Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-21
NITRATE or SODA FOR LAWN AND

NITRATE or SODA FOR LAWN AND
ORCHARDS.
Nitrate Of soda may be used advan-
tsgeOusly on lawns. Information Is ire
ouentIy asked as TO how TO improve the
appearance and quality OF the grass. The
use OF any complete fertilizer which con-
tafns a liberal amount OF nitrogen will
prove beneficial. For quick results. how
ever, probably as good returns will fol-
low the use Of nitrate as any other ma
terfaI that can be used, since II Is a pow
srfuI plant tonic and energizer. It is
not more OF 4 stimulant than any other
form OF fertilizer which may be used. and
it's principal advantage lies in the fact
OF its quick availability. OF course, in
using il on lawns one should be gov
erned BY the relative cost OF nitrogen IN
nitrate of soda and in other forms In
which this material can be secured II
is important in using IL on lawns or IN
the field 10 distribute IL evenly. To this
end IL NAV be mixed with an equal bulk
OF rich woods earth or fine dust, or any
other material that viii serve Tor oilh-
ton. When thus mixed II can be more
uniformly distributed than where the
pure nitrate is applied. While several APP
plicatiOns Of nitrate might be made TO a
lawn during a season, an individual ap-
plication had best not exceed 100 pounds
II viii give excellent results on Bermuda
or any other OF the grasses which are
used for lawn purposes in the south, and
those who complain OF the difficulty OF
getting a stand OF grass on their lawns,
which adds so much to the beauty and
attractiveness Of their homes. will find
nitrate a great help.
Sometimes nitrate becomes hard as II
absorbs moisture from the air. When
this occurs il can readily be pulverized
with a malIet or shovel The idea that
Il is unft for use and has lost its virtue
when found in this condition is mis-
take OF course. II this results from ex-
pOsure to rain and teaching, IL Is true
that a part OF the nitrogen has prob
ably been lost, and hence IL is not so
valuable as when in its pure state. It Is
important 10 remember. therefore. that
nitrate should not be exposed TO water
or rain
The orchardist will often find nitrate
useful for his trees. On very rich lands
II should be used sparingly, as there Is
a tendency sometimes TO oyerproduction
OF leaves and branches at the expense Of
fruit. Discriminating the growth OF
trees sometimes causes the fruit buds To
orchard from bearing for several years.
Where nitrate is used on the orchard, IL
Is best applied at the rate Of about 300
pounds per acre. II should be put on
rather early in the spring. just about the
time the trees are budding. 1t helps 10
stimulate a vigorous growth which Is
most desirable at this season Of the year.
II invigorates the tree and enables it to
produce not only an abundance OF bios
hrrw 70 NJ a
fruit which II can properly mature. II
an orchard has failed TO make vigorous
growth OF leaf and stem and the color
OF the foliage is light yellow, the use OF
nitrate alone may sometimes be advisa-
Bile. but as a rule II had best be COM
bined with other fertilizers. since potash
and phosphates are needed in the ma
turity OF our fruit crops. and are thought
by some 20 influence the color and flavor
OF the fruit as we'll. As with other farm
crops. nitrate when applied on the orch
ard is best put on in a circle around the
tree at a distance Of IS inches TO two
feet II very soon works itself into the
SOIL except in dry climates or where ir-
rigation is necessary.
II will be seen from this review that
nitrate can be utilized with more or less
advantage on all the crops in the state.
The method and rate OF application will
depend on the locality. weather condi-
tons and the crop grown Details OF the
best method OF applying nitrogen to a
majority Of the crops have already been
given. For corn and cotton small
amount Of IL may be used in connec-
ton with a complete fertilizer at the time
OF planting the seed AS q rule. most OF
the nitrate had best be reserved and
used In one or two applications on these
crops The first may be made on cotton
along the latter part OF May or the early