CROP STIMULANTS

Evening Star, Issue 22817, 27 November 1937, Page 24

CROP STIMULANTS

Now that most vegetable crops are into rapid growth, and their roots are freely ramifying in the soil, they are able to absorb and utilise a considerable amount of moisture and food material, and their capacity for doing so will continue to increase in proportion to their growth. These crops must have a continuous and adequate supply of the necessary food elements if satisfactory progress is to be maintained and they are to reach ultimately their maximum development (says the ‘ Taranaki Herald ’). Ground which was liberally treated with farmyard manure in winter or spring requires less in the way of fertilisers, and where in addition the soil is rich through successive manurings they may be dispensed with. Otherwise, the use of reliable fertilisers is to ho recommended, and will be followed by good results. For present use two of the best fertilisers are sulphate of ammonia and superphosphate. Sulphate of ammonia provides nitrogen to the crops and promotes a rapid and strong growth; it should be applied between the rows of all green crops, root crops, etc., at the rate o'f 11b to 30 square yards. Superphosphate is beneficial to all green crops, and may be applied as indicated above, but at the rate of about 31b to 30 square yards. For root crops sulphate of potash should be made to take the place of superphosphate. If preferred, these fertilisers may safely bo mixed together and applied in one operation. The fertilisers should afterwards be well hoed into the surface soil.