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NITRATE OF SODA
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EXPERIMENTAL WORK

CONDUCTED

AT THE RHODE ISLAND EXPERIMENT STATION
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HE results of the experimental work somewhat briefly set forth

in the following pages, are based upon experiments conducted

by the Agricultural Experiment Station at Kingston, Rhode Island,

U.S. A., upon its own grounds, and in co-operation with farmers in

different sections of the state, during the years from 1890 to 1897 in-
clusive, when the writer was Director of the Station.

In planning the experiments, and executing the details of the
work, the highest credit is due to H. J. Wheeler, Ph. D., Chemist of
iherstation =: J... Lowar, B. S, George M. Tucker, 5. 'S,,. anda. i.
Tillinghast, assistants to the Director in the Agricultural Division ;
B. L. Hartwell, B. S., and Chas. E. Spaseyt, B. S., Assistant Chemists ;
and Geo. E. Adams, B. S., Photographer, as well as a number of
farmers who heartily Supplemental if whic of the Station in connec-
tion with experiments planned for their respective farms.

These experiments have formed a portion of the regular scientific
work prosecuted by the Experiment Station, and a detailed account of
them has been published in the Annual Reports and Bulletins issued
by the Rhode Island Experiment Station while I was Director, and
from which I have made frequent extracts. All the cuts used to illus-
trate this pamphlet have appeared in connection with the above named
Reports and Bulletins, and we are indebted to the Experiment Station
for the privilege of their reproduction in this connection.

As the work has progressed and results haye accumulated, the
superior value of mztrate of soda as a nitrogenous» manure, especially
when used upon acid soils, has become more and more evident.
The numerous and somewhat intricate conditions which govern the
processes of nitrification, and the natural formation of nitrates within
the soil, as demonstrated in comparatively recent years by biologists,
serve as scientific pointers to the reasons for its superior action upon

many soils.

The intelligent reader will bear in mind that nitrate of soda will
not do everything. Potash and phosphoric acid must be supplied,
unless provided by nature, if one would harvest profitable crops, and
if a soil is so acid as to render the growth of many farm crops, especially
during their infancy, impossible, such a condition must be corrected by
the use of carbonate of lime, or in some other way, before bountiful

crops can be harvested.

Kineston, R.1, Sept. 1, 1898. hee SL 2
LO.9 vie

de@E.USE.OF NITRATE OF SODA IN CONNEGTION
WITH SOME EXPERIMENTS IN
RHODE ISLAND:

URING the winter of 1889 and ’go, the writer, as Director of the

Rhode Island Experiment Station at Kingston, solicited the

co-operation of farmers in different parts of the State in a trial of
various fertilizing materials, for the following three-fold purpose :

1. That of learning, if possible, in what elements some of the
soils of the State are especially lacking.

2. For testing the relative fertilizing value of nitrogen in the
various nitrogen compounds, such as nitrate of soda, sulfate of am-
monia and dried blood.

3. To learn something, if possible, of the probable profit or loss
from large and small applications of nitrogen to the Indian corn
erop:*

The general plan of the experiments was one adopted by Prof.
W. O. Atwater in Connecticut, and the work was laid out and con-
ducted the first year by the station chemist, Dr. H. J. Wheeler, and
the remaining three years by the Director's assistant, Mr. J. D. Lowar.
From twenty-one offers of land by farmers for experimental purposes,
ten, which fairly represented the different sections and soils of the State,
were selected. A field at the Experiment Station made the number
eleven. One acre of land was used in each experiment, and so selected
as to be, so far as possible, of a uniform quality. Each acre was divided
into twenty plots, laid out, wherever practicable, with an unfertilized
space of three feet at least between the plots and along the ends.

Plots 7 to 15¢, inclusive, were devoted to the second problem, viz.,

that of obtaining more information upon the relative fertilizing value

1 For a detailed account of these experiments see ‘* Third Annual Report of
the R. I. Experiment Station,” 1890, Part II, pages 39-107; ‘‘Fourth Annual
Report” do., 1891, Part II, pages 35-81; ‘*‘Fifth Annual Report” do., 1892,
Part II, pages 163-198, and ‘‘Sixth Annual Report” do., 1893, Part II, pages
196-207.

6 NITRATE OF SODA

of nitrogen in its various combinations, and it is in the results obtained
from these plots that we are especially interested at this time. These
plots received like amounts of potash and phosphoric acid, and three
groups of three plots each were set apart for the testing of nitrogen in
three different forms. To the first group, plots 7, 8 and 9, wtrate of
soda was applied. The second group, plots ro, 11 and 12, received
nitrogen in sulfate of ammonia ; and to the third group, plots 13, 14 and
15, nitrogen was applied in the form of dried blood.

The first plot in each series, 7, 10 and 13, was given only a

“i ration” of nitrogen; the second plot in each group a “ ration,”
or twice as much as the first, and the last plot a “full ration,” or three
times as much as the first.

Great care was used in applying the fertilizer evenly broadcast, to
each plot, and in harrowing it in, that it should not be dragged over
the boundary upon the unmanured strips, or upon the adjoining plots.
White flint Indian corn was planted in hills three feet apart in the row,
and the rows from 3 to 34 feet apart, according to the width of the
plots in the different fields.

As the experiment was continued on these plots from two to four
years, we will briefly outline the treatment with fertilizers in the

several years, before considering the individual experiments.

MIxEpD MINERALS.

In 1890 the ‘“‘mixed minerals” used upon all the plots from 7 to
15 inclusive, consisted of dissolved bone black at the rate of 350 pounds,
and muriate of potash at the rate of 150 pounds per acre, at a total
cost of $8.15. These materials supplied respectively 74.2 pounds of

total phosphoric acid and 76.2 pounds of actual potash per acre.
In addition to the ‘‘mixed minerals,” as above, nitrogen was

applied to the plots in the three groups, as follows:

NITRATE OF SODA GROUP.

Lbs. per Acre. Lbs. Nitrogen. Cost per Acre,
including M. M. 1
Plot ay s) ration; - 150, - 25.0, - $11 75
ae 8, 3 * - 300, - 50.0, - 15-35
gS gs) hall, - 450, - SOs - 18.95

! Mixed minerals cost $8.15 in each case.

NITRATE OF SODA * 7

SULFATE OF AMMONIA GROUPS.

Cost per Acre,

Lbs. per Acre. Lbs. Nitrogen. including M. M. 1

Plot-io,... 4 -fration, - gies - ages . $12.07

x IT, 3 e 5 224, 7 47-9, 5 15.99

peroneal. - 330, - mOne. - 19.91
Driep BLoop Grovp.

Flotira,” i" ration, . 220, - 250% - $12.00
‘ 2 ‘ ES

op anos 2 : 440, - 50.0, = 15.85

Pe. Pee) el - 660, . 75 iy - 19.70

In 1891 the ‘‘mixed minerais”’ applied cost at the rate of $7.44
per acre. The muriate of potash was a little stronger in actual potash,
and the quantity used was reduced from 150 to 130 pounds per acre,
furnishing 73.1 pounds actual potash. The same weight of dissolved
bone-black, 350 pounds, was used, but afterward was found to be low
in phosphoric acid, so that only 52.2 pounds of total phosphoric acid
were applied per acre. The same weights of nitrate of soda and dried
blood were used as in 1890, but the sulfate of ammonia was increased
to make the nitrogen this year fully equal to the amount in the other
forms. The amounts applied to the full ration plots were as follows,

and the “one-third” and “‘two-thirds”’ rations were proportional :

Plot 9, ull ration Nitrate of Soda, 450, 68.4, $18.24
pais (Das Pon “Sulfate of Ammonia, 348, 69.9, 20.38
CE Le ‘Dried Blood, 660, 67.8, 18.99

In 1892, as potash and phosphoric acid, one or both, seemed to be

deficient in the soil in most cases, and in order that there might be no
uncertainty as to a sufficient supply of the mineral elements, so as

profitably to use all the nitrogen supplied, the quantity of each was
considerably increased. The dissolved bone-black was increased from
350 to 600 pounds, containing 93.18 pounds of total phosphoric acid
per acre, and the muriate of potash from 150 pounds in 1890, and 130

in 1891 to 200 pounds, which supplied just 100 pounds of actual potash

1 Mixed minerals cost $8.15 in each case.

2 Mixed minerals cost $7.44.

8 "AS A FERTILIZER.

per acre. The two together as “mixed minerals” cost $12.20 per acre.

A little increase was also made in the nitrogen applied as follows:

TpRapeRAere Lbs. Nitrogen —_ Cost _includ-

per Acre. ing M. M. 1
Plot 9, Mull ration Nitrate of Soda, 480, ste $23.48
yen on ee “Sulfate of Ammonia, 360, TAO? 24.80
arg spe: “Dried Blood, 690," * 76.04, 24.28

In 1893 the weight of ‘mixed minerals” applied remained the
same as in 1892, but a little difference in the chemical composition
made the amount of actual potash applied per acre, 101.3 pounds,
while the total phosphoric acid remained the same, viz., 93.18 pounds.
The cost per acre was $12.60.

The dried blood contained less nitrogen than that obtained in pre-
vious years, and the quantity therefore had to be increased. The full

ration applications were as follows :

Lbs. Nitrogen Cost includ-

Lbs. per Acre. “ber Acre. ing M. M. 2
Plot 9, Full ration Nitrate of Soda, 480, 74.40, $24.60
hpi ape “Sulfate of Ammonia, 360, 72.00, 26.10
Seen EG, oe: “Dried Blood, 780, 67.08, 30.15

A glance at the cost per acre of the fertilizers used will show that
each year of the experiments, zztrate of soda furnished the cheapest
source of nitrogen. The following table shows the cost per acre of
the fertilizer applied to each of the plots, the total cost per acre of the
tour applications for each plot, and, finally, the total cost for each group
(representing three acres for four years). In each group $121.17 of
the cost is for the “ mixed minerals,” potash and phosphoric acid, and
the balance of the amount represents the cost of the nitrogenous fer-
tilizer, which for nitrate of soda was $15.67 /ess than for dried blood,

and $11.70 /ess than for sulfate of ammonia.

1 Mixed minerals cost $12.20 per acre.

2 Mixed minerals cost $12.60 per acre.

AS A FERTILILER. 9

COST OF FERTILIZERS.

No. | | gan | ane ; |
ore Piotr: | 1890 | 1891 1892 1893 EO TAILS:
NITRATE OF SopDA Group.
4 $11.75 $11.04 $15.96 | $16.60 | $55.35 )
8 15.35 14,64 19.%2 | 20.60 | 70.381 -} $210.93
9 18.95 18.24 | 23.48 24.60 85.27 J
SULFATE OF AMMONIA GROUP.
10 | $12.07 $11.73 $16.40 | $17.10 | $57.30
11 15.99 16.02 20.60 | 21.60 74.21 } $252.68
12 19.91 20.31 24.80 | 26.10 | 91.125
DriED BLoop Group.
13 $12.00 $11.29 $16.23 | $18.45 $57.97 )
14 15.85 15.14 20.25 | 24.30 75 54 | $226.63
15 19.70 18.99 24.298 | 30.15 93.12 J
MixeD MINERAL PLOTs.
6a, 64,6c| $8.15 | $7.44 | $12.20 | $12.60 | $40.29
| Ui

Cost of ‘Mixed Minerals” for each group = $40.39 x 3 = $121.17.

TEE SEED OPRIXES:

ne” KINGST GN, KL

EXPERIMENT STATION FARM.

The acre selected was a portion of the alluvial plain land at the
westerly end of the farm. It had been in grass for many years and
produced hardly hay enough to pay for cutting. The surface soil was
only 4 or 5 inches deep, sandy loam in character, underlaid by from
2 to 4 feet of yellow loam, and there was a subsoil below that of open
sand and gravel.

We give below the yields per acre of hard corn, soft corn and

stover for the four years included in the experiment.

NITRATE OF SODA

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AS A FERTILIZER. TE

NOTES AND CONCLUSIONS.

1890, When the corn was about 15 inches high, the better color
of the mtrate of soda plots began to be noticeable, and the same con-
tinued until the end of the season. The sulfate of ammonia plots,
instead of improving with the advance of the season, began to take on
a sickly yellow appearance, which gradually grew worse, until just
before the close of the season, when a slight improvement was here
and there noticeable. The greater the application of sulfate, the worse
the plots appeared, and the results showed a decidedly injurious effect,
the crop decreasing with the increase in the amount applied. The

most important result of this experiment was the poisonous effect of

FieLp Corn (Maize).

Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.

Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash and Phosphorie Acid.

the increasing rations of sulfate of ammonia, and the relatively small
yields from dried blood. The results were doubtless due to delayed
and only partial nitrification, caused, probably, by the acidity of the
soil and by the absence of carbonate of lime.

The nitrate of soda proved much the superior source of nitrogen on this
soil, as the average of the three plots in that group showed an excess
in yield over the average of the other groups.

1891, The ill effect of sulfate and ammonia continued. ‘‘ Phos-

phoric acid was most lacking, and next to it came potash, while

12 NITRATE OF SODA

nitrogen gave financial profits only when used in combination with
both of the other elements.”

In connection with “mixed minerals” nitrogen in the form of
attrate of soda gave far better results than in either of the other forms ;
and increased applications resulted in increased yields and profits.

1892, The peculiarly injurious effects of sulfate of ammonia
were again apparent. The soil had been found decidedly acid when
subjected to a litmus paper test. Experiments by Dr. H. J. Wheeler
have shown that an application of air slaked lime to the soil prevent
the marked ill effect of applications of sulfate of ammonia.

Nitrate of soda, as a source of nitrogen, 7s still much superior to the
other forms employed.

1893, The season was rather unfavorable and the yields of corn
very low.

Nitrate of soda again shows tts superiority by larger yields than were
secured from either the sulfate of ammonia or the dried blood.

The total yields for four years in the case of each plot, and the

total product from each group are shown in the following table :

SUMMARY KINGSTON EXPERIMENT, 1890-1893, INCLUSIVE.

