Jackson B. Hester 309 



(such as 4-12-8, 6-8-6, and 5-10-5 carrying 10 pounds of borax per ton of 

 fertilizer and used at the rate of 600 to 1000 pounds per acre depending 

 upon the analyses of the soil), the yields were increased from less than 

 1000 pounds to more than 2000 pounds per acre. 



These same conditions were encountered on the acid soils in Pennsyl- 

 vania. In fact, without proper methods of fertilization and liming, some 

 yields were as low as 150 pounds per acre. 



CARROTS 



The requirements for carrots are rather specific. It is very desirable 

 to have a deep orange color in preference to some of the lighter colors 

 of certain varieties. Large yields of high quality carrots are desirable 

 for commercial purposes. The large yields make it possible for the 

 grower to clear substantial funds from his planting, and the high quality 

 raises the commercial potential. Fortunately, it has been found that 

 with large yields high quality is usually obtained. 



The application of certain chemicals for the control of weeds has 

 greatly simplified the production of carrots. Carrots grow very slowly 

 during the early stages; in fact, it was found that only 4 per cent of the 

 plant nutrients ultimately absorbed by the plant was absorbed during 

 the first 70 days after planting, 27 per cent was absorbed during the 

 next 30 days, and 69 per cent during the remaining time. This, of 

 course, means that abundant plant nutrients must be available to the 

 plant during the latter stages of growth. 



The carrot has also been found to require relatively large amounts 

 of potassium. Consequently, the analyses of commercial fertilizer such 

 as 5-10-10 and 4-8-12 have proven most desirable. Sidedressing methods 

 have also proven very satisfactory. Where the yield exceeds 20 tons per 

 acre, application of fertilizer up to and including one ton per acre has 

 been necessary. It has been most desirable to have the land in a high 

 state of fertility before planting carrots, that is, limed the year before 

 and at the same time fertilized in part so as to increase the fertility of 

 the soil. 



When the use of chemicals to control weeds became so universally 

 accepted, many of the growers neglected to follow through with the 

 proper methods of cultivation. As a result, the soils became so compact 



