26 Tjie Bulletin. 



run across the rows two or three times before and after the corn 

 is np and before cultivation with cultivators begin. Cultivate with 

 good one or two-horse cultivators, which will not require more than 

 two furrows at the greatest to the row every ten days or two weeks, 

 and as nearly as possible after rains to keep down grass and weeds, 

 and to conserve the supply of moisture. The cultivation should be 

 comparatively deep early in the season, becoming shallow as the crop 

 gi'ows larger and its root system develops. It has been found de- 

 sirable to continue the cultivation in this way_ until the corn is iu 

 silk and tassel, making the cultivation very shallow at last *and going 

 away some distance from the corn. 



Varieties. — In the seven years' work on the Iredell Farm a very 

 large number of varieties of corn of practically all the types gen- 

 erally grown have been tested. Those giving the best results are 

 the ones belonging to the prolific or two or more ears to the stalk 

 kind. Among these, Weekley's Improved, Cocke's Prolific and 

 Biggs' Seven-Ear have done specially well. The results of variety 

 tests have been published each year in detail and the results are 

 summarized in the February (1909) Bue-letin. These results can 

 be had for study by any one specially interested in them. 



Fertilization. — Analysis of these soils show that they are very 

 low in phosphoric acid, high in potash and have a fair supply of 

 lime, the quantity of nitrogen depending on the amount of vegetable 

 or organic matter in the soil. Experiments show that phosphoric 

 acid is the most needed single constituent for the production of com 

 on these lands ; nitrogen coming next and being very essential, while 

 potash is of but little importance. It is likely not possible with 

 present results to say just what is the best proportion of these con- 

 stituents for most profitable returns, but it is certain that the fer- 

 tilizer should carry a high percentage of phosphoric acid and nitro- 

 gen, and a low percentage of potash. Indications are that a mixture 

 containing 10 per cent available phosphoric acid, 5 per cent nitrogen 

 and 1^ per cent potash will give close to if not the best returns. Six 

 per cent of nitrogen is not too much on lands which have been 

 grown continuously, or practically so, in cotton, corn and small 

 grain. Five per cent nitrogen is equal to 6.08 per cent ammonia. 

 This mixture can be used at the rate of 300 to 500 pounds per acre 

 with good returns and profits. Larger quantities can be used with 

 good results, but the profits, on basis of fertilizer used, will not be 

 proportionately so large. 



The nitrogen may be all derived from blood, tankage, cottonseed 

 meal or similar products, or in part from one or all of these and in 

 part from nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia. Nitrate of soda 

 may be used as the entire source of nitrogen when divided into two 

 parts and two applications are made. 