ToTAL YIELDS PER ACRE

Plot IN 4 YEARS.
EMRE) eta | Sorr ciao
ere Corn. | Corn. :
Bushel. | Bushel. | Pounds.
f i 119.74 16.75 9205
Nitrate of Soda Group, - | 654)|143,29) |) 1 2U79) 10376
| 9 157 56 12.47 12337
Torats, lhexcuatene (420.59 42.01 31918
cl 10 | 120.68 | 14.74 9213
Sulfate of Ammonia Group, - | fey) mateas 11.11 | 40138
(| 42 0|, Bate |, fe.s0.8)eesede
TOoTALs, les eae ed 206 43 38.15 17668
f 13 112.21 16.06 8606
Dried Blood Group, - % J | 14 | 124.49 14,92 11810
L| 15 | 102.67 | 20.24 |. 8035
Beauties « dt 339.37 | 51.22 | 28451

AS A FERTILIZER. 13

A comparison of the figures in yields per acre shows that the
aitrate of soda group exceeded the sulfate of ammonia group, as the
result of four years’ crops, by 214.16 bushels of hard corn and 14250
pounds of stover, at $11.70 /ess cost for fertilizer. The mztrate of soda
group exceeded the dried blood group, as the result of the four years’
crops, by 81.22 bushels of hard corn and 3467 pounds of stover, at
$15.67, /ess cost for fertilizer.

2 AB pOm iG IRWIN les al:
Farm oF E. F. CROWNINSHIELD.

This experiment was in the northern part of the state, near the
Massachusetts line. The soil was a very light sandy loam, and the
field for many years had been used as a pasture. Two or three years
previous to 1890 the thin sod had been broken up and winter rye sown.
The next season buckwheat was grown and the crop turned under
Fertilizer was used and Indian corn planted, which proved a failure,
and ‘“‘strap leaf’’ turnips were sown asa catch crop. In 1889 fertilizer
was again applied, and a fair crop of “ Hungarian” (millet) was grown.
No barnyard manure was ever used on the field. The land was plowed
the depth of the surface soil, about 4 or 5 inches. The plots were
laid out and fertilizers applied as in the previous experiment. The

yields for four years were at the rates per acre shown in Table A.

NoTEes AND CONCLUSIONS.

1890. In the three groups of plots where nitrogen was added
to “mixed minerals,” the “most marked gains were made upon plots
7,8 and g, where it was applied in the form of nitrate of soda. But little
difference is apparent in the yields upon the sulfate of ammonia and
dried blood groups. It is possible that the process of nitrification was
not active enough for the plant to get the benefit from the nitrogen
which had been added in these forms, and that the yield would have
been greater had nitrogen in the form of z/trate of soda been employed
throughout.”

Although the soil was evidently more in need of nitrogen than
either phosphoric acid or potash, its application in addition to those
two (“mixed minerals”) was not profitable except in the form of
nitrate of soda.

1891, ‘Inthe special nitrogen test (plots 7 to 15) we have con-
clusive proof of the superior value of nitrate of soda on this land.”

NITRATE OF SODA

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AS A FERTILIZER. 15

“Of the three forms of nitrogen, wtrate of soda gave the best results.
Dried blood gave better results than sulfate of ammonia.”

1892, “On all the plots where both nitrogen and phosphoric
acid were applied in quantities exceeding the former applications, the
yields have been materially greater and more profitable.”

Nitrate of soda has again shown its superior power. Although sul-
fate of ammonia and dried blood produced about equal yields of hard
corn, the dried blood gave a better yield of stover and, upon the whole,
yielded a more profitable crop.

The average yield of the “ mixed minerals’”’ plots (without nitro-
gen) above the yield of the nothing plots was not sufficient to pay for
the extra cost of fertilizers.

1893, The unfavorable season made the yields of hard corna
little lower than in 1892, and that of stover much less. trate of soda
gave decidedly superior yields over the other forms of nitrogen. The

following table gives the total of the four crops for each plot and each
group:
SUMMARY ABBOTT RUN EXPERIMENT,

1890-1893, INCLUSIVE.

| ToTaL YIELDS PER ACRE

Plot IN 4 Years,
| ats Harp Sorr | Shiifer.
hee Corn. Gorn. (250 °Es
Bus. Bus. | Pounds.
== carmel 2
(| 7 | 193.27 | v.18 | g4as
Nitrate of Soda Group, - 1 8 | 148.27 G20 1) |) 19645
[| 9 | 159.92 | 7.20 | 9750
AV OTRAS 9) Wale es 441.46 21.10 | 27840
(i) ako 65.28 16.48 6975
Sulfate of Ammonia Group, : J [at |» 835% 16.49 6545
| |
[| 12 93.50 15.55 7865
Torats, fet aeons cs 242.85 | 48.52 21385
15 67.71 9.26 8260
Dried Blood Group, - - J} 14 85.56 Seg 8750
(leat: tase 9.06 9225
Sones MUM Varese | 266.68 | 28.09 | 26235

16 NITRATE OF SODA

In the case of each group an increase in the amount of nitrogen
applied gave an increase in the total hard corn and stover obtained in
four years.

The total quantity of soft corn obtained was much the largest in
the sulfate of ammonia group. The dried blood group ranked second,
and the mitrate of soda group produced the smallest quantity ;—less
than half as much as was produced by the sulfate of ammonia group.
This shows a more rapid growth and early maturity on the part of the
crop grown upon the zz-frate of soda. In a northern climate, where
there is a great liability to early frosts, and where a delay of a week or
ten days in the time of maturity may cause serious loss, the argument
for the use of nitrogen in the form of xztrate of soda, and of quick act-
ing fertilizer in general, has considerable weight. The query why
corn fertilized with sulfate of ammonia should be longer in maturing
than when dried blood is used, seems to find its answer in the effect
upon the plant, and upon the nitrification of the chemical added to an
already acid soil, producing conditions which make a longer time
necessary for the completion of the process of nitrification in the case
of the ammonia, than is required for the whole process in the case of
the dried blood.

The } ration of nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda, plot 7, pro-

duced just about double the quantity of hard corn which was produced
in the four years by either of the other forms of nitrogen where a
1 ration was used, plots 10 and 13.

The total yield for four years from all the plots in the wzétrate of
soda group stated in yields per acre, exceeded the total yield from all the
plots in the sulfate of ammonia group by 199.11 bushels of hard corn
and 6455 pounds of stover, at $11.70 /ess cost for fertilizers.

Compared with the dried blood group, the nitrate of soda produced
at the rate of 174.78 bushels hard corn and 1605 pounds of stover more

than the dried blood, at $15.67 /ess expense for fertilizers.

3. HOPE VALLEY, R. I.

Farm or HERBERT E. LEwIs.

The field in which this experiment was located had served for
several years as a cow pasture, and was in a low state of fertility. The
soil was sandy loam in character. The same general method of treat-
ment was followed as in the other experiments. The yields for the

four years, calculated to rates per acre, are given below :

AS A FERTILIZER.

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18 NITRATE OF SODA

Nores AND CONCLUSIONS.

1890, The best results were secured this season from the su -
ate of ammonia group. The fact that two out of eighteen fertilized
plots produced less than the yield from the two plots which received
no fertilizer whatever indicates some variation in fertility. Phosphoric
acid was particularly deficient in this soil, and nitrogen considerably so.

1891, Nitrate of soda this season gave considerably the best yield,
dried blood occupying the second place, plots 14 and 15 surpassing
last year’s yield.

Sulfate of ammonia, which gave the best crop last season, is
quite out-distanced by both the other forms this season.

“The application of fertilizers was accompanied by profit only
when phosphoric acid was applied, and the profit was greatest when the
full ration of nitrogen in the form of trate of soda was used in com-
bination with phosphoric acid and potash.”

1892, The yields from all the plots show a considerable reduc-
tion since the beginning of the experiment. JVitrate of soda again gave
the best crop, with dried blood second, and sulfate of ammonia last.
In the latter case, a 4} ration gave a larger yield than either a 3, or full
ration: a result which indicates a similar soil condition to that found
in the Kingston experiment. A litmus paper test of the soil reveals a
decided acid reaction.

1893, Nitrate of soda gave considerably the best crop: the yield of
hard corn from each plot was only about 3 bushels less than that of
last season. Dried blood again held the second place, but the yields
were from 5 to 9 bushels per plot less than those of last season.
Sulfate of ammonia gave the same marked injurious effect from the
larger applications. The results for the four years of the experiment

are given in the following computation of yields per acre :

AS A FERTILIZER.

SUMMARY HOPE VALLEY EXPERIMENT,
1890-1893, INCLUSIVE.

te)

Nitrate ef Soda Group, -

TOTALS,

Sulfate of Ammonia Group, -

TOTALS,

Dried Blood Group, es

TOTALS,

A
[SS

(FSS

ee eee

Wise ul a).

ToTAL YIELDS PER ACRE
IN 4 YEARS.

Harp Sorr Alene
Corn. Corn. STOVER,
Bus. Bus. | Pounds.
126.39 14.72 | 8964
176.50 13.69 | 11632
162.15 | 18.95 | 11147
405.04 | 42.36 | 31743
115.30 15.07 927
129.86 16.91 9696
106.49 | 16.19 | __8%51
351.65 | 48.17 27722
123.85 | 13.05 8833
137.22 | 15.00 10820
143.69 15.10 10502
404.76 | 43.15 | 30155

NITRATE OF SODA

(qrodoy ‘TW I9) “e6Rt Ur LT ‘a ‘More, odoyxy ye yuottstodxo oy} Woy
‘RIUOWLUY JO 93RI[NS

‘ST[TY OBvI0Av 9914} Syussoadast ornSy you
“BPOS JO 9}BIJIN

“OUWI] ON OULLT] “OTUTL ON “OLUVT

tesa DAR

AS A FERTILIZER. 25

If we compare the figures in the above table of total yields for the
four years, we find that the witrate of soda group, as in the preceding
experiments, ranks first, dried blood second and sulfate of ammonia
third. Almost half, 159.64 bushels, of the total yield of hard corn in
the sulfate of ammonia group was, however, produced in the first year
of the experiment. Both dried blood and sulfate of ammonia gave
greater relative yields in this experiment than in either of the preced-
ing, and the total yield produced by each of the three groups was also

greater, as may readily be seen by the following summary of totals:

SUMMARY OF TOTAL YIELDS IN FOUR YEARS.

Harb SoFr STOVER.
CorRN. CorRN.
Bus. Bus. Pounds.
Kingston...... 420.59 | 42.01 31918
Nitrate of Soda Group... - Abbott Run... 441.46 21.10 27840
Hope Valley... 465.04 | 42.36 31743
Sulfate. of A mIinonia Kingston Pe Chae 206 , 43, 38 r 15 17668
GPOGP eos aso. iowa 4 Abbott Run). «|| 242255 48 52 21385
. Hope Valley...) 351.65 | 48.17 27722
Kam gScOM) ane | 339.37 51.22 28451
Dried Blood Group...... « Abbott Run.. .| 266.68 28.09 26235
Hope Valley... | 404.76 43.15 30155

The superiority of nitrate of soda as a source of nitrogen for the
Indian corn crop is quite evident from the above figures.

These three experiments were the only ones conducted through
four years, and the single element tests showed that phosphoric acid was
much needed in every instance, more so than potash; and nitrogen in
any form would not produce a maximum effect without the “mixed
minerals’? This was quite to be expected, considering that two of
these experiment fields were parts of old cow pastures, and the other
a field much worn by long and exhaustive cropping. AlIl three were
very light sandy-loam soils.

Beginning in 1890, three other experiments were conducted in
other sections of the state for a period of three years, and two, for two
years. In each instance the land was laid out, fertilized, and the ex-
periment carried on in accordance with the rules which governed the

preceding experiments.

22 NITRATE OF SODA

Ace WIEST ERE N Reale
FARM OF COURTLAND P. CHAPMAN.

The soil of the field selected for experiment was a rather rich,
slightly sandy, loam. In 1884 seaweed and stable manure were used to
grow Indian corn; in 1885 seaweed and “phosphate” were used to
grow potatoes. In 1886 it was sown to oats and grass, and until 1890
had been regularly mowed and but lightly top-dressed. This field
appeared to be in a higher state of fertilility than any other under
experiment, and large applications of fertilizers, especially the most
expensive element, nitrogen, showed less profit than upon poorer soils.

The following table shows the yields per acre.
NoTEs AND CONCLUSIONS.

1890. Owing to the natural fertility of the field, the yields from
all the plots were much larger than was the case in any of the previous
experiments. There was almost no difference in the total product of
hard corn from the nitrate of soda group as compared with the dried
blood group. JVitrate of soda was, however, a shade superior in yield,
and gave some 240 pounds more of stover, and, considering its lowe1
cost, was, therefore, fully entitled to the first place as source of nitro-
gen. The total yield from the sulfate of ammonia group was 16
bushels of hard corn less than was produced by the wttrate of soda
group.

1891. There was a large falling off in the yields from all the
plots, but the relation between the different groups was about the
same as in the previous season. The dried blood group this season
slightly exceeded the mtrate of soda group in both total yield of hard
corn and stover. The yields of stover were very uniform for the three
groups, a difference of only 100 pounds existing between the highest

and the lowest total yield.

1892. The yields were larger than in ’91, but not so large as in
‘90, and much greater relative difference existed. Vtrate of soda was
this season most decidedly superior to both other forms of nitrogen. The
total product from the w7trate of soda group was 50.29 bushels of hard
corn and 2320 pounds of stover more than was produced by the dried
blood group. The sulfate of ammonia group gave this season a
better crop of hard corn than the dried blood group, but the latter

AS A FERTILIZER.

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24 NITRATE OF SODA

produced over half a ton per acre more stover than the former. The

total yields for the three years are as follows:

SUMMARY WESTERLY EXPERIMENT, 1890-1892, INCLUSIVE.

ToTaL YIELDS PER ACRE

Plot IN 3 YEARS.
Num- ;

Harb SOFT | STOVER.
bers, | CORN. Corn. |

Bus Bie Pounds.

7 176.48 12.70 10120
8 182.48 13.84 11900
9 176.15 16.41 12230

Nitrate of Soda Group -

sf
a

TRORALS;, © leehfaes 534-99 | 42.95 | 34250

(| 10 | 155.99] 10.93 9360

Sulfate of Ammonia Group, - 4 | 44 165.99 | 12.12 8990
{| 12 | 167.14] 12.70 | 10890

THOTATS! |e 489.12 | 5.75 | 29240

(| 13 | 137.42 | 14.70 8580

Dried Blood Group, : /| 44 | 169.18] 16.70 | 11120
[| 15 | 175.98 | 17.99 | 12640

Mor aisha kena 481.83 | 49.39 | 32340

The above figures show that the witrate of soda group produced
the greatest total yield of hard corn and also of stover in the crops of
three years. Sulfate of ammonia slightly exceeded dried blood in
the total yield of hard corn, but the latter had a considerable excess of
soft corn and stover. This soil was a stronger and much richer one
than that of any one of the preceding experiments. It contained very
much more humus, and doubtless a larger supply of available mineral
plant food. While much larger yields were secured than from the
experiments upon rather poor and “hungry” sandy soils, the applica-
tion of nitrogen in any form in large amounts was more profitable in
dollars and cents upon the latter. In this experiment the greatest

profit came from the use of the 4 ration of nitrogen.

