10 



is excellent, especially in soils rich in organic matter. 

 The proper proportions of available phosphoric acid, 

 potash and nitrogen in a complete fertilizer for cotton 

 cannot be said to have been determined with accuracy. 

 As a result of numerous experiments at several of the 

 agricultural experiment stations, 600 to 700 lbs. per acre 

 of a fertilizer running 9% available phosphoric acid, 

 3% potash and 3% nitrogen is to be recommended. 



For cereals and grasses nitrogen has been considered 

 the dominant constituent. This arises from the fact that 

 a top dressing of nitrate of soda at the season when 

 there is a rapid development of stem and leaf, results 

 in a largely increased crop. This occurs, however, only 

 in soils which have a plentiful supply of the mineral con- 

 stituents, phosphoric acid and potash. It is recom- 

 mended, therefore, to use at the time of sowing a fertil- 

 izer containing a liberal amount of phosphoric acid and 

 potash with a limited supply of nitrogen, and shortly 

 before the maturity of the plant top dress with nitrate 

 of soda. 



The Legumes (clovers, peas, beans, vetches, &c.) are 

 crops that do not depend solely on the soil for their nitro- 

 gen, but which, under favorable conditions, have the 

 power of drawing at least a part of their nitrogen sup- 

 ply from the atmosphere. To this fact is due their su- 

 perior excellence as soil renovators, since iheir growth 

 upon a soil must result in its enrichment in the most 

 costly of the fertilizer constituents, nitrogen. In fertil- 

 izing legumes, then, provide a liberal supply of the min- 

 eral constituents and a minimum of nitrogen. They 

 seem to require potash in great abundance. Lime, also, 

 is needed to correct a tendency to acidity in the soil 

 which is hurtful to the growth of the bacteria so essen- 

 tial in order that the plant may acquire its nitrogen from 



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