ate of potash, an average clear net profit of over $75.00 per acre each year was secured. Where barn-yard manure was used the average yearly profit was only $44.00. Mr. Robert B. Treat, of Centreville, Rhode Island, wrote us February 24th, 1S93, as follows: “ Up to 1S91 we had never received even a fair crop of peaches, but that spring I applied nitrate of soda at the rate of 250 pounds to the acre. The result was most gratifying. We raised more fruit that year than for several years previously combined. By the use of nitrate of soda our tomatoes yielded at the rate of 350 bushels per acre.’ NITRATE OF SODA ON STRAWBERRIES. An experiment with nitrate of soda on strawberries was conducted by Mr. J. M. White, of Middlesex county, N. J., in 1891, under the direction of the N. J. Experiment Station. Phosphoric acid and potash were supplied when the plants were set out in 1SS9. In the spring of 1S9T nitrate of soda was sown broadcast on part of the patch, at the rate of 200 pounds per acre, while the other part received no nitra'te. The result was as follows : 26 No Nitrate ' 162 qts. per plot (% acre). With Nitrate 213 “ “ The gain from the use of nitrate was at the rate of 408 quarts per acre. This was due largely to the increased size of the berries. These berries sold at the average price of 10^ cents per quart, so that from the use of 200 pounds nitrate of soda, costing $4.50, there was a gain of $44.33 per acre, or 10 cents for every cent invested in nitrate. In Orchard and Garden for May, 1890, Professor W. W- Massey, of the N. C. ‘Experiment Station, writes as follows-: “In the spring of i33S I top dressed an old strawberry bed, in its fifth year of bearing, with 300 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre. I had intended to plough it up the previous summer, but other matters prevented, and the bed was in an exhausted condition and rather foul with white clover and sorrel. The effect was amazing, for this bed of an acre and a quarter, from which I expected hardly anything, gave 7,000 quarts of berries. Variety Crescent, with fertilizing rows of Wiison, Sharpless, and others. The crop was nearly as large as the best the plot had made.” This was on moist bottom land, naturally fertile. FERTILIZERS -FOR RASPBERRIES, CUR RANTS, GOOSEBERRIES, ETC. As has been shown by the experiments on tomatoes, peaches and strawberries, enormous profits are often realized from the use of fertilizers on these fruits. The same is undoubtedly true in the case of raspberries, currants, etc., although we have unfortunately no compara- tive experiments with the use of fertilizers on these fruits. We have, on aur own farm,, a little over three a,cres of red currants which have been in bearing 'for five or six. years. In 1S90 the crop was less than 6,000 pounds; in 1891 it was 8,200 pounds. In the spring of 1891 we applied a mixture of superphosphate and kainit (potash) at the rate of about 400 pounds per acre. In the spring of 1S92 we applied 200 pounds superphosphate, 100 pounds muriate of potash and 200 pounds nitrate of soda per acre. The crop of 1S92 amounted to nearly 16,000 pounds, and sold for over $800, yielding a net profit of $300 more than the year before. That this great increase of yield was due to the application of the 200 pounds nitrate of soda per acre is of course not proved, but it certainly looks as though it had a good deal to do with it. The season of 1S91 was a remarkably favorable one for fruit. The season of 1S92 was certainly no better, and usually considered much less favorable. We have used nitrate of soda in connection with super- phosphate and potash on raspberries with equally good results. In fact, as red raspberries usually sell for twice as much per pound as currants, the profits from the use of fertilizers are often much greater. We think it is the best plan to apply the superphosphate and potash in the jfixll and the nitrate of soda in the spring .There is no danger of losing any of the phosphoric acid or potash, as they will not leach out of the soil, and they need the heavy rains and frosts of winter to get them down to the roots of the plants. The nitrate is easily dissolved, and the first heavy rain will wash it down to the roots. If it is applied in the fall more or less will be wasted by leaching out of the soil during the winter. NITRATE OF SODA FOR ASPARAGUS, We have had remarkable success in raising large, early asparagus by simply sowing 500 pounds of nitrate of soda- per acre early in the spring. The land is naturally rich, otherwise it would be necessary to apply superphosphate and potash as well as