57) NOOSE NECKS Re i:
Farm oF J. B. VAUGHN.

The field in which this experiment was located had not been

AS A FERTILIZER.
plowed or fertilized since 1884, when fodder corn had been planted in

The

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sod, and when the plots were staked out, little besides bluets (owstonta
crops produced upon the three groups of nitrogen plots, calculated to

caerulea) and bird foot violet (viola pedeta) was growing upon it.

yields per acre, were as follows:

drills, with manure.

26 NITRATE OF SODA

NOTES AND CONCLUSIONS.

1890, The largest yields were upon those plots where nitrogen
was added to the “‘mixed minerals.’”’ Nitrogen seemed to be the element

most lacking

g, although potash and phosphoric acid were also deficient.

“So far as the eye could detect there was little difference between the
the wzitrate of soda and the sulfate of ammonia groups, other than that
the latter plots were not so mature as the former.” ‘“ Nitrogen in the
form of nitrate of soda and sulfate of ammonia, gave better returns than
in the form of dried blood, and its application, even in considerable
quantities, in the two former cases was accompanied by profit, and in
the latter case by loss.”

‘The corn upon the plots supplied with nitrogen in the form of
sulfate of ammonia, was /ater in maturing than where nitrogen in the
form of nitrate of soda was used.”

‘‘Potash and phosphoric acid applied alone proved unprofitable,
which was not the case when combined with nitrogen in the most

available form.”

1891. Sulfate of ammonia, which gave a trifle the largest crop
last year, was third in order this season, and dried blood was first, but
exceeded nitrate of soda by only 0.35 of a bushel of hard corn and 350
pounds of stover.

” Since the field was especially lacking in phosphoric acid, the good
showing for the blood may, probably, to some extent be due to the
amount of phosphoric acid which it contained.” (The dried blood
contained 3.21 per cent. of phosphoric acid, while that obtained in 1892

for these experiments contained only 0.42 of a per cent.)

1892, This third season the nitrate of soda group produced yelds
much greater than were produced by either of the other groups A
lack of seasonable rains, from which the crop suffered, may in part
account for the reduced yields from the sulfate of ammonia and dried
blood groups; the soil being too dry for nitrification to go on with
sufficient rapidity to furnish the necessary nitrates for plant growth.

“Nitrate of soda gave by far the best results, while sulfate of
ammonia and dried blood did not produce yields commensurate with

their cost.

Following is the table of total yields for three years:

AS A FERTILIZER. 27

SUMMARY NOOSE NECK EXPERIMENT,

1890-1892, INCLUSIVE.

ToTaL YIELDS PER ACRE
| Plot IN 3 YEARS.
| Num- : z
| LNB a | STOVER.
b Corn. CoRN.
ers.
Bus. Bus. Pounds.
(| 7 | 80.21 9.85 | 6860
Nitrate of Soda Group, - 1), ea: 006.98 9.57 | 7020
L| 9 | 124.64 | 9.99 | 8385
AROMATICS on) berets 311.63 29.31 | 22215 _
(| 10 | 75.56 6.36 | 6845
Sulfate of Ammonia Group, - | 11 | 101.41 8.71 | 6925
|
ale 107.06 8.71 7820
AouwNes, | ledoaee 284.08 23.78 21590
(ids 71.42 5.18 5725
: |
Dried Blood Group, - - {| 14 19.2 8.41 6845
| 15 99 00° 8.06 7035
AN OMEATES ag Wa lieuersiitiers 249 63 21.60 19605

The total yields for the three years from the mtrate of soda group,
exceeded the yields in either of the other groups, in hard corn, soft corn,
and stover. Sulfate of ammonia produced the next best yield, as the
total produced by the dried blood group was cut down considerably by
the small yield in 1892.

6, JAMESTOWN, R. I.
ParM or 2) A. Hs Terer,

This experiment was located on the north end of the island of
Conanicut. The soil was a black loam. The field had been in grass
for forty years, and had received no top dressing in any form for seven
or eight years, except across one corner of some of the single ele-
ment plots. The land was plowed 43 inches deep. The ends of some
of the plots were too low and wet for the corn crop, but, in harvesting,
a given section of the whole plot, representing a normal yield, was

weighed, and the weights for the whole plot calculated from this. In

28 NITRATE OF SODA

1891 a portion of a field located upon higher ground, and better
adapted to the corn crop, was selected for experiment. The soil was
a light sand, with gravelly subsoil. The last application of manure
was about twelve years ago, since which time it has grown two crops
of corn, one each of oats and rye, and several crops of grass. The soil
was very badly “run down,” and only occasional tufts of grass covered
the surface. The following table gives the yields upon the plots of

the two fields, calculated to yields per acre:

1890 (1st Field.) 1891 (2d Field.)
Bus. Bus. |Pounds.|| Bus. Bus. | Pounds.
Nitrate of Soda Group. » en bt

Plot Ol ration. seme. eee 57.14 | 17.14 3400 34.28 | 7.14 2850
fe eh Bec ee ae ate Uae aoe 60.00 | 15.71 37100 Gay idl easel 3600
oe al soe ge aay tee 65.71 | 17.14 | 4000 || 26.48 | 7.14 | 2900

Dried Llood Group.

Plotels we ration... eee 37.14 | 12.86 2800 22.14 5.71 2400
Cee Se ale sie ( ammibrmee are Oars | At 08.57 | 11.48 2900 24.28 8.57 2800
sa [6 ILS aaah a Neemi F ceedk ou 14. | 15.7 2900 15.71 7.14 2100

NoTEs AND CONCLUSIONS.

1890, The plots comprising the wtrate of Soda group gave con-
siderably ¢he best yields, and a profitable increase over the yield from
“mixed minerals’? without nitrogen. The plots in the sulfate of
ammonia group ranked second in yield, but the corn was later in
maturing, and the yield of soft corn was large. The dried blood, for
some reason, seemed to be of no advantage, as the yield from the
mixed mineral plots on either side of this group, without addition of
nitrogen, gave larger yields.

1891. The soil of this field was very poor sandy loam, quite un-

like that used the previous season. The yields were not so large as

AS A FERTILIZER. 29

from the other field, but again nztrate of soda gave by far the best results,
sulfate of ammonia ranked second, and dried blood gave the smallest
yields. As this experiment was not consecutive upon the same field,
we omit a summary of the yields for two years. The superior yields
from the use of w¢rate of soda are very evident in both instances, and
its lower cost adds to the economy of its use.

An experiment was conducted for three years upon the farm of
Copwell and Tillinghast, at Summit, and one for two years upon the
farm of H. Hartwell Jencks, Lime Rock, but as considerable inequality
in the natural fertility of the different plots was apparent in the results,
we will not take space for the details. An experiment was conducted
for one season in three other localities in the state, but as the results
are all summarized in the “Conclusions” by Dr. Wheeler in 1890, and
later by Mr. Lowar, we quote from their reports in relation to the use
of materials for the supply of nitrogen.

1890, ‘Nitrogen proved most profitable upon soils with little
sod and humus, ?. ¢., light sandy, or gravelly,loams. Taking all the ex-
periments into consideration, nitrogen in the form of wtrate of soda
was more certain to give fair returns than in either of the other forms. Tts
lesser cost ts, also, an additional argument tn tts favor.”

‘‘The sulfate of ammonia gave, in one or two instances, better returns
than wtrate of soda, though in two cases, at least, the period of growth
was prolonged by its use which may, perhaps, have been due to delayed
nitrification. In one instance’, the sulfate nitrogen appears not only
not to have been available to the plant, but to have had a decidedly
injurious effect, for it more than neutralized the otherwise good effect
of the potash and phosphoric acid with which it was applied. The
greater the! application of the sulfate, the more disastrous were the

results.”

“On the whole, nitrogen in the form of dried blood proved inferior
to both the other forms.”

1891. ‘While in four cases, in 1890, potash appeared the most
deficient, it has in no case, upon a second trial been found so much
lacking as phosphoric acid.”

“ Of the three forms of nitrogen, m7trate of soda has, upon the whole,
proved the most profitable, and sulfate of ammonia the least.”

““In most of the plots where dried blood was applied, the corn

1 Used upon a soil having a decided acid re-action.

30° NITRATE OF SODA

ripened earlier, and showed, when compared with the wtrate of soda
and sulphate of ammonia plots, a greater relative yield than in 1890.
This gain may be due to the fact that the dried blood contained, in
addition to the organic nitrogen, a small amount of phosphoric acid,
and this amount was unusually great in the blood used in 1891. The
phosphoric acid may have increased the yield. Another cause for the
increase might be, since nitrification of dried blood is somewhat slow,
that, in all probability, some of the nitrogen applied on these plots in
1890 was unused until 1891.”

1892. ‘Phosphoric acid has in every case proved itself the most
deficient, followed by nitrogen.”

In the special nitrogen tests, trate of soda takes first place tn all but
one instance, where tt holds second place. Sulfate of ammonia holds first
place once, second place twice and third place three times. Dried
blood holds second and third places three times each.

‘“The ill effects of sulfate of ammonia were wholly prevented by
the application of air-slaked lime.”

1893, The three experiments continued through four years,
showed by considerably increased crops the superior effect of nitrate of soda
as a source of nitrogen. If we represent the total product from the
nitrate of soda groups, in the three experiments, for the whole time, by
roo in the case of the hard corn, soft corn and stover, then the products
in the other two groups would be represented as follows: The relative
cost of the fertilizers for the three groups, calculated on the same basis,

is also included in the table.

Hard corn. Soft Corn, Stover. Cost.
Nitrate of Soda group, 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Sulfate of Ammonia group, 60.3 127.8 72.9 105.0
Dried Blood group, 76.1 16.1 92.7 107.4

These figures show plainly the proportional gains in hard corn and
stover made by the nitrate of soda group, in these three experiments, con-
sidered as a unit, and also the increased proportional cost of the
fertilizers for the dried blood and sulfate of ammonia groups, as com-
pared with that of the ztrate of soda group. In the case of the soft corn
the nitrate of soda gave the smallest yield, dried blood yielding about one-
sixth more, and sulfate of ammonia fully one quarter more. This
result in the totals of these experiments for a term of years, is in accord
with observations in the case of individual experiments already noticed,

when the corn upon the dried blood and sulfate of ammonia plots,

AS A FERTILIZER. 31

particularly the latter, required a considerably longer time to mature
than was required for that upon the wtrate of soda plots. This point
in favor of the use of wtrate of soda has an important bearing upon the
use of fertilizers in northern latitudes.

CowreEA.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.

Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

EXPERIMENTS: WITTE AyVARIEDY* OF) CROPS?

The marked ill effect of increased applications of sulfate of am-
monia to the corn crop in the “‘ Twentieth-acre Cooperative Experi-
ment,” on the grounds of the Experiment Station at Kingston, R. I.,

and the fact that applications of air-slaked lime corrected the ill effects,

CANTALOUPE.

Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

as already stated, led to the institution of an experiment upon four of
the permanent plots, located a short distance to the south, upon the
same level sandy loam plain land. These plots are separated from

each other by unmanured spaces of three feet, and are so laid out that

1 Compiled from the Annual Reports of the Rhode Island Agricultural Ex-
periment Station, from 18 3 to 1897, inclusive. The experiment was in charge
of Dr. H. J. Wheeler, chemist, assisted by the Agricultural Division.

32 NITRATE OF SODA

a border of three feet upon each side, and six feet across each end, is
fertilized at the same rate and cultivated in the same way as the real
plot which lies within. This permits the discarding from the experi-
ment the outside rows, which necessarily obtain more air, light and
room than interior ones, and, thus, only results from interior rows,
which approximate field conditions, are used for comparative work.
The interior plots are 1814 feet long and 24 feet wide, making an area
of =, of an acre. In 189t a crop of beans, and in 1892 a crop of Indian
corn had been grown without manures upon these plots, for the pur-
pose of ascertaining if they were suitable for comparative work. As
they proved very uniform in quality, were level, parallel and adjacent
to each other, they were well adapted to the work proposed, viz.,

the use of nitric and ammoniacal forms of nitrogen, with and with-

Soja BEAN.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.

Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

out lime, in the growth of a variety of farm and garden crops.
We have thus far studied the effect of n7trate of soda upon the corn crop
alone. We have now to observe its effect upon a great variety of
crops, including grasses, nursery stock and small fruits.

The four plots were manured alike with muriate of potash, at the
rate of 200 pounds per acre, and dissolved bone-black at the rate of
600 pounds per acre. Plots 23 and 25, toward the west, received an
additional dressing of 360 pounds per acre of sulfate of ammonia, and
the two toward the east, 27 and 29, a dressing of witrate of soda at the
rate of 465 pounds per acre, or at sucha rate that the amount of nitrogen
applied upon each plot was exactly the same. One of the sulfate of am-
monia plots, No. 25, and one of the nitrate of soda plots, No. 29, re-

AS A FERTILIZER. 33

ceived, in addition, a dressing of air-slaked lime at the rate of 5400
pounds per acre. The lime was applied by itself and thoroughly har-
rowed in. The other fertilizers were carefully applied broadcast, and
well worked in by harrowing. Seeds of a large variety of crops were
planted in rows three feet apart, running across all four plots. The
following table shows the weights of the various crops, obtained

from a given and equal length of row on each of the four plots.

“Ws?

MANGEL WURZEL.

Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash or Phosphoric Acid.

There are 43 weights given in each column of the above table,
representing 37 different crops, and from the wz/imed plots, 23 and 27,
the same amount of nitrogen in zitrate of soda upon plot 27 as com-
pared with a like quantity of nitrogen in sulfate of ammonia upon plot
23, produced a heavier crop tn every case. In g instances in the case of

the sulfate of ammonia, plot 23, there were no weights to record. The

CABBAGE.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

total failures included all four varieties of beets, Jerusalem corn, early
and late cabbage (trimmed heads), spinach and merchantable potatoes.
All the conditions of seed and planting, care of crops and harvesting,
were, so far as possible, identical in the case of these four plots. In

planting all the small seeds, the seed-sower was run directly across the

34 NITRATE OF SODA

AB EE dy

1895

UNLIMED.

