



tloub cat-1'yihg out of every detail. The expeBimentS 

 should be under the personal direction of the farmer 

 bime-elf, and where any part of the labor must be done 

 by another, the most intelligent and reliable laborer 

 should be selected for that purpose. 



It is realized that but few farmers are likely to be in- 

 duced to undertake these experiments, and in ihe ab- 

 sence of other means of determining the specific needs 

 of the soil, most farmers must . ssume that all the con- 

 stituents are needed and must supply them in such 

 amount and in such form as the general considerations 

 of the soil, season and crop may seem to require. So 

 varied are these conditions that it would be impossible 

 to give specific instructions as to methods of fertilization. 

 A few general principles, however, as to the needs of 

 ?pfcial crops may be stated, which, it is hoped, will 

 serve a useful purpose. 



Cotton is a crop that responds promptly and profitably 

 to judicious fertilization, and experience teaches that 

 concentrated complete fertilizers should be used. The 

 profit from manuring with concentrated fertilizers is 

 greatly enhanced by properly preparing the soil in ad- 

 vance. It is profitable to bring the soil into a state of 

 good '"tilth" by proper cultivation, and particularly by 

 incorporating into it liberal quantities of organic matter. 

 This may be done by turning under leguminous crops 

 (like the cowpea) or barnyard manure before planting. 

 The complete fertilizer, applied in the drill, should con- 

 tain a liberal amount of "available phosphoric acid." 

 Any of the soluble salts of pota h are good, though 

 kainit is preferred, as it is believed to be useful in pre- 

 venting "blight." Of nitrogen compounds the organic 

 forms (cotton seed meal, dried blood, tankage, &c.,) are 

 deemed to be best suited for cotton, though nitrate of soda 



(89) 