nitrate. Enormous profits may be derived from the proper use- of fertilizers on asparagus. If the rent, labor, etc., for a crop of asparagus is $200 per acre, and the crop is three tons of green shoots at $100 per ton, on the farm, the profit is §100 per acre. If we get six tons at §100 per ton, the profit, less the extra cost of labor and manure, is §400 per acre. In such crops as asparagus, however, doubling the yield by the use of nitrate of soda does not tell half the story. Asparagus is sold by the bunch, weighing aDOut pounds. The prices range, according to earliness and quality, from 10 cents to 25 cents per bunch at wholesale, or from $80 to $200 per ton. By leaving out all these considerations and assuming that the non-nitrated asparagus yields three tons per acre and sells for $100 per ton, and that the nitrated asparagus yields six tons' per acre and sells for $200 per ton, the profits of the two crops, less the extra cost for labor and manure are as follows: Without Nitrate of Soda, $100 per acre. With Nitrate of Soda, $1,000 per acre. The safest way is to apply in the fall 400 pounds super- phosphate, -150 pounds muriate of potash and 100 pounds nitrate of soda per acre, sown broadcast. Early in the spring sow broadcast 300 to 400 pounds nitrate of soda per acre. HOW TO APPLY NITRATE OF SODA AND OTHER FERTILIZERS. The first thing to do is to prepare the fertilizers and, if they are to be used at the same time, to mix them together. Nitrate uf Soda comes from South America in bags which weigh about 300 pounds each. It is usually sold in the original bags. The nitrate looks much like coarse salt and is often compacted into large lumps. These lumps should be broken, which can easily be done by turning the nitrate out on the barn floor and striking the lumps with the back of a spade. The nitrate should then be run through a sieve with a mesh not larger than one-fourth inch. It will -then be ready for use. m PM ' Superphosphate is usually fine and dry and needs no preparation. But if there are any lumps they should be broken up. Muriate of Potash cornes from Germany in bags weighing 224 pounds each, and is much finer than nitrate. It some- times forms in lumps, which should be broken as directed for nitrate. If the fertilizers are to be mixed together, pour the right quantity of each in a pile on the floor and turn them over two or three times with a shovel until the-yr are thoroughly' mixed. It is a good plan to run the whole through a sieve, which will mix the fertilizers better than any other way. If nitrate is used, the mixing should not be done more than a week before the fertilizers are to be used, as the nitrate will attract moisture and get hard if left too long after mixing, and there is also a loss of nitrogen when nitrate and superphosphate are mixed together for any length of time. MODE OF APPLICATION, We have found the following methods of applying fertil- izers to the various crops to be the best and most practical. We have given directions for application to wheat, oats, barley, etc., and refer below to the pages on which these directions mayr be found: Wheat — See page 10. Barley — See page 13. Oats — See page 14. Grass for Pasture or /lay— The best way is to sow broad- cast in the fall a mixture of say 250 lbs. superphosphate and 50 lbs. muriate of potash per acre, and early in the spring sow broadcast 150 to 200 lbs. nitrate of soda per acre. Or all three may be mixed together and sown early in the spring. The latter method is usually followed. Potatoes — If in rows marked only one way, scatter a mix- ture of, say 200 pounds nitrate, 350 pounds superphosphate and 100 pounds muriate of potash along the rows, a hand- 30 ful to every step. If you step three feet, this will put on about 600 pounds per acre; if only two feet, 900 pounds per acre. Run a fine tooth cultivator along the rows to mix the fertilizers with the soil. It will of course be neces- sary to mark out the rows again before planting the pota- toes. If planted in hills marked both ways, drop a handful on each hill and mix well with a hoe or potato hook; but this is not as satisfactory as the other method. Sweet Potatoes — See page 16. Tobacco — See page 17. ' Tomatoes — See page aj. Corn — Apply the same mixture as recommended for po- tatoes and in the same way. It usually will not pay to use more than one ounce (about one-half handful) to a hill. Cabbage and Cauliflower — For growing the plants, sow broadcast the same mixture as recommended for potatoes, using a small handful to each square yard of ground, and rake or harrow it in before sowing the seed. For early