IPikoye Ba}, || Pore, Be |
iSulfate of} Nitrate
Amm/’nia of Soda.

Crim SOmichovera me arian sceocen ae connate
IWihitevbeansi(as pulled) yas sory: ese -er yes
White podded adzuki beans (soy) ......
Cow pea (green)....... ocd Pee ie Re a
LOMA OLSEN Ey UREA Dates Uae, Cates ame ay |
HSI MOIME (AS IeVAVESUEC)). oka cosueoe 5 |
‘‘Granger” pea (pods and vines).... ...
Wihitecappedscornm (ereen)s. 5... .-s.0.
Dent corn oy Manisiausiichcr S's cera
Pop-corn cS exer ar car reese
Sweet corn SAS ie, Sema a ceed |
Eclipse table beet (roots and tops) ......
French sugar beets us CO ucteizce
Long red mangels SS ee
Golden tankard beets ‘‘ Ce wikekotits
Victoria carrots “ See | Ulsse psc |
Mastodon carrots ae ‘ ae
Rutabagas (Swedish turnips) ‘‘ ......
Niall SLAP CAINE (CGAKSSIM), So Gooconoce
Kaffir corn ae
JerusalemPeorn Se Sele wn Loc mat nies cas
Sunflowers (seeds and stalks)...........
Kalle (@reéen) tains ea aetbec eras ree eee
IVA Ces} O) ONES (HOY! HMOYD)\s sce nanacecace
ie if (trimmed heads)....
Wakercabbagien(coralkerop)aeememeteeeies
i ss (trimimedineads)i252s5.55-
Spinacha(Gkeen) pe aan ere reese err
Early rose potatoes (total crop).........
ue uf ae (arse tubers)P 2...
ANONAMAN KOSS) (HOLA! TREC) o o550. ado oovoc0boc
(GUPe ENE) iio. Sore vishasiss acre Shake
(Calan HOH) os oa cocscoounaU <
(QmbASS, ARS) Solgoaas 4c eens
IY SULICE ores ore eickerstcisie cc isle ether) iSieTy aie
Oats, straw and grain (as harvested)...
Barley.) * af
Rye S e ‘s
FRUNGATIATY (GTEC) S ionpchaieiaiShator Aareierore Aaione
Grollateia waste” SF Sagagueoadoacods codes
Italian ‘“ HOW Eis aera stan, e AUS sie cione micah
Panicum crus-sallil(ereem)nen ee ae |
Buckwheat Se ip ae Uno eye ne

bss 9s lbs:
3.05 19.50
4.12 4.81
13.62 22.81
10.37 12.00
esis) 9) Fy iste
12.63 14.44
44 | 1.88 |
3.06 | 12.63
2.50 | 9.25
3.69 | 18.63
2.95 14.13
20 9.00
00 5-25
00 | 9.80
00 7 foo Ns
OC 25.00
44 29.00
15 25 75-75
02 | -56
05 2.44
00 -50

16.75 | 46.00
00 | 10.00
00 -69
6.25 | 13.56

00 2.98
3.07 29.63
1.63 15.690
1.44 13.94
7,81 16.13

03-4 -13

4.44 5-50

50 2.88
1.00 2.13
1 stoi 8.75
ill) 12.63

2.50 19.56

12.18 43.06

43.38 66.19

LIMED.

Plot 25. | Plot 29.
| Sulfateof) Nitrate
Amm/’nia’ of Soda.

|| Lbs. Lbs.
|| 20.7% 26.50
eo nepeen
|| 22.87 18.00
|| 12.31 9 44
li 788. 800
4.25 5.56
| 4.94 2.88
| 13.69 8 75
15.00 9 88
res 30.00
24.50 | 20.75
42.00 | 69.25
60.75 | 94.75

ll Gi00%|) aa7ses0
| 48.50 | 68.00
4250 | 40.50
|| 70.50 50.00
65.25 | 115.50

4999) de F502
| 11.68 | 9.19

OTB le idee
|| 54.88 43.80

6.16 7.30
95181 |< 41-62
16). aul 10.06

63 10.13
5.31 7-50
3.94 5-31
2.25 2.06

10 69 8.31
16.44 14.138
21.38 16.75
41.25 58.00

1 But few of this variety reached maturity.
2 Tubers 2 oz, or more in weight.

AS A FERTILIZER. 35

four plots, including the three-foot paths which separated them, thus
insuring the same rate of seeding and depth of covering. After the
plants were up, lines were stretched and the paths hoed out. The
beet seed germinated as well upon plot 23 as upon any one of the

others, but the young plants soon stopped growing, turned a sickly

Lettuce
Nitrate of soda without lime.

‘
e

R. I. Report, 189

Lettuce
Nitrate of soda with lime.

red hue and died. The beets upon plot 27, where ztrate of soda was
used, made some growth, but not a profitable one, as compared with
the crop produced by the same amount of fertilizer in connection with

lime on plot 29. Spinach and lettuce are also very susceptible to soil

36 NITRATE OF SODA

acidity and greatly benefitted by the wse of ime in connection with nitrate
of soda upon such soils.

The reader may say that these are unusual results due to very
peculiar soil conditions, but considerable investigation, very many
litmus paper soil tests, and a number of experiments in the grow-
ing of beets, barley, clover and grass (in which, however, there
was no comparison of forms of nitrogen) show that very large areas of

land in this and other states are atfected by similar conditions to a

SuGAR BEETS
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

greater or less extent. These plots are surrounded by hundreds of
acres of landof a similar character, 7.¢., level, light sandy loam, naturally
well drained, but thin soil, more or less exhausted by long continued
cropping, so that the above resuits can by no means be claimed as
peculiar to the particular plots used for the experiment.

Turning to the limed plots, 25 and 29, we find that ntrate of soda

gave greater yields in 25 out of the 43 weights. The application of lime was.

‘TABLE BEETs.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

quite a heavy one, about two and three fourths tons per acre (5400 lbs.,)
and further investigation has shown that some varieties of plants were
perhaps injuriously affected by the large application of lime in con-
junction with the zztrate of soda. This is particularly applicable to the
carrot, which should be planted two or three years after liming rather

than immediately after.

AS A FERTILIZER. S7/

The experiment was continued upon the same plots, and in 1894,

potash, phosphoric acid and nitrogen were applied, at the same rate

CELERY.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.
and in the same forms, upon the respective plots as in 1893. An
additional application of half a ton per acre of air-slaked lime was

applied to plots 25 and 29, which had been limed the previous season.

SoRGHUM.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 28. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

This was done because the soil of these plots was found to be still
slightly acid. As before, the different crops were planted, or set in rows,

generally three feet apart, directly across the plots, but in the case

38 NITRATE OF SODA

AWANIBILAS, Jl
UNLIMED. | Linen.
[ssi fh
1894 Plot 23. | Plot 27. || Plot 25. | Plot 29.

Sulfate of} Nitrate ||Sulfate of; Nitrate
Ammnia) of Soda. | Amm nia! of Soda,

es bse es: | Lbs.
Spinal. nia snenwve obs sky eee aes OO | FpOsn I Week i Sean
Gumbo amas ene See eee tok 0.0 2.1 20.0 23.8
Sucambeets Wee saccuscoeaee teenie 0.0 3-0 25.0 33.0
WUSHEUCE Fan ctee ncaa chameerger ecto or eee 0.0 06 | Bods 6.0
Salsity(wholejplant) yy gure saat ene OO le a5 24.5 | 27.0
Celety see tee Gee eee OLS Asse 2320) 7) e4oNs5
Oniorn(Red) <4. sator ae toe ee ee 0.0 2.0 — 810" | 1S.0
EUs ClO A Nae artceia by dordicroues coy amicord: 0.0 kina S208 wl a elssO
Globe Mangel-wurzelie....2..:6 2.02-l- 0.0 5-3 23.8 | 43.5
Long oe ES (rootsiandtops)jaeee 0.0 P17 )og: o1.1 | 135.0
WDalblGADCCtS MA cue Le coppers tee Eraser 0.0 11.5 40.0 | 61.5
Muskmelon (fruit)...... SO See We oS 0.0 7-1 29.9" "|" "33-4
Late cabbage (trimmed heads).......... 0.0 7-0 || 34.6 | 71.0
Toba ceo. t nee. eather meds Pe StL SS 9-5 |; 38.3 | 43.0
Eee planta (taaityen 7. st acc cermin ete 2.3 4.0 1.8 15.1
Canliflower(heads)\tact a eae ae. 0.0 1.8 118) Bay
Cucumber (irait) eee eee eae Oma 28.9 | 36.1 87.3
DOTS Ue ont ee ACE Ol aa aice 0.0 23-6 || 908.4 79-5
Martynia (whole plant)........ .ic-.2 2. 1.0 17.8 22.5 50.6
Pepper (Gnuit) pene te. aoeere eae eon 0.1 2.3 || 4.5 6.3
Pea mut: eer setae ees ee 3.8 5-5 | 3.3 3-9
Barley; (aiunidinied) eyeballs tee Over 1.8 -|| 3.6 Ie
RADE). cro crer ek ic eee ee ee 0.0 58-0 || /97-8 114.4
Red clover (ainidniedi\n.. s0aene ee be 0.2 41 | 9.5 7.0
Potato, Beauty of Hebron (tubers)...... 5.2 16.5 | Dona
Potato, Early Rose (tubers)............ 1.3 One| 8.3 | 9.8
Garden peactn5.. -amaeennem ce rece 0.1 S200. 4H) Palo 14.2
TORR EIDE c tele 6h peer ane reel aano fen 0.5 50, | Ors 9.4
BGUSSElsSpRoutss tal sane neta 6.3 64:6 ||". '9523) | 101-4
Golden wax bean (beans and pods, ripe). 0.0 2.4 || 3.3 3-8
Buckwheat, (ain dined). sae. alee stent 0.8 3.8 || D0 5.8
Rutabaga, or Swedish turnip........... 1.5 45-5 09.8 60.5
Tomiatot(iruit)ie 27. tase ae aes eaten ook 13.9 157-8 | 170.9 215.2
Sunilowenerkace. Caren enter ee 0.8 50.3) || 469.34) (8450
Sy onertialten sylonseae (Buse Geel), 555ancnsccnac i eOea 0.5 | 0.8 (0). 7
Radish, Jongescarlety. (20-0 tee 0.6 4-6 || IRS 6.3
DatntpwStro pleats at.ncsss.twel See lg atest 38.0 35.5 | 44.0
Early Cabbage (trimmed heads)......... | 2.0 55-3 | 71.3 63.1
Danvers carretsecs 4 etsen.ces ae 1; 0:6 27.1 |) 24.0 19.4
White RMN es Arras RAI on tan RUN ee eee i? e200 16247) 4324 19.4
Improved long orange carrot........... | 0.0 Ne ea ete) 0) 9.0
Wale) #Y secean eects in tee ha dame pLOed 64.8 || 95.0 |. 94.4
SWECl COticcs cuamich. ck eaen Pee ee ee Kean 48.3 | 62.1 53.5
Oats (Girdle) sere teste se et ee Oa Bea. ull 4.6 359)

AS A FERTILIZER. 39

of beets, spinach, lettuce, and a few other crops, the young plants upon
plot 23 practically all died before the time when the second or third
leaves should have appeared. On the preceding page we give a con-
densed table of the results obtained in 1894:

TABLE II, Conrinuep.

UNLIMED. LIMED.

1894 Plot 23. | Plot 27. || Plot 25. | Plot 29.

Sulfateof| Nitrate ||Sulfate of| Nitrate

Amm’nia}| of Soda. ||Amm/‘nia) of Soda.
Ips: Lbs: Lbs. Lbs.
WD AniG|eMWOny acd yoke eee Neo ee 0.0 16.6 16.8 17.9
STON SICH Olan nee a tate cer ees SeePe 4.8 44.0 62.0 46.5
Sprine pye.(aiedried) en a. ceeeees ss. sees 1.5 3-9 3.9 4-0
WOM Pea ie. Ap sioh eee eee 10.4 38.5 33.0 30.0
German mullet(aimidnied)ies.s-.s. eee 0.6 7.0 3.3 6.3
Common white bean (whole plant)...... 1.0 6.8 6.5 6.0
Radish= French brealetast .. ssc. 0.4 3-8 HG 3-3
Goldenmmiuiller (ain dried)ins cease eee 0.5 9.6 8.8 8.4
Wiatermeclony(iGtiit) eee ite eerie neti 85.5 249.6 141.7 160.4
R. I. capped corn (ears and stover)...... 0.0 28.3 27.0 17.3
Pumpkin (fruit)...... Lesa ts ee ora 0.0 87.2 31.5 48.5
Bite Linpime (air dried)... seams aeer 2.9 6.0 209 1.4
Boucle (Comm Oniwee dl): nyse eyelet 84.5 76.0 Ta) 27/5

DANDELION.
Unlimed.
Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

Plot Nos. 29. Limed.
Nitrate of Soda.

Limed. 23. Unlimed.

25.

In this trial we have a wide variety of field and garden crops, and

one weed, sorrel, was included because of the common impression that

40 NITRATE OF SODA

it thrives best upon an acid soil. In the 57 records made in the above
table, comparing the unlimed plots, 23 and 27, we find that this season,

as well as last, wtrate of soda has produced a greater yield in every tnstance

ALFALFA.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

save one, sorrel, where sulfate of ammonia gave the larger crop. In 22
instances there was no crop whatever from the sulfate of ammonia
plot, while in not a single instance did w¢rate of soda make a complete
failure. On the contrary, n7rate of soda without lime, in twelve instances,

not counting sorrel, produced a larger crop than when lime was added.

GERMAN MILLEY.

Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash aud Phosphoric Acid.

Comparing the yields from the //med plots, 25 and 29, we find that
the crops produced by nitrate of soda have exceeded those produced by
sulfate of ammonia in 4¢ cases out of the 57 recorded, and in the 13 ex-
ceptions we notice that in 6 instances nitrate of soda without lime, plot 27,

has given larger yields than sulfate of ammonia with lime, plot 25. We

AS A FERTILIZER. 41

therefore find ¢hat the yields from nitrate of soda, with or without the
addition of lime, have exceeded those from sulfate of ammonia plus lime, tn
50 out of 57 trials, embracing a great variety of field and garden crops.

