The Bulletin. 27 



high a grade; but, as has been shown, a lower grade will do just as well. The 

 following formula will approximately secure the desired proportions, viz. : 



Formnia for Cotton. 



xVcid rhosphate (14 per cent) 1,W0 pounds 



Cotton-seed Meal : "JTl pounds 



Muriate of Potash 74 pounds 



Total 1,745 pounds 



The above would analyze about as follows : 



Available Phosphoric Acid 8.07 per cent. 



Nitrogen -'-^Q per cent. 



Potash - ^-69 per cent. 



This would be nearly the same as 9-2.70-2.70, and might easily be made identi- 

 cal by adding a few pounds more of acid phosphate. 



Of course, with a higher grade of acid phosphate (which is preferable) the 

 same formula may be secured; for instance, of a IG per cent acid phosphate 

 only 875 pounds would be required. 



HOW MUCH FEETILIZEE. 



It is a sound policy as a general rule to apply liberally. Cotton is a crop 

 that is peculiarly responsive to fertilizers. It occupies the land from planting 

 to the close of harvesting— during a period of from seven to nine months, 

 varying according to latitude and altitude, measuring the space between the 

 last killing frost of spring and the first freeze of winter. Its growing and ma- 

 turing period is from six to eight months long. Its fruiting period commences 

 with the first blooms, which appear about sixty days from planting the seeds, 

 and continues effectively until about September 1st— about ninety days. So 

 long a flowering and fruiting period makes it one of the most certain of crops, 

 and one well adapted to withstand or recover from the effects of casual and 

 temporary unfavorable conditions. For these reasons it is peculiarly adapted 

 and responsive to high fertilizing, and it is manifestly good policy, while 

 increasing the direct product of the soil itself by the best preparation and 

 tillage, to also greatly increase the amount of that portion of the product that 

 may be the effect of the fertilizers applied. It has been found, however, that 

 the per cent profit on the fertilizer gradually and regularly decreases as the 

 amount and cost of the application per acre increases. So, there is a limit 

 to the amount of fertilizers to be applied beyond which it is not expedient to 

 go, as a general rule. This limit may be stated as from 600 to 1,000 pounds 

 of'high-grade fertilizer per acre, or from 60 to 100 pounds of available phos- 

 phoric acid ; 18 to 30 pounds of nitrogen ; and 18 to 30 pounds of potash, the 

 whole costing from six to ten dollars per acre. Much more than the higher 

 amounts above given have been frequently applied with very satisfactory 

 results. 



MODE OF APPLICATION. 



Amounts less than 1,000 pounds per acre, of the materials recommended, may 

 be safely and are preferably, except possibly in very light sandy soils, applied 

 in one or two furrows immediately beneath the rows of cotton plants, taking 

 care that the fertilizer so applied shall be well mixed with the soil of the fur- 

 row or furrows into which it shall be deposited. Broadcast applications of 

 commercial fertilizers are generally much less effective and profitable, and 

 must be considered as wasteful, and therefore inexpedient. 



The land having been previously prepared by plowing flush furrows with a 

 wide shovel, should be laid from three to four feet apart, as the foundation of 

 the beds on which the seed are to be planted and the plants are to stand. The 

 fertilizer should be applied in these open furrows and well mixed with the 

 soil thereof by running once or twice in them with a coulter or long scooter. 

 Then "list" with two furrows of a turn plow. The fertilizers should be ap- 



