306 agriculture of maine. 



Conclusions. 



Crops can be successfully grown without potash under cer- 

 tain conditions. It is not believed, however, that New England 

 agriculture can be successfully maintained at its present high 

 rate without the purchase of plant food, including potash. 

 However, for the year 1916 under the emergency, it is believed 

 that agriculture may be successfully prosecuted if the following 

 conditions are observed : 



Select for the money crop only soils that are known to be 

 in good tilth and in good heart. Avoid, so far as possible, the 

 light sandy soils of the state. 



Pay special attention to plowing, harrowing and cultivating, 

 so as to "fine" the soil as much as possible. Tillage renders the 

 plant food of the soil much more available. 



Properly conserve all of the possible available plant food 

 from waste. This can te utilized by composting or by applying 

 directly to the soil. Composting makes unavailable sources 

 more available. 



Spread the farm manure over a greater area than ordinary, 

 and supplement by the purchase of commercial fertilizers 

 without potash. 



The following specific recommendations are given, not that 

 they are the best or that they may give high financial returns, 

 but with the 'belief that despite the lack of e.vperimental data, 

 follavving these recommendations will lead to satisfactory re- 

 sults. Be sure to insist that at least one-third of the nitrogen 

 in mixed goods be in the form of nitrate of soda. 



Top-dressing Grass Land, Winter Rye, Etc. 



Amnianiates. Nitrate of soda is without doubt the best 

 ammoniate for top-dressing mowing lands. The high cost the 

 present season may ma'ke it desirable to use some other form. 

 Sulphate of ammonia is a good top-dressing. Probably cyana- 

 mid used by itself would make a good top-dressing. Equal 

 weights of cyanamid and nitrate of soda would be useful for 

 this purpose. Cyanamid cannot, of course, be used with sul- 

 phate of ammonia. Any of these materials can be used at the 

 rate of 100 to 200 pounds per acre. 