In 1895, 12 varieties of grasses were sown across the plots, and a
number of vegetables, cereals and miscellaneous crops were again

planted. Some modifications of the previous manuring were made, as

YELLOW ONIONS.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

follows: owing to the known deficiency of phosphoric acid in this soil,
the application of dissolved bone-black was increased from 600 to 800
pounds per acre: the amount of muriate of potash was also increased
from 180 to 350 pounds per acre: the amount of strate of soda remained
the same as in 1894, and a like quantity of nitrogen, in the form of
sulfate of ammonia, was applied, each upon its respective plot. No

further application of air-slaked lime was made, but sulfate of magnesia

JIKOHL-RABI.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 20. Limed. 23. Unlimed.

Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

at the rate of 200 pounds per acre, was applied to all the plots.‘ This
was done for the reason that previously better results had been obtained
from the limed plot which received trate of soda than from the other
limed plot which received sulfate of ammonia, differences which might
have, in part, been attributed to the liberation of magnesia by the soda.”

The months of June and July proved to be very wet as compared

with the same months in 1894, when only 1.85 inches of rain fell. During

42 NITRATE OF SODA

those two months in 1895, 9.19 inches of rain fell. It has been observed
that in very wet seasons sulfate of ammonia generally produces better
results than in dry seasons. This may be due, to some extent, to more
rapid nitrification because of the more abundant moisture, and no
doubt, also, when used upon acid soils, to the fact that the larger

amount of rain falling dilutes the soil moisture and weakens the acid

EARLY CABBAGE.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.

Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

reaction, so that the soil acidity is less injurious to plants. On the
other hand, such excessive rain falls, coming just after wtrate of soda has
been applied, and before the crop has had opportunity to take it up, is
lable to carry some portion of the nitrogen down below the reach of
the plant roots. It will be seen by the following table of weights of
field and garden plots, that the yields from sulfate of ammonia com-

pare more favorably with those from wtrate of soda than heretofore.

W ATERMELONS.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.

Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

There are 24 weights given in the table, and only five absolute
failures from plot 23, sulfate of ammonia without lime. The crops
which absolutely failed were alfalfa, onions, pumpkins, muskmelons and
dandelions, but barley, wheat, celery, mangel-wurzel and table beets,
carrots and cabbages failed to produce more than a fraction of a pound

each. This plot, however, produced the heaviest yield of watermelons,

AS A FERTILIZER. 43

in marked contrast to the utter failure of the muskmelons. The yield
of oats and rye exceeded that produced upon plot 27, with wztrate of
soda, by less than a poundeach. Therefore, in spite of the better crops
produced by the sulfate of ammonia on plot 23, the yields from w¢rate
of soda on plot 27 were greater in the case of 21 out of 24 crops. Com-
paring the yields upon the limed plots, we find that strate of soda gave
the larger yield with 10 crops and sulfate of ammonia with 14, but two
of the ra, field corn and serradella, only exceeded the yield from wtra/e

of soda by the fraction of a pound.

TAB L Bane
UNLIMED. LIMED.

1886 Plot 23. | Plot 27. |] Plot 25. | Plot 29.

Sulfate of) Nitrate ||Sulfateof| Nitrate

Amm’nia! of Soda. ||}Amm’nia| of Soda.

bse bss ieee bs: | Lbs.
Barley (avg. of 2 rowS)............0000. fp ROALS™ 1] > geen (PEER AI oreh.SS
Wheat bea a bath) OM sak hie ie MnO 2S 2.63 || 6.90 | 5.08
Oats Fal (SR bl “7st eee | 8.48 8.15 10.18 8.75
Rye uC MOT UTE GENET 3 ees 2.75 || 3.23 2.05
Sweet corn (ears and stover).:.. ...... 440 | 25.00 59.80 37.29
Field corn a LOL ARS Sec 2.15 20.90 || 22.35 22.25
Pop-corn #6 bb PA Sy Rena tases | OD 44-50 42.30 45-98
Panicum enus-calli (millet) == yasmeeeee: 11.45 | 19.00 | 17.20 15.60
Atalay G@lstiandyerdicrop) seen | 0.00 5-60 16.75 10.60
SOIC ed ARG 24 etn tS purrs Lon oe eee eer ae | 108.25 |124.60 || 108.60 ; 102.50
Berradeliai et. 42.0 cae «ae Ne een | 39.05 | 56.55 39.65 39.05
j SIRS ey ov n= east ae eR Beenie ee Maple | 30.50 | 44.00 29 25 25.75
Welengy ute oo 4 so Aye ee ee | 0.05 0.50 10.55 13.80
Onions (Barlettay) es sae cent ae oe 0.00 | 2.50 22102 eule.7o
Beh 101)0) dna eee ae Dire a Seer acs Cod or — 0.00 25.00 48.60 | 134.05
Beets man cel-witirzellee a. a-rane eeeier 0.10 24.10 90.65 119.25
Miskennelont..on toh hake ha eae a oer 0.00 | 26.40 47.90 | 64.60
OFFA HTe OT NS Poth ae COPED AF BEStE Plebec Sar sare MRL NY 0.15 | 43.00 83.85 84.45
Map lene StS ivy rec ete eect ee eles eee 0.20 54-10 105.70 | 99.45
Cabbage (trimmed heads). - os... 254 5- 0:60 | 57-10 || 70.40 | (97-15
Kohi-tabis. 4.2... ISN Aas at AAR RN 1.80 | 33.50 || 57.50.| 58.55
Dam delivOmr ress 6 esac sete seeas tote ee 0.00 | 13-55 20.62 23-58
Baten x..). o6c..55 soe eer ee ee 28 .50 80.00 124.00 107.30
Wiaterm clonic... oir cen ean eee 136.00 | 104.75 20.60 | 57.10
GRASSES.

The grasses were sown in narrow beds across the four plots, the

varieties being separated by a cultivated path. As the seed was sown

4A NITRATE OF SODA

in the spring of 1895, a full crop could hardly be expected that season
but all were cut, and the experiment continued for two more seasons.

For convenience and brevity we combine the yields for the three years

‘TimoTHy.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda.

Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

in one table. Each variety was cut when in full bloom, or as soon

thereafter as possible. The weights for timothy in 1895 were un-

fortunately lost. The weights given are of undried material.

Sweet Corn (Maize).
. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda.

Plot No. 29

Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

The figures in the following table do not represent pure cultures of
the several varieties, for, while as good seed as could be had was used,

there was some intermixture of other grasses, or plants, in every case.

AS A FERTILIZER. 45.

TABLE MV:
UNLIMED. | LIMED.
|
VARIETIES OF GRASSES. Year.| piot 23. | Plot 27. || Plot 25. | Plot 29.

Sulfate of| Nitrate |Sulfateof) Nitrate
Ammnia! of Soda. | Amm’nia| of Soda.

Lbs. bss | Lbs. Lbs.

Awnless Brome Grass, ort 1895 11.25 1 15 27.00 27.50
(Bromus imermizs). f ica en oe | ae ges
Torars, |...... ~30.68 | 39.00 || 55.55 | 52.90

Meadow Fox-tail, - = ( ieee ene il Acton i Bu Ok Sent
(Alopecurus pratensis. | tear | i430 | 13,00 i150 | 15°80
Torats, |...... 62.5 | 75-95 _ 77.80 | 87.40

Tal Fosous, «= = {] 1908 ROB (BRO | a as a
(Festuca elatior). (| 1897 | 16:30 | 14.30 | 22/80 | 25.00
TOGeES! « eos. GOOF _72.90 || 99.40 | 103.15

Kentucky Blue Grass, - (| re aos Paco 16.00 — 18.25
(Pon pratensis) {| MU) kas | 20 |) 8.0 | 1109

“Mo maSs Weg ee mie acm 29.40 | 35.80 _ aves

eee ele ar ay (| 1897 | 17.00 | 19.50 14.00 | 17.50
TOTALS): sre .ae- 72.25 | 63.95 || 71.65 | 71,25

Geracae GAGs. ae 1895 | 25.75 | 40.50 || 42.00 | 47.00
(Dactylis glomerata). | ee a er ts “ ca
TOTARS whoa cen 60.95 | 78.20 87.20 96.85

( 1895 | 30.75 | 35.25 || 84.75 | 38.25
1896 | 20.50 24 30 24.15 28.10
| 1897 | 13.50 12.50 11.50 16.80

Meadow Oat Grass, - -
(Avena elatzor.)

Towats, Vekedes | 64.75 __ 72.05 7 70.40 | 83.15

ee oe gars, ae 1895 | 72.25 | 68.75 || 75.25 | 69.75

Son wea 1 Meer 19.15 | 20.92 || 26.20 | 24.50
(Holcus lanatus). | 1897 11.80 730 11 00 1700
Topas kp svece 103.20 | 96.97 112.45 111.25

1895 | 23.00 | 21.00. 25.27 20.75
1 Rent, “2. = :

SNES TES 1896 | 29.50 | 19.30 || 25.35 | 22.70

(Agrostis canina). 1897 | 15.00 | 13.30 10.50 | 18.50
BOTALS, (| sede- 67.50 53.60 61.12 | 61.05 —

Sweet Vernal, - - §| 1895 5.75 9.00 9.25 8.00.

(Anthoxanthum od. plete {| 1897 3.70 7.70 6.10 9.20

TOT ATGEN lene 9.45 16.70 15.35 17.20.

aN : : x a 1895 3.75 1.25 2.50 oho

pheenS Beseue. 7 1896 | 11.50 7.55 13.90 | 11.40
"TORAGS, Wilerige 23.55 | 14.10 24.90 | 25.15

Mimothy, <= = = §] 1896 | 21.10 | 25.30 31.05 30.80.
(Phleum pratense). (| 1897 | 14.10 20.40 23.80 23.70 |
ANGER “lboonac 35.20 45-70 54.85 54.50 |

46 NITRATE OF SODA

Upon plot 23, in the case of Kentucky blue grass, orchard grass, timothy,
and some others, the soil conditions appeared to be unfavorable to
their growth, and they only persisted in a feeble way, or gave place to

coarser plants. In harvesting it was impossible to separate each variety

|
i
| BS)
Sj
N
aS
SS
iN
Le
La)
ors
=)
Joie
ia §
os
Um OD
oO os
~ 2 2
Sy Ge} =
Sos
Se
N D
LS
fs
195 a
lay Le}
ace (=)
dS os
By Val fe)
Py wn
iS) ion)
) ~
eS fe)
2 Ay
ee en
Sj SI
as z
OS o
Ss rh
sS ort
~ fav)
x
E ro)
Be 7 4/58
2 gs 2
» Bp a
gS &
A, 2S
Ss =
aus
—
ee
Se
QD
SZ
Ss
A
for)
ron)
a=)
©
Ay
y.

from such an admixture, and therefore the figures are the weights for
the green material growing upon each narrow row, and, in the case of
the above named grasses, the quality of the crop secured from the
nitrate of soda, plot 27, and the limed plots, 25 and 29, was much

superior to that from plot 23.

AS A FERTILIZER. 47

By comparing the figures in the case of the unlimed plots, we find
that e7eA¢ of the varieties produced a heavier yield from wztrate of soda,
plot 27, and four from sulfate of ammonia, plot 23. Of the varieties
of Agrostis—red top and Rhode Island bent—two of the four produced
their heaviest crop upon plot 23. Their thrifty growth upon this
plot, as compared with that of Kentucky blue grass, orchard grass and
timothy, showed plainly that they were able to grow upon soils where
the conditions were such as to preclude the profitable growth of the
last-named grasses.

Turning to the limed plots we find that here also nitrate of soda
gave the greatest total yield in 8 out of the 12 varieties, and in the other 4
instances the difference in favor of the sulfate of ammonia was slight.

In this three year trial with 12 varieties of grasses, trate of soda was

SWEET VERNAL-GRASS.

Plot 23. Unlimed. Plot 25. Lzmed. Plot 27. Unlzmed. Plot 29. Lzmed.
Sulfate of Ammonia. Nitrate of Soda.
All manured alike with potash and phosphoric acid.

found to be of superior value, not only in power of production, but in promot-
ing the growth of certain of our most commonly cultivated and most valuable

grasses, as timothy, orchard grass and Kentucky blue grass.

NURSERY STOCK.

A limited variety of fruit and shade trees was set on a portion of
these plots in the spring of 1896. The stock was selected for the pur-
pose, the trees of each kind as nearly uniform in size and apparent
vigor as possible. Any slight differences were equalized, when pos-
sible, in dividing up the stock for setting across the four plots. A like
number of trees of each kind was set on each plot, and they were
pruned ina uniform manner. In 1869 the diameter of each tree was

taken with calipers at the beginning and end of the season, and the

48 _ NITRATE OF SODA

difference in the measurements showed the growth. The figures given
in the table in each case are the average for all the trees of each kind
on each plot. The diameters are given in centimeters. The Jength of
new growth was carefully measured, and the average for all the trees
of each kind was found for each plot, and is given in inches in the
tables. In 1897 it was impracticable to measure the length of new
shoots, and the increase in diameter only is given.

A glance at the table will show the superior effect of nitrate of soda
as compared with sulfate of ammonia, in its influence upon the growth

of nursery stock. Many years ago Ruffin, in writing of Virginia soils,

SUNFLOWER.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27 Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

and of their improvement through the use of marls, we think called
attention to the fact that white birches and yellow pines, when consti-
tuting the natural growth upon land, indicate a lack of lime in the
soil, 7. ¢., they naturally thrive upon acid soils. We are therefore not
surprised to find that the white birch made its best growth in 1896,
upon the sulfate of ammonia, although the next year the largest aver-
age gain in diameter was made upon the wtrate of soda, plot 27, as

compared with the sulfate of ammonia, plot 23. In average growth of

A FERTILIZER.

AS
new wood, in all but 2 instances in the case of the g kinds of trees, the

greater growth was made upon the nitrate of soda, plot 27, as compared

66 Fld

|
|
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|
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ae)
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of61 Siw) sits ee

688s

| TL 80L
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MIN HO 1S

IajowvVrp .. ¢

Spates ‘4, pesoidwy sheyq

9681

(Aouad quelIng yond oy A,
Lo t ea eae adver proou0)
ee pee adurt) sree oq
oe “A oo ae aiddy urmpreq
ae severe addy joahs uspjoy
ma ‘** yotog plojmerg Apeq
a Cae es: Ge iedg pepe
a Py ces sound) a8uvIO
ihre vend --ordeyy ae8ng
aaa DECah Cs Ch uopury uvowewy
oe Br cody a S wgT UvoLIoWYy
mee ‘"YIIg oY UvoeUly
"IW3K | ‘MOOLG AYASYAN AO SANT

with plot 23.

