Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-17
TOP DRESSING OF NITRATE OF. SODA

dressing crops this year; probably due
TO the cold weather and the backward
condition OF corn and cotton on that ac-
count Probably more interest Is cen
tered in the use Of nitrate Of soda than
In any other material. and for this reason
the following short article concerning the
use OF nitrate has been prepared:
Nitrate Of soda may be used alone for
top dressing both farm and garden crops.
When used on farm crops IL is generally
applied at the rate Of 100 10 200 pounds
per acre. though il is seldom that an ap-
plication OF more than 100 TO $50 pounds
should be made TO such crops as corn
and cotton. When il is desired to use
larger amounts. it will be better TO make
two applications Nitrate of soda may
be broadcasted on top OF the ground by
hand or with a machine any time in the
spring Of the year after vegetation has
turned green and rapid growth has set
in Some have imagined that an applica-
ton of nitrate must be reserved until the
crop is nearly matured This is a mis-
take, for IL il is used several times on
vegetables rather than I'm one heavy APP
plfcation. better results are almost Ger
tain to follow. While nitrate of soda is
chiefly valuable as a carrier OF nitrogen.
the residual effect of the soda is often
seen in the perceptible sweetening of
lands which are sour. 1t can not be used,
however. as a substitute for lime, but
its helpful effect in this respect should
not altogether be ignored.
AS top dressing for grass. il may be
used with advantage. Probably the ap-
plication viii. as a rule, be limited to
about 100 pounds. and It is best applied
early in the season. and IL a second ap-
pIieation is used. shortly after the first
crop is cut II may be used on clovers
as well as grass with advantage, though
where the land is properly inoculated, IT
seldom pays 10 use nitrate. as cIovers,
belonging TO the family OF legumes, can,
as a rule. gather the nitrogen they need
from the air in cheaper form.
II is generally believed that nitrate of
soda VIII quickly leach out of the soil
owing TO the fact that it Is so readily
available TO the plant Most forms of
nitrogen used as commercial plant food
have to be fermented or transformed in
the soil. sometimes passing through one
or two intermediate stages, before they
can be utilized by the plant. The nitro
gen in nitrate OF soda. on the other hand,
is Immediately available to the crop.
Hence IL IL Is drilled into the corn there
Is some danger of its being leached away
before the plant can utilize it. This
would be especially true on sandy soil.
On clay soil there is not nearly so much
danger Of teaching as these lands are
OF more tenacious character OF
course, there is always a danger Of loss
BY erosion, and therefore IL Is best ap-
piled after a rain rather than before IL.
In an exceptionally dry season, nitrate
might be applied in front of the cuitfva-
tor and covered lightly into the soil so as
10 cause IL TO be more quickly dissemin-
ared In the water the land contains and
thus brought in condition where the
plant can utilize IT,
IL should not be forgotten that nitrate
or soda is a one-sidec food, whereas.
plants require a balanced ration AS
. rule, balanced ration is regarded as
mixture containing nitrogen, phos-
phoric acid and potash, as Eese are the
three elements which are most likely
TO be deficient in the land. The use OF
zoo pounds Il nitrate OF soda as top
dressing on cereals or other farm crops
IN one or two applications with out sun
plying any phosphoric acid or potash
would be a mistake. as there would be
a tendency 10 stimulate growth at the
expense OF fruit or grain, as the case
might be. Moreover, the nitrogen will
not give as good an account OF itself
as where there is plentiful supply OF
phosphoric acid and potash in the land,
since the crop can not utilize one els-
ment as a substitute for another, and
the balancing up or the ration means
ANSQEAuE vigorous. QlSE1Ec-rGSfGtnnr
crop covering the land.
In market gardening larger appiica-
lions OF nitrate of soda may be made
than on field crops. Probably so to
100 pounos is about the right amount
10 apply at one time. frequent applfcs-
lions. as rule, proving more profit
able While all vegetables require lib
eral supplies OF phosphoric acid AMI
potash, they can utilize a larger amount
OF nitrogen than ordinary farm crops,
because the vafne of vegetables de-
ponds on their paIatability, and nitrate
Of soda is one rtfe most stimulating
materials which can be used TO insure
a quick and rapid development OF the
plant. giving crispness, absence of
stringiness. high flavor and palatabiIity
20 the vegetables produced.
Sometimes nitrate OF soda is adulter-
ated. and those purchasing and using
Il should see that the tags guarantee
ing its qualities are shown on the sacks.
If there is any doubt I'm their mind on
this point. they should seek informa-
tion concerning n from the commits
sioner OF agriculture. who is empower
ed to examine the samples for the in
formation and protection or the pur-
chaser. In using nitrate as a top dress
ing in Georgia. IL viii be best not TO
apply it during a period OF excessive
rainfall. which sometimes occurs in the
late winter or early part OF the sum
mer. or course. as the seasons are
uncertain. one can not always apply the
nitrate under conditions which are re-
garded as ideal. but these suggestions
are offered as worthy GA consideration
BY all who are interested in using this
product Immediately or in the near ru-