FERTILIZERS FOR TIMOTHY 



Elmer O. Firnx, Ithaca, IST. Y. 



Professor of Soil Technology, Cornell University 



The fertilization of the soil for timothy follows no simple, fixed 

 rules any more than does the fertilization of any other crop. 

 In deciding on the need of the plant for applications of nutrients, 

 many factors must be taken into account, such as its composition, 

 habit of growth, root system, and physiological properties. In 

 addition, the soil has certain characteristics that vary in different 

 places. The fertilizer for timothy should be selected in view of the 

 requirements of the plant and also with clue consideration for the 

 properties and composition of the soil on which the crop is to be 

 grown. The fertilizer that gives best results in one place may not 

 give best results on a different soil or on the same soil that has 

 been differently treated. At the same time the characteristics of 

 the plant suggest the main line of treatment. 



CHAEACTERISTICS OF THE TIMOTHY PLANT 



Timothy hay is a nonlegume. As a forage plant, it is expected 

 to make a large, leafy, vegetative growth. Such a growth draws 

 heavily on nitrogen, and a generous supply, therefore, promotes 

 vegetative development and leads to the fonnation of loose, soft 

 tissues and large green weight. If other conditions are favorable, 

 there is a corresponding gain in total dry weight. In jSTew York, 

 the crop matures for hay about the first of July and makes an early 

 spring growth. This period is in advance of the largest develop- 

 ment of nitrates in the soil. In addition the further fact must be 

 considered that the plant is a grass and is therefore dependent 

 on available nitrogen compounds in the soil. These points would 

 indicate the relatively large importance of readily available nitro- 

 genous fertilizer. 



Phosphorus, potassium, lime, and sulphur cannot be overlooked, 

 however, because the plant makes a corresponding draft on those 

 constituents. Rather woody stems are formed toward maturity 



[o'Jl] 