cabbage, set close together, it will pay to sow the fertilizers broadcast over the whole ground and work them in before setting, out the plants. If the land has been heavily manured fora number of years, nitrate of soda alone may do as much good as the mixture. In this case, the nitrate may be applied after the plants are set out — a teaspoonful to a plant. For late cabbage, set two and one-half to three feet apart each way, it is a good plan to apply the fertilizers after the plants are set out. To do this, scatter a small handful of the mixture recommended for potatoes near each plant, but .not on the plant. Cultivate this in. with a small tooth culti- vator. It is' best to go twice on each row, dropping the fertilizer on both sides of the plants, using half the quantity on each side.- Celery — Superphosphate should be worked into the land intended for growing celery plants either the fall before or in the spring before the seed is sown, at the rate of 500 Si pen .applied in the fall,, sow in the spring at the same the nitrate is sown and cultivate it -in early in the 'ng. r Linens— Sow broadcast, early in the spring, a mixture of JIoo pounds superphosphate, . i oo pounds .nitrate of soda and -25 pounds muriate of potash using a small handful (about 1 /2 ounces) to each square yard of ground. It is well to ascertain how many square-yards of lawn you have, ‘then weigh out the required amount of fertilizer and keep sowing it until you have it all on. These fertilizers are perfectly odorless, and will add greatly to the luxuriance and color of the grass ; they will also enable it to withstand very dry weather without becoming brown. Looses and other Shrubs — Apply fertilizers as recommended for Raspberries. HOW AND WHERE TO BUY FERTILIZING MATERIALS, Since nitrate of soda and muriate of potash are brought to this country' by sea, and as phosphate is usually trans- ported from the mines in vessels, these materials; as a rule, can be purchased at the seaports cheaper than in the interior. New York is the largest market for these materials, but Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore also receive very large quantities. Lower prices can be obtained by ordering fertilizing materials in car-load lots. A car-load is not less than ten tons. If you cannot use a car-load yourself, get your neighbors to join with you. From $2.00 to $4.00 per ton can often be saved in this way. In buying superphosphate always consider the percentage of available phosphoric acid. You should not pay more than 7 cents per pound for the phosphoric acid. That is, if the superphosphate analyzes 14 per cent, of available phos- phoric acid, a ton wor, Id contain 280' lbs., and should not cost more than $19.60 per ton. - - pounds per acre. As soon as the plants come u bioadcast 500 pounds nitrate of soda per acre, or a handful to each square yard. If heavy rains occur, it is to give the plants another application of nitrate, T need not he as heavy as the first- application. - For Garden Crops , such as beets, carrots, parsnips, onions spinach, lettuce, etc. r sow the mixture , as recom- mended for potatoes, broadcast before the seed is sown, at the rate of from 500 to r,ooo pounds per acre, according to the richness of the land. When the land has been heavily - manured for a number of years, it may not be necessary to use so much superphosphate and potash ; in fact, potash would probably not be needed at all. Nitrate of soda alone on such land often has a wonderful effect. Strawberries— In setting out a new bed, scatter along the rows and cultivate in, before the plants are set out, the same- mixture as for potatoes. It is well to scatter the fertilizers for a foot each side of the rows so that the runners w ill have something to feed upon. In the spring sow nitrate of soda on the bed broadcast at the rate of about 200 pounds per acre. On old beds sow the mixture broadcast in the /h//and an additional 200 pounds of nitrate per acre in the spring. Raspberries , Currants , etc. — Sow broadcast, in the fall, a mixture of, say 350 pounds of superphosphate and 100 pounds muriate of potash per acre, t his can be done, if the rows are six feet apart, by sowing a large handful at every two steps on each side of the roiv. Raspberries should have a small handful and currants a. large handful to each ' bush. This should be cultivated in, if possible, early in the spring;, sow nitrate of soda in the same way. It will pay to put on as much nitrate as you did superphosphate and potash; but if you do not want to put on so much, use iiiili mm nil ill a ill ffira RiiJ* '5w I’ffi'liji ixijiKi