Flaten

The latter included

tof 17 instances, and the greater average
every average measurement in the case of the grapes and currants.

tof 15 measurements.

29, tn TA ou
in IT ou

f new wood

nitrate of sota, plot
gruwth o

The weights are in grams as follows.

Before closing with the experiment we wish to notice the yield of

small fruits in 1897.

50 NITRATE OF SODA
UNLIMED. LIMED.
SMALL Fruits, |

1897 Plot 23. | Plot 27. || Plot 25. | Plot 29.
. Sulfateof| Nitrate | Sulfateof| Nitrate
Amm’nia| of Soda. || Amm’nia)| of Soda.
Grams. | Grams. |) Grams. | Grams.
Swmehidoesmtese MWeiehy IWS. 445 d5e5 sucess 62.4 242.2 264.9 203.7
ae lawetland anes se see ne 58.3 237.6 370.2 351.1
te Chas. Dewan y.4-h see 15.2 351.0 312.3 519.3
Currants: hayiseeroliticye seen en sae 9.0 28.5 31.5 890.6
“ White Dutchs.. .))is2n0.0<e5 253.7 304.5 || 281.0) | 252.6
Gooseberry: Smith’s Improved......... 88.0 1428.0 |) 1505.0 1614.0

This experiment has well demonstrated that upon soils which give

an acid reaction

and such are far more common than is generally
supposed—nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda, in connection with
phosphoric acid and potash, gives far more profitable returns than sulfate of
ammonia. This fact is attested by the largely increased growth of
nearly all of a hundred or more kinds and varieties of field and
garden crops, and a large majority of a dozen of the more common
grasses and representatives of orchard and fruit trees, grapes and

small fruits.

YELLOW CARrroT (DANVERS).

Plot Nos. 29. Limed. . Unlimed. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

27 20.

It has also shown that the application of air-slaked lime in con-
nection with trate of soda, potash and phosphoric acid will, upon acid
soils, generally render the fertilizers more effective and increase the
crops. The plants which are notable exceptions to this rule are the
lupines, serradella and watermelon, two varieties of Avgrostis—red top

and Rhode Island bent-—and the white birch.

AS A FERTILIZER. Sit

Liming is not particularly injurious to sorrel, as it will thrive upon
acid soils, with or without liming, if given an opportunity. The acid
condition of some soils forbids the growth of many cultivated plants
and grasses, and sorrel comes in naturally to cover the vacant spaces.
Liming and the use of #ttrate of soda tend to correct the acidity, and
the soil conditions are changed so that cultivated plants can grow, and
sorrel is crowded out.

One great advantage in the use of zztrate of soda commonly over-
looked is, without doubt, the fact that a basic residue is probably left
in the soil when the nitrogen is used by the plant, the tendency of
which is. doubtless, to modify soil acidity. On the other hand, the
residue from sulfate of ammonia is likely acid in character, and the
tendency, therefore, is to aggravate the condition of a soil already

acid.

AN EXPERIMENT WITH POTATOES. !

In 1896 and 1897 potatoes were grown upon plot 38 for the pur-
pose of testing various combinations of fertilizers, the experiment
being in charge of the Director. One of four questions involved was
the relative effect of dried blood and witrate of soda as sources of nitro-
gen for the potato crop. The plot was divided into sections for the
experiment, and numbers 1, 3 and 4 were used in this particular in-
quiry. Like quantities of muriate of potash and dissolved phosphate
rock were applied to each section, and equal amounts of nitrogen, in
its respective forms, to the several sections. Section 1 received half
its nitrogen in the form of dried blood and half in atrate of soda. The
following table gives the yields for two years, calculated to bushels

DEmACKE::

1 Yenth Annual Report, R. I. Expt. Station.

SODA

NITRATE OF

i) )

WwW

‘aTQVJUBYOIOUWIU PF)

‘O[qvyuvyo1owUg

“QUIT JNOYJIM BPOS JO 93¥IJIN
‘SSHOLV LOd

OUT] YIM BPOS JO 93BI3IN
‘SUOLV.LOG .

‘O[qVJUVYIO

“OQVIURYOII IW

AS A FERTILIZER. 53

POTATO EXPERIMENT, 1896 anv 1897.

No | YIELDS OF TUBERS IN
aes Bin BusHELS PER ACRE.
Ss SouRCE OF NITROGEN. j rare | 20a a
me TION acral a
tion .
: | Total. | Large. | Small.
= ee Wee po tt Sees WA
PIREG MOOG. Meg sesyeiele + 2 3 4 ) Sey : oe
1 ; 4) _+ | 1896 || 289.26 209.75 79.51
Nitrate of Soda.c......-2- +) | |
Wi redinBlood: veces... 02. +... oer eat é
1 : Bs - | 1897 || 246.90 120.96 125.94
| INGiatesof “SOdae <acnco.scs 4) a
Average, || 268.08 105 35 102 72
Sa lsDatedyBlood ht ach dale... 1 | 1896 |} 299.78 | 211.61 ; 88.17
3 o See ae 1 | 1897 || 260.80 | 127.46 | 133.3
|
4verage, | 280.29 | 169.53 | 110.75
&. He iirare Ge WoOG a eee. tous ad 1 1896 || 302.26 | 198.00 | 104.26
oa Seat ...{| 1. | 1897 || 284,31 | 148.80 | 185.51
Average, | 293-29 | 173-40 | 119.88
| ee |

Comparing the average yields for the two years, we find that sec-
tion 4, the full ration of nitrate of soda, has given the largest crop ; dried
blood, section 3, ranks second; and the half ration of each, section 3,
produced the least.

The average yield from the fud/ ration of nttrate of soda was 73
bushels in total crop—3.87 bushels of large potatoes and 9.13 bushels of
small ones more than the average produced by the full ration of dried
blood on section 3.

The average yield from the /wl/ ration of nitrate of soda was 25.27
bushels in total crop—8.o5 bushels of large potatoes and 17.16 bushels
of small ones, more than the average produced by the half ration each
of dried blood and wz¢rate of soda on section 1.

POT EXPERIMENTS:

The following is condensed from an article ! entitled, ‘‘ Observa-
tions regarding the relative assimilability of various forms of nitrogen
upon an acid soil, limed and unlimed,” and contains the results of an

experiment which was begun in 1893 and continued through 1897.

1’ Tenth Annual Report, R. I. Expt. Station, 1897, pages 241 to 253. By
Dr. H. J. Wheeler, B. L. Hartwell and G. E. Adams.

54 NITRATE OF SODA

This experiment was conducted in galvanized iron pots or cans,
18 inches in diameter and 26 inches deep, sunk in the soil of a yard
made for the purpose. Proper drainage was provided to guard
against water flowing into the pots from the outside. In each pot was
placed 154 pounds of subsoil and too pounds of surface soil taken
from plot oo of the co-operative experiment. The soil was a sandy
loam with yellow loam subsoil, and it had received no manure what-

ever for many years. Great care was taken to insure a uniform qual-

SPRING RYE.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

ity of soil in all the pots. Like quantities of dissolved bone-black,
muriate of potash, and nitrogen in the several forms have been annu-
ally added to each pot. Four pots were assigned to each form of
nitrogen, two of which were treated, the first year, with air-slaked
lime at the rate of 4 tons per acre, and the other two were unlimed.
No further application of lime has been made. The dried blood used
has been from the same lot, containing 12.45 per cent. of nitrogen.
“ Pennsylvania tankage,” containing 8.9 per cent. of nitrogen, was

used in 1893 and 1894, and since then, finely ground leather, containing

AS A FERTILIZER. 55

7.06 per cent. of nitrogen, has been substituted. Indian corn was
raised in 1893, but, owing to the individuality of the plants and the
small number which could be grown in each pot, the results were
unsatisfactory and the figures are omitted. In 1894 oats were grown.
When in the ‘ milk” they were cut, and dried at to0° C. The follow-

ing table gives the weight for each pot in grams:

OaTs.

Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 23. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.

All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

56 NITRATE OF SODA

POT EXPE RIMENT— lab ir |

N LIMeED. |UNLIMED.
O.
OATS, 1894. OF 7
| Por. | Grams | Grams
per pot. | per pot.
(aie20 ee ies
i] oF | C
Wil HOU MINGUT OP ET ieee eae Crete eee eR ee { ae Sabet Eee:
| 238) |) O0ro |
24 |) S602 a
6 | 39.4
INGLEP ATE OF SODM ae. tees oblate se sigs relay sine sions rela e | be aot eles
if 78.6
14 69.9 36
SEM eee fell
| ¢
SUL ALE OF AI TMONLA Gia ipa ae se warts Oe ests sh lol | e Ba | 14.0
960) s3u
[ 4 ua 8.9
J | 2
Dred Bp ae en Ts ge ie OP Ve ERE, JAVA" hetceier ie +9028
5 GIES ED sc05.
12 68.1 ae
fl 45.7
| Y
PACU SV UMAMLE NL ANAC tempi bys tise ne elo ee J 9 47.3
| 5) 73.1 |
C0 76.5

In the case of the wzlimed plots, nitrate of soda produced consider-
ably éetter results than any other form of nitrogen.

AS A FERTILIZER. 57

In 1895 spring rye was sown, harvested in the “milk,” and dried

at 100° C. The weight in grams per pot was as follows:

POT EXPERIMENT.—TABLE II.

|
Limep. |UNLIMED.
INOS) Lae
SPRING RYE, 1895. OF ¥ eee
Por. | Grams | Grams
per pot. | per pot.
20 4.2
os ye 1) 2% 3.
WEE OWE INTO EMiisoe dice e557 08 mn 2, 0 os ee 1 | 98 6%
| 24 44.6 Sais
( 6 Deal
| ate OA k
~ Nitrate of AS a) TR ret nc) OO EI ROLE EEID SO DIC ROO ICICI + a 6 eae
i 118.7
|| 14 93.6
18 0.6
Sulfate of Ammonia bi aes a iY
(Aa? ZL Ls ete ain Gioia Asean ee) oun ere) resyeieys mets) iera sie =
19 108.4
| | 26 WIT see?
4 1.0
ES EOS oe ee iS vee tet
5 117.6
Lean sO te
Gul 2 3.9
| | 8
Grail IGOAA ITF 8 600) 6 DUNS OD eNO C Oa OOO Cone j 9 Oe a
3] 64.9
{| 10 76.8

“ The superiority of nitrate of soda as a form of nitrogen for acta soils

ts again strikingly manifested.”

RESULTS WITH BARLEY IN 1896.

“For the reason that plants of the same kind, weighing exactly
alike, may contain unlike amounts of nitrogen, and since the actual
amount of nitrogen in plants is dependent, within certain limits, upon
the quantity of that element present in assimilable form within the
soil, the quantities of nitrogen removed from the soil by the crop have,
in most cases, been determined. By this means, much more reliable
information is furnished as to the relative assimilability of the several

forms of nitrogenous manures.”

58 NITRATE OF SODA

POT EXPERIMENT! —TABLE Hi:

| LIMeD. | UNLIMED.
|
|
' qd | i q
~ fo) One| fe) vo
6| @ |5o.| SSall F, | Be. | wes
; 2\ ee (Boo) fas | eo] eed leas
BARLEY, 1896. S Om Pao I] Gz el i a 4H ane = 0
Oil) cede [potent | celta) || ceo) |) Cxe eine,
aly fe) = 1g = SI Hor (owiany 52 Hot
D ef een Sor sil) oe | Seiciceo| Cxous,
roiaiza) BGS} | tH isi fe) ae O's | wn ao
oe | [Rs | See | sa | 9 ae | Sa
pe tS a ORS aa G _ O~ Bar's
o) ® 00 fia F oO D oO He S
Ay oe Ay Oe
(tale 2Ob ieee ee hee eet Qu6L, || = dion Otbe
5 pa | OF | < ye
Without Nitrogen.. { 2 pooo° ee rape tin |Weae Seren ols 8.18 ital i) 093
eal) DSA Ging lott ale OuerOie ll Weer oul Sein eee
L| 24 | 69.26] 1.00 | 0.693 fare EST | eee
f GP Peeeeres neil|, We. tars ual erieear ee 51.07 2.29 170
a3 Pale 13 ae: 51.12 2.438 | 1.242
Nitrate SOA Giese s sepa eae |
ttrate of Soda 7 1100.32 917 Saget he | | ee
(ie 08 HOO 207 eed 4a rN ns NY etn see:
HoT SMR D pce ehh eek acer alt ally sues aeaye 3 =
=e : | | 25 : ee 2.46 es 2
Sulfate of Ammonia | 19 102.48 2 00 2 050 ‘
| U F/ C ao. Palio IRIN S HU etietye, oslo | ii) eiieueiiel meetin Mieflelfeeute
| | 26 | Wiel espe mrlbs(eley) liable Co Me ee. | Bean]
Re: Ae cs Masten | 21.26 | 2.32 | 0.498
| al
al | 82.85 | 2.27 | 0.746
pie Por Lane }| HE] eee vere [sees | 32.8
peas caer fp) Be LISELI 8 12,040 | BER Woke (hee
| 12 | 120.52 G9 |) 2ONO Wh oeee- weds
2 sa ate pe teal orice (ft 320) -)"" l89e sy Orie
: Leh Seg iu suatsat Me eM ictes Ee ileal |) BeOe |) Ween
Ground Leather.... > 3 73901 1.23 | 0.909 |

| 10 79.14 Wee || OES Ns coe <
|

* Not determined, owing to small amount of substance.

In the limed series it will be seen that, so far as concerns the
weight of dry matter in the crop, dried blood proved superior to either
sulfate of ammonia or wtrate of soda, yet the plants receiving nitrate of
soda actually removed the larger amount of nitrogen from the soil. In this
instance the weight of the crop fails to indicate properly the relative
assimilability of the nitrogen of the dried blood and the wtrate of soda.

Dried blood in the unlimed series exceeded leather in yield and
amount of nitrogen removed. ‘“ Vitrate of soda as a source of nitrogen
on an acid soil has again shown tts marked superiority, the total product of
barley hay, and the amount of nitrogen removed being far greater in the case
of those pots than in any of the others.

