The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1892-06-16
FERTILIZER FOR TOMATOES.

| Tests which Indicate That Nb4Ssts OF
Soda L. Valuable for This Purpose
Field experiments with nitrate of soda
on tomatoes in 1889 and 1890, made al
the New Jersey station, indicated tia,
this material, under proper conditions OF
use, was q valuable fertilizer for toms.
toes. The experiments in both years
were carried out upon the same farm,
the soil Of which was considered well
adapted to the crop, viz, deep sandy
loan in a good state of fertility. In the
consideration of results emphasis was in
both cases placed upon the necessity Of
q sufficiency Of the mineral elements,
phosphoric acid and potash, either in the
soil or applied, although in 1890 the di,
rect application Of these elements was
not found profitable.
In 1891 in order TO, il possible, more
clearly demonstrate this point, two ex-
periments were made, one on q sandy
loan in q good state of fertility and one
on land apparently deficient in all the
essential plant food elements, though in
general character adapted to the growth
of market garden produce. Early varie-
ties were used in both cases. Each ap
plication of nitrate of soda was distrib-
uted evenly over about one-half Of the
space occupied by the row.
On the sandy loan the yield of early
tomatoes was very decidedly increased
by the use of nitrate Of soda, both alone
and together with phosphoric acid and
potash. In the trial on the poor land
nitrate of soda alone was on the average
not profitable, merely paying for the
nitrate used. As summed up in the spe-
cial bulletin, the average results secured
under the varied conditions of soil and
season included in the three years OF
experiment seem, however. to warrant
the conclusion that under conditions
considered favorable for the growth of
tomatoes-that is good cultivation and
previous liberal fertilization-the appli.
cation of 100 pounds per acre of nitrate
of soda alone will be uniformly more
profitable for early tomatoes than com.
binations of minerals, barnyard manure
or a complete fertilizer.
wooI EXHIBIT ut the Worlds Fair.
The assistant secretary of agriculture.
Mr.. Willis, who is in charge of the ex-
hibit of that department at the Worlds
Columbian exposition, is taking meas
ures for a thoroughly classified represen-
tation there of the wool industry of the
United States. He has appointed CON-
mittee TO look after this matter, consist
ing of Edward A. Greene, of Philadel
phia, and Hon. John T. Rich, of Eliza,
Mich. II is intended to include in the
exhibit 100 samples of foreign woods
taken from the collection now being
made for the use of the customs service
by the same committee. OF domestic
woods about 1900 samples will be shown
of all breeds and crosses raised in the
country. The space available for this
exhibit will not permit of showing many
whole fieeces, which will be restricted to
q few taken from pedigree sheep. Gen
orally speaking, the samples will be put
in glass bottles holding about q pound.
and will be so arranged in the bottles as
TO show on the one side the staple and on
the other the skin side of the clip. In
this way both the farmer and the wool
buyer will see the wool as they are in the
habit of seeing it. An effort will be
made to relieve the monotony which
would arise from so many similar sam
pies, by some special decorative features,
such as pictures of sheep, etc. Mr.. VIII
hts desires 10 secure q fine Merino ram
to be stuffed and mounted On q pedestal
in the center of the exhibit. He would
like tenders Of such q ram, whose pedi-
gree can be traced to one or more noted
sires and that is now growing his third
fleece. The animal selected will be ex.
hibited with the name and address o.
the breeder attached, as in the case of all |
samples of wool where these are known.
Although the space available for the ex-
hibit is very small, it is hoped that by US
ing great care in the selection of the
samples it may prove of value to the
wool growers of the country.