535 



hitter is to be preferred. Since eqniviilent ainonnts of potash in the three kinds are of 

 equal vahie to cotton, the choice of the farmer must be determined by their relative 

 cost. At present prices, especially when the matter of freight is considered, the pot- 

 ash of the muriate is the cheapest. 



(9) Phosphoric acid is of value to cotton in proportion to its solubility, hence the 

 several kinds of phosphatic manures can not be indifferently employed. Preference 

 must be given to acid phosphates containing considerable percentages of soluble 

 pliosphoric acid. Insoluble ithosphoric acid in slag, floats, or marl is of little direct 

 value to the crop upon which it is applied, and even granting that its effects in the 

 soil may be lasting, they are not, in the long run, sutticiently pronounced to n:eet the 

 interest on the capital invested in the application. Speculating in futures is not a 

 safe business. According to the best agricultural experience of our day, the better 

 plan is to use only such fertilizers as will meet the demands of the crop upon which 

 they are applied. 



(10) Inorganic, organic, and mixed nitrogen are of very nearly equal value to 

 cotton. The slight difference is in favor of the last two. 



Stable manure containing organic nitrogen is the best fertilizer of its class and 

 lasting or cumulative in its effects. 



The organic nitrogen of stable manure, to the amount of 50 per cent, can be fully 

 replaced by the inorganic nitrogen of nitrate of soda. 



Of the commercial forms of nitrogen among which the farmer has to choose, the 

 organic nitrogen of dried blood is perhaps the best, and at present prices the cheap- 

 est. As between cotton-seed meal and cotton seed there is a slight dirt'erence in 

 favor of the former. Whole cotton seed is as efficacious as ground cotton seed. 



Inorganic nitrogen in nitrate of soda is about as valuable to cotton as organic 

 nitrogen in cotton seed or cotton-seed meal. 



(11) Used alone or in combination with commercial fertilizers, the lime of marl is 

 of no direct value to cotton. Mixed with acid phosphate, it may even act injuriously 

 by retarding or preventing its solution in the soils. Applied upon leguminous 

 crops, such as cowpeas, vetch, etc., which are to be turned under as a preparation 

 for cotton, its indirect value is great. 



(12) Applications of copperas are without effect upon cotton. 



(13) Nitrate of soda should generally be applied along with the other fertilizers at 

 the time of planting. 



(14) Fertilizers may be indifferently drilled or sown broadcast where they are liber- 

 ally applied, but drilling is to be preferred where small amounts are employed. * * * 



These conclusions apply only to soils similar in character and condition to those 

 of the two farms, which, however, are representatives of two large classes. Our tests 

 covered a period of 3 years. A longer period might possibly have given different 

 results. 



Twelve different fornmlas for fertilizers for cotton are given, together 

 with statements of the composition of some of the more common fer- 

 tilizing materials, and of the equivalent amounts of ingredients fur- 

 nished by different materials. 



Modes of planting cotton (pj). 92-110). — Under this head are included 

 a comparison on both farms for 3 years of drilling and checking, 

 at different distances; trials of topping cotton; effects of continuous 

 cropping with cotton; effects of oats grown along with cotton; and 

 cowpeas as a fertilizer for cotton. Briefly considered, the results seem 

 to imply that " as far as our tests go one method of planting will give 

 about the same results as the other. Checking, however, saves hand 

 labor and gives the farmer more command over his crop. It is 