Deducting the amount of nitrogen found in the crop from the

AS A FERTILIZER. 59
POT _EXPERIMENT.-TABLE IV;
—_ ik
LIMED. UNLIMED.
ae |g eS ! fs|
‘ > enor Ol. Ss ° Om.
Sloe ea EE, Ss ee ene
wee 2 H i SI ae ba qu | wu gqhd 3
BARLEY, 1897. (a oe ees CA Stee a 259
OY ah \hcseee ey Sine aml Waa) PH) Uva erate
2 a2 o> n eps) ey D >
Se Ooms OREO Sie ores | veo
aS | °ss| gax | as | °se| &s=
- ele esac a | ee ae SC
i 219 ave: oat eRe eee 4.69 1
A | 97 2 40 1 1
7 i oa ji | |) Sone a.
Without Nitrogen.. 1} 93 | 32.79 cal a> ii), batt ene
Ph: Beedle Or 09 | 1 CF pare
food ener Cpeaue 6.33 | 2.01 | 0.851
<: PV tc eee gicek Web. 98.24 | 2.02 | 0.570
Nitrate of Soda..... Vent 80.8% | 2.08) 16@PR Nie tea | os
AN EEN te teh MeAMON ee Ves ee carn
Geta ee ae|y Sater iS Ce 2 2 ;
eb. Sige Vaan Py! | eta 1.28 1 1
Ba rae AEE TeeI re iG )| OG. ILO | LAO Peter, «| Cente
ee i ee et Me te OP Se ee 0
GN aot eee C1 idee en a | 12.31 | 1.95 | 0.240
eh Seri a 3 8 3
; | Ja ay ee
Dried Blood........ Meso fee h iii GOrs| SOG) aera |. sce on.)
Ae Ma a a oa 2 a Rae.
Peer ierae soll Sabeeell bBo ee 8.06 | 1.67 || 0.135
| 9g | 9.74 1,60 0.156
a rye | te ea ae an ee
Ground Leather.... | eee lcci fs fPRGee OG SAGE: II. aa) eee
le} dah 40,96 12261) O56 C2 Pa Pe

1 Not determined, owing to small amount of substance.

2 This pot received caustic magnesia in 1896 and 189%, and results are re-

served for publication elsewhere.
3’ Waterlogged.

pots without nitrogen, from that in the pots when nitrogen was added,

and then letting 100 represent the average amount of nitrogen taken

from the soil by the plants in the w/trate of soda pots, we obtain the

following values for the nitrogen, which the plants were able to obtain

from the other forms of nitrogen employed.

LIMED.
Pots. Average.
INGEY GEE Of SOG arty ee he eke Didar edad oeiale eee 100.0
Sulfate of Ammonza........... LOM 20 oe teers 92.2
Dried BlOCd eee ae Ge cara hee 90.3

Ground Steamed Leather...... Dl Oi see 13.8

UNLIMED.
Pots. Average.
OO OTe ein sete 100.0
Age lily an see: 45.5
DEA OA ction. 0.9

60 NITRATE OF SODA

“These results bring out plainly the fact that upon an acid soil,
where nitrification progresses but slowly, much of the money invested
in the best forms of organic nitrogen, such as blood, meat and fish, is
practically wasted; and since these forms make up the major part of
the nitrogen of most of the commercial fertilizers sold in the state, the
importance of testing the soils for acidity, and of supplying lime

where needed, cannot be too strongly insisted upon.”

BaRLEY.
Plot Nos. 29. Limed. 27. Unlimed. 25. Limed. 238. Unlimed.
Nitrate of Soda. Sulfate of Ammonia.
All manured alike with Potash and Phosphoric Acid.

The superiority of nitrate of soda as a source of nitrogen over organic
forms could hardly be more clearly demonstrated. On a well-limed
soil it is shown to furnish nearly 8 per cent. more available nitrogen than
sulfate of ammonia, and about 70 per cent. more than good dried blood.
In the case of an acid unlimed soil, it is practically zoo per cent. more
profitable to use than sulfate of ammonia or steamed leather, and fur-

nishes 54.5 per cent. more available nitrogen than dried blood.

AS A HERTECIZER: 61

SUGGESTIONS, REGARDING THE USE.OF
RULRAIE “OF SODA AND EINE:

N ITRATE OF SODA is valuable as a fertilizer upon any soil in
field, garden or greenhouse, in which additional nitrogen is
required for maximum plant growth, and when, for any reason, a soil
is acid, it becomes probably the most efficient form of nitrogenous
material to apply. This is, doubtless, because of the fact that what
remains in the soil after the nitrogen is used by plant growth seems,
in a measure, to neutralize the soil acidity and thereby give better
conditions for the thrifty growth of most agricultural plants. Soils

“catch” when sown,

upon which clover and timothy fail to make a
and where red-top (Agrostis vulgaris) quickly takes the place of tim-
othy, and forms the bulk of the hay crop; soils where the cultivated
grasses soon die out and give place to wild grasses, rushes and sorrel ;
soils where wheat and barley fail to thrive, and soils where beets, spin-
ach and lettuce fail altogether, or make but a feeble growth, are most
probably acid, and should be promptly tested for acidity. If a soil is
acid—when tested, changing a blue litmus paper to a reddish color
sometimes approaching a brick-red—it is economy to use some other
agent in addition to wtrate of soda for correcting the acid condition.
The most convenient and, generally, cheaper materials for this
purpose are air-slaked lime and wood ashes, both leached and un-
leached. The fact that applications of wood ashes often show a
marked effect for many years is, doubtless, due to the influence of the
thirty or more per cent. of carbonate of lime which they contain,
along with other carbonates, all of which neutralize acidity and help
to promote nitrification in acid soils deficient in lime. One ton per
acre of air-slaked lime is capable of producing surprising results when
used with other fertilizers upon acid soils, and the application of lime

has to be made but once in several years. \n connection with the ‘‘ Phos-

62 NITRATE OF SODA

phate experiment”’’ at the Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment
Station,! upon a sandy loam soil, so acid and infertile that without
lime or fertilizers Indian corn will, not grow more than from four fo
six inches high, one ton of air-slaked lime per acre, applied in 1894, and
annual applications of nitrate of soda and muriate of potash, with
suitable quantities of phosphoric acid in different forms, but xo further
application of lime, has produced an increase in the total hay crop of
1896-97 and the first crop of 1898, of 8889 pounds of hay, as compared
with the total yield from the unlimed plots. This gain of practically
four anda half tons of hay per acre in three years is the direct result
of the application of one ton of air-slaked lime in 1894. In addition
to increase in quantity, the gwa/ity of the hay from the limed plots has

been superior to that from those unlimed.

SEEDING TO GRASS.

This is probably the best time in the rotation to apply lime or
ashes. If the latter are used, about roo bushels, or two tons per acre,
should be applied ; spread them evenly, and work them well into the
soil. If lime is used, one to two tons per acre is generally sufficient.
Too much lime may be as injurious as too little. If purchased as a
waste product already slaked, spread evenly upon the field, and work
into the soil by thorough harrowing. If purchased in the caustic, or
freshly-burned state, haul to the field and place in heaps of about one
half barrel each at proper distances over the field. With a watering-
pot spray about one and a quarter pails of water upon each heap, and
cover with a few shovel-fulls of moist earth. In one or two days the
heaps will have slaked to a fine dry powder, which can best be spread
from a scoop-shovel. Select, if possible, a time when there is no wind
to interfere with the spreading, but it is desirable to spread it and
harrow it in before any heavy rain falls. If any lumps remain
unslaked, and the field is to be immediately seeded, they should be
gathered up and removed, as, otherwise, they would be slaked by the
first fall of rain, and, thereby, kill all the seed in the vicinity of each
lump, though it be no larger than a hickory-nut. If the lime can be
spread, harrowed in, and the seeding postponed until after a good rain
has fallen, all small lumps will then have become slaked, and the

lime more thoroughly incorporated with the soil by the additional

1! See Annual Reports for 1896 and 1897.

AS A FERTILIZER. 63

cultivation. Caustic lime increases in weight about 27.5 per cent. by
dry-slaking with a small quantity of water. When eight barrels of
caustic lime, 250 pounds net each, are used per acre, the dressing is
equivalent to one and a quarter tons of air-slaked lime.

If phosphoric acid in some insoluble form, as fine ground bone,
slag meal, or floats is used in the fertilizer, it is doubtless best to make
a liberal application at time of seeding, and to confine the subsequent
top-dressing mainly to applications of potash and nitrate of soda; but
if soluble phosphates are used, as dissolved bone-black, dissolved bone,
or dissolved phosphate rock, a lighter application should be made at
seeding-time, especially if done in the autumn, and then phosphoric
acid should be regularly included in the spring top-dressing. If seed-
ing is done in the early fall, and the soil has been tolerably well fertil-
ized for previous crops, so as to be in good condition, either of the
following formulas may be used :

FALL SEEDING No. 1.

Nitrate: ot Sodas... sye- e2% <> 50 to 100 pounds per acre.
Mianiat eof Potash. \oaitaisats = 50 to 100 . .
Pine cround Bone... /s7 5.0%< 400 to 600 =

Slag meal (Thomas slag) 600 to 800 pounds, or floats (raw phos-
phate rock finely ground) 800 to 1000 pounds may be used in place of
the fine ground bone with about equally good effect. Each spring,
following the seeding, just after the grass begins to start into growth,
the following top-dressing should be applied :

ERATE ORS OCA, 25.5 aiisisim wre aise ore s)i oe 130 pounds per acre.
Miumiate: OF POtasl .sci0 eeyspeee 2 one Too e a

If the field is kept in grass more than three years, about 300
pounds of dissolved bone-black, or its equivalent in dissolved phos-
phate rock or dissolved bone, should be regularly added to the spring
top-dressing. The above formula can be equally well used for spring
seeding, although in the latter case the nitrate of soda and muriate of
potash should be increased by the amount used in the spring top-
dressing.

If soluble phosphates are used, and the seeding is done in the
early fall, the following formula will do good service :

Fatt SEepiInG No. 2.

Nitrate Of SOdai je. ccbe 12 hashes 50 to 100 pounds per acre.
Murtate of Potash... 22:3 50 to 100 ms as
Dissolved Bone-Black ....... 150 to 250 o

64 NITRATE OF SODA

From 200 to 300 pounds of dissolved phosphate rock may be sub-
stituted for the bone-black if found to cost less. If the above formula
is used, the following top-dressing should be applied each spring when

the growth of grass begins :

NitrateorSsodat. Sia hs oacse eee 120 pounds per acre.
Mimriate oi Potash sy. a225). ciclo 120 « Gt
Dissolved Bone-Biack or Phosphate

IOC eet she aa a eaten raisers shee 300 a

Formula No. 2 may be used for spring seeding by adding to it the

top-dressing intended for spring application.
WINTER WHEAT.

If the soil is acid, lime should be applied as for seeding to grass,
and
Pine Ground Boomer. c.6 sees 300 to 400 pounds per acre,
or Dissolved Phosphate Rock ..200 to 300 Py x
used at time of seeding. In the spring, top-dress with 120 pounds of
nitrate of soda peracre. If the soil is known to be deficient in potash,

120 pounds of muriate of potash should be applied at time of sowing.

WINTER RYE.

The same fertilizer may be used for rye as for wheat, except
that rye is less dependent upon the lime than is wheat. Rye can with-
stand the unfavorable conditions of an acid soil fairly well, and will
generally produce a crop, especially if top-dressed in early spring with

120 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre.

OATS:

The following formula has been used for the oat crop, in connec-

tion with the “rotations,” at the Rhode Island Experiment Station:

Nitrate: oft Sodaxweten1 see eee 200 pounds per acre.
Dissolved ‘Phosphate Rock 245 44). 176 RS a
Hine*Ground: Bonewer eae saan = 180 ot e
Mimiate oro tashy ht. sapere st es 120 % i

The above should give a good crop upon soil of moderate quality.
BARLEY AND BEETS.

The following formula has been used upon acid soils, in connec-
tion with work performed by the Rhode Island Experiment Station in

AS A FERTILIZER. 65

different parts of the State. In each case the soil received, in addition,

a dressing of two and a half tons of air-slaked lime per acre

ING Ee OG SOGa ee Ae. alias qal os sco 300 pounds per acre.
Miuriateroterotasin 2's gs..¢ .<ios + 300 = ae
Dissolvedtiiome-Black ie rsh 2 iiia e. goo .

The equivalent of the bone-black in dissolved phosphate rock

might frequently be more economical.

MANGELS AFTER CLOVER.

This land was limed at the rate of two anda half tons per acre,
previous to seeding to clover. Lime should a/ways be used upon acid

soils before attempting to grow beets of any variety.

INitrake el sOday qac.ctete sc 2a ae 360 pounds per acre.

Dissolved Phosphate Rock......... 840 ss e

Miikiraterot Potash vy ...ct.<2.ccwclvies « 300 . fk
PHAS:

The following formula has produced good crops of peas in one of

the rotations at the Rhode Island Experiment Station :

Nitraie@iorhSoday eM Cs tee erst D8 120 pounds per acre.
Dissolved, Phosphate’ Rock .2°.).... 397 ip
Miimidteveiek Obasm). 0%. 20 o 2 a2). He eS ‘ ;

GARDEN CROPS AND. VINES.

INiittate Of TSOda Aa ie libs 3. 5 ...450 pounds per acre.
HinewGroutia: HOME x. sca. sds oad: 500 ve s
Dissolved Phosphate Rock <..::... 500 if F
Niiieabe Gin tas en oa. oes eet < 300 ok .

When successive crops are grown upon the same land in one sea-
son, additional applications of fertilizer will be required. Top-dress-
ing all crops valued for the leaf growth, as cabbage, celery, lettuce,

etc., with zitrate of soda will greatly increase the growth.

ZURNIPS.
INGEMAe Oto OU ala a. lhe. Sys .hers maori oe 120 pounds per acre.
Dissolved Phosphate Rock..... ee a < rs
Kine Ground: Bone % ...4.. el ee 40 ‘s

Miuuntateson otashi. os....0 dole oe 150 i nf

66 NITRATE OF SODA

ASPARAGUS.

This plant fails, or produces but a feeble growth, upon an acid
soil without lime. Two tons, or more, per acre of air-slaked lime can

be safely applied if a soil shows much acidity.

