FIELD CROPS. 1029 



nitrogenous fertilizers as compared with the use of mineral fertilizers. 

 The average' results in the expei-iments with cowjx'a fodder showed no 

 advantage in the use of nitrogenous fertilizers. 



In the test with soy beans grown for seed the inerease due to nitrogen 

 in the fertilizers was small. The authors infer that where mineral 

 fertilizers are abundantly availal)le, nitrogen has very little beneficial 

 etlect on either the total yield oi- the feeding value of t-owpeas and soy 

 beans. 



The results of the soil-test experiments indicated that tlie fertilizer 

 requirements d(^pend<Hl more upon the crop gi-own than upon the soil. 

 Corn and oats seem to re([uii'e phosphoric acid and nitrogen, and pota- 

 toes potash. Th(^ indications in connection with soil tests, conducted 

 throughout the State for a nund)er of years, arc that in many cases it 

 is the soil rather than the crop which regulates the fertilizer require- 

 ments. From these results it is inferred that it is necessary to study 

 and testa soil to learn its dcticiencies and needs. 



Fertilizer experiments during 1900, C. A. Mooers {Tennessee 

 Sta. BuL. Vol. XII L No. S,pp.23,figs.:i). —The experiments reported 

 in this ])ulletin consist of tests with fertilizers on potatoes, corn, cow- 

 peas, and peanuts, and the efiects of fertilizer applications on the germi- 

 nation of the seeds of these crops. The results are given in tabular 

 form and discussed. 



The experiments with potatoes showed the best results from the use 

 of a complete fertilizer containing high percentages of nitrogen, phos- 

 phoric acid, and potash. Cottoji-seed meal proved a more profitable 

 source of nitrogen than nitrate of soda, and a mixture of the two was 

 unprofitable. Potatoes fertilized with a complete fertilizer averaged 