INNCRAL EHO SOG a ain tances See ee 450 pounds per acre.
Dissolved Phosphate Rock......... 500 a =
Pine Ground (Bonen4.) .21: Je. poe 400 ps es
Miiriaterot P otasltth.a..ceck & ames .ene 300 Fs: a

If the soil is deficient in potash, the quantity used in the formula
should be considerably increased. One half of this fertilizer may be
applied and worked into the soil inthe early spring, and the remain-
der, just before cutting ceases, and the permanent summer growth
begins. A vigorous growth of top through the summer and fall is
desirable, as the roots are then prepared to send up an abundant crop

of shoots the following spring.

DN DLAINT CORN. INo® a:

INIGIate Ol SOUai. seocee os horace ek: 225 pounds per acre.
Dissolved Phosphate Rock ........ 420 x
PinesG round: Bones . 0... ho oate ese 150 .
WMiniigterOnIZOtAsh., .pschacs se «ao eecen 120 rk ea

INDIAN CORN: Noma:

MUIVat CCOns OLAS ey ce x5 Poy. che oe 180 pounds per acre.
Dissolved Phospuate Rock. 9... ..2. 550 - a
INGEncre Ol -SOGeee geese. <a 2 tuck 250 < i

Has sPOLALOrS.

The fertilizer used in growing potatoes upon plot 38, in a fertil-
izer experiment with potatoes at the Rhode Island Experiment Sta-

tion, was composed of the following :

INTGratevaliSodas eno nay .a8 ype ae 344 pounds per acre.
Dissolved: Phosphate Rock... 45 875 a S
Maunatesof, Potash: oy sed aha ose 215 H cs

On many soils, high grade sulfate of potash in place of the muri-
ate would probably give an equally good crop, and the quality of the
tubers might be better. Lime should not be used with, or just preceding,
the potato crop, for, although it has a tendency to slightly increase

AS A FERTILIZER. 67

the crop, and especially the proportion of marketable tubers, the neu-

tral or alkaline condition of the soil, which it creates, is highly favor-
able to the development of the “‘scab” fungus, and a “‘scabby” crop
is likely to follow its use. If the ‘‘scab” germ is wot present in the sotl,
and the seed tubers are so ¢horoughly disinfected that it is not tntroduced
upon them, then potatoes may be safely grown upon freshly-limed
land.

The formulas given above are not intended as “hard and fast
rules” under all circumstances, but as suggestions which the prudent
cultivator may safely adapt to his individual circumstances.

Nitrate of soda usually furnishes from 15 to 16 per cent. of nitro-
gen, 7. ¢., 15 to 16 pounds in every 100 pounds of material. Muriate
of potash yields about 50 per cent. of actual potash. The phosphatic
materiais are much more variable in composition, but dissolved bone-
black contains, generally, from 15 to 16 percent. of available phos-
phoric acid; dissolved phosphate rock about 13 per cent., although
different lots may vary from 11 to 17 per cent., of available phosphoric
acid. Fine ground bone has about 2 per cent. of nitrogen and some
20 to 27 percent. of total phosphoric acid ; slag meal, about 18 per
cent. of total phosphoric acid, and floats, about 26 percent. In pre-
paring the foregoing formulas, the relative cost and efficiency of the
phosphatic materials, as well as the actual content of phosphoric acid,

has been considered.

For full information in regard to Nitrate of
Soda as a Fertilizer apply to address below. All

publications furnished free.

PROPAGANDA FOR NITRATE OF SODA,

12 JOHN SotTREET,
NEW YORK CITY.

PAGE
COnn pias iiatarisOn viable. cya ato helt rrctsls caf) to store c ok Sietagthay stain stale See sah ete delete 56. (87)
Costrot vBenillizers, (Fable SHOWIN ®). 2 fa ))..0 <is4esicrsla sce zis sero loiels aap ae oicre wate So ake 9
Costiomsbenuilliz erp eimacne ns sevcjra sitters cece tieie caster sicvay-o PiaraiGreree ram eer nncvarsnel er 6, 7
COStuOe Teno Mem PEL AChE? Mia. 3. tag, tye ioistsibehelepaels ea sb chaise htege Seles ae Rie EM 7
Cost ol Sulphate of Amminonia: per acre, «Ct cwe.daacs anette’ seis oa enciswets oe 7
Coston We dma OOUM Per, AChE n., 3.12 a averessiieuiaic ls hab ecsoaaeON Se emer emrne 7
BEPC ila est Ewe Atattt ta WN a i re aR ora 5 MUR. ahesats SAL ETc inge ie, wiee Rewere Sieh al ast ore ea ese 9
BR Pe rIMENe AD MOetS oIUE Ya, r ae fo sn. cme else eer vie eae oe oes as aera 13
Experimenn Lope: Valley: (Corn nciaioe cs sga ven eonoes as esate one ACT ec 16
Repeninent simmary, : Kinestor (COM) ics, ciel coe. cleas oat a weee ee ene 12
HM Rperimienise VWVieSteriyn ie. I (COP s 55) n ac an Calta = drial ace Uae ce See eee
Ep ehiMMenies MWS DAD LEY: 4.5 mors oi dejetew alea’ oly aphapavoie be cam erehthe aereevere| ea. * nee 57
Experiments, Noose Neck (Corn)........... MEMEO HO DOES een ee BitoNd oe 24
HW xpeniin enon kamaston y (COL) 5 <0 -iorsaie scree cle eriastn sackets sresueroetno aie ae ree 9
Experiments. |ammaestowal (COM). 9 1.0. tis were) atetels sae ein arch chanere, sisloiei sl 3-15 eee 27
Pxpenimentsewite VarTlety: Crops. te sioierescccvesei le cnsnisievousesloloversue.slelsss.41 tT thereon aE 31
Experiments pwitilalCraSSs «2's clau ls s.% = Gsieqera aioe aiarc ave ela wile esate) oye wet neler 43
HM Speriimentse walls Ninety 1 LOCK. Jeo ne/klae> 5 si-ic eeu <3 21.4) ore nrie nena creenre ences 47
EB xperinients mwitlWle OPAtOSS: « sayactrre ceive cise isles We leis'e: cites ore) have hemerereeaes Gin, 5s}
TE SKG La Bier I A hy OP oO ee eer MRC NSE PRIN Siam bec 8 Oro 9
[EKO verAaTOUE), VASTORIMNSEES Joa ad Oc CSAS CORO AO SOS umd COG o Onn cbomon Bee coon.ce ar 66
[somal Beidlesy uaKel NEES cad comb p EL Hoe Cove O ee dbEuo coboden aonb OS tions os 64
Honnnlastorsb xperim emia Plats ores. olen lelerelaierere lien ierlaicvaio louse) seekedegsy op-ed ONS
HonrmitlacronaGrascs alll Seedinewr smc amc eo. vers acisistelee orelortels eres: Veta 63
BenmimkirtioreGanden Gropsrand, WINES. oc.c.c0¢ oisvele ness 915 ois 2 Geral aye Re ee 2105
letoraoniellyy sosn. Iboveiehold Clevcinls we prae aici GG SHO a omiRo et ier pete Dio cs miarioice ad. o.0.0 66
Grito olin Ship POLATOES: a5 « serra: s uch sr sreisirers sionsvai= 1a cas olay) clei sieuetercc rab atom vay 66
HormiuasionsMangelswatter Cloveria. (2 acceler alm ecicr-ttare nels cvalsi-taehettbethelensters 65
ROM MRO IgM OAC ews trices iy ose costae letsyate ve hie) euslenetegvel eta els ethic, aayscs andra el soteese eae 64
[ttevernayoulets igorey | CLs Seay Sent ORR nn Ph ete aR ee a Ont eR ER iy ur te ce arly 65
LO ret ll oaths OM WATeMA TOS ues span a aes cehev citi s @:~ sueve.tersud iislspotereie.aiess ays arse (eMac tera chore alelateiers 65
Povrimaiailla, Tore \NWaLHEIP RSS os ecb eo po gUU boon soc aCaDEa oO oO Rabo Congo erooonesr 64
Eeorsamplley arouse \Wrabokwesc Wyola open a ane encrse” Ona MRE CHER ic tnts inicicio Gane eka ciate oimececeta 64
Ral OMe Ni tcAbem Ors SOCUAs = ns. 5 s5cferert erucls «1 alae sod g eretes sisi sts avokdteiera ate (Oy Gy ts)
HM pkeaioiie SUL PMALEROE PA MAMLOMIAS |. te,aceve.d, ce) ofayal syaeren acct etaleholalelate . dele o.wielelehe gee 7,8
ool IRs] Draierol, Tei koyeyc lie Bey ee eens irae SORE DAOC Maen RIE Ot Cee lei eee 7,8
igpem Valicws se pe rimMenin( Gon} aq. tom aninelsles tie cies aise a's leva rein letelsiatsloye eaeieiare as 16
Mixedm Mineral sa Composigomy Ole ss irs crema sa eynicnsteieiel ante cites elavele) shots Sietsiale 6
IME rol Ni haves (COS, Ose Seo 0 Steen Ole ae UrC eC OI OR e CIOS SIE Rone aca 6
Notessands Conclusions Experiments station) Hari). eea sie c se el cl cela ae- Il

NotessandsConclucions slopem\jallleyanem ues ee cree aie eciecscse eect icc ss re 18

INotesy ands Conclusions a Westerhya (Cor) tes ..sscie a eee ee noe ean 22
Plans. -of EE xperimileniter eva oa,.jevs antes eRe «aa: een ae ee eee ier eee 5
Purpose jo Dx periniteits ¥ 5.08 foes ealetene oo che < tke Seas re Ne © Geet loa nee eeeie nt ee ees 5
Pot Exp@riiientsy sai sieten vas 6,0 fhaiaieiave ls ancte Ges asters svete a) sie. ¢ se ae Seeel e DENSIORS Oete e a 53
Ration pert ACret ies. oilas cal latsnts ene acicbese viel ois ad Me 3 cealah selanheae ogi cee ea 6
Silmmary Kingston ie xperiment, (Cor). 2.95. deme +o. ae sen tee See 12
Summary, of photale Vields*1n -Rour Weanse(Cor)s 3652s en one eee ie meee 21
Syonnakoavannie (GOsring Novos Wetbholy os 8 Ao ood ose dobecangoochuces Be codddtoooseads Ts
SeedinemtoqGurass yy... 5s Awtischstwls oc ciate hen e eye Res ciate secre eee as er en 62
Suggestions Regarding Use of Nitrate of Soda and Lime.................. 61
Sibmmaaing, Wesierhy lpgosshiniesnts, (Comm) oonsaan oogeno nocdsdcancedoedboc 24
AOE Sino base JNoswiliss Isles Wailers (Corte), scogeadenoscusdcoudsdedacucce 17
ALA NE Siovorwatatse Viol Gre (Coral Cin Syeaiiion Wein 524 ssoocenocudasancuobersee- 10

List Or +‘CuresS:

PAGE
FAN b 2-1 pene cn de ee eens CR Cn © Caen aaa Maw) Meena ENS eye oir oat ts Si 40
RAMI SVE f 8a s/f R rats isk tee ave erongitiohe® ore eaeah sees cua Ph avenera ieieere ators levels AC Mee ee a 60
133) bKe yp IF) ch oyu nXSUbay Rentaee gn eae Ae EARN t 5 Air eer emery Md SENS Oca 5 cdiG:5.3 46
Car DPDAS Cys ce: Senses cweica ctranetovle: oes ees olGJA yar yavens sons Sa lelSiecieg Syaie wattays ane ere eee epee aa 33
Garaal wpe ei Aek pateps tebeus i feroney ane fatsue oie vey vo eas Shedeqeas consis volieus oj oheaste Chie ok PRS One eee 31
Ge ST ye ee asart pe teue oectarensucsabsnaltave To. cs ellebs seis ster suarosaya cre ousyeleie layer Sus eisher Tey eden oy eee eto 37
Our RGA AN dee bape poesia rs clec grate ker Ghee oh once ee sate tlar sate Pe aciaus se SSP RECRRUSTOH OSE Ret oar 31
IB) ext la Tal aera seas ets ecsehs oo aoe cites eee oO Tate LIS eh A oi ca 39
THAT AY: (CA DAC ahane ope Sle weeks ape a tee lara) Baa opin cn & ee AINE +e REN or COS ale ee 42
LENE UW C1011 wA aes pa eee i ore ene ORE: On ET Oo eicite GOI Coos Gora baa bob ou II
Biel dCoria ¢MAIZ C) ns taacoxsushave-obsvasel ern eee AP sil dos MSDN eee ae ote ne oe 20
(Geerenmaitas Mallets: Pate nspewa seaxsisi cia aleve hs eit eae erase cho ane See a eA,
UScoyoll Cal eeevloy Meee Oe ny ct ve Na pete PS ee eer Ne OL RE rN ne eh IMR ea Gy 5 Al
UGS tet SS aK yen oe aey NTS eH o SuSs kes Sen MSL tad ena SUIS oat co Satoh) aE oe 35
Miao el Wii Ole sara he Wyant stecivad hc ceunititig teow er oie es eeiaro. Ske ke eaey neo oa 33
(OVA S ao eee RR eh is Ane nen ee Ny SOP Tan cs SEE MONAT EAE os ais Ae a eS 55
RGEALOSS Gaerne litvcn eM cnn oes ee eats, acer speis SLAC acotts Meee atde de SI SEAS | oiuamaes bn yee nee aa 52
SSP TAU Ora RSV Sop ru cesgevenche veyed Mev orc econ Be rexce st oheas ncaa the as SES RS OLED SER aye PS 54
SERGE LON (Cte ee eee eae eee eae ee a REE AA TORT ge mone ie RO 48
SOL OM Ret deer she Tae tiext tate Cree eae oe NOMIC Ie Costa ree eRe eee 37
USAR G OSES uavel se phy haatt venue shecace temas epsn ies dis, untis\iaetae) Geet & avoids eet enan gp aisnege ee oa eer ae eres 36
5 OsfeA ap SCAU cg dig eettos Mee eto chas og HYOHE oxeey ance cue areas Wein. nec oaort uel hore Rais «ARR eres eee 32
Siweete wera (Gmassis, «be eeate tepals shot cte iy ayes Ken ria eeec lee em are eee ee 47
Sweet orttan (VaiZe) ig. ke. /saen sever toh operetta co ier aie cet seein a eae eee cae eee 44
IRV olay Ve yey st uspaeas tate earn ate er Re Ret He net Rn Cee RUE ees er mea er ay AM Tage eel fe & 36
PUTTING. Bs wal naptime ce hss shet Seek cape yaniv Sted ge de BENS Se TA ca ayo 8. Spice ee Se eet ed eee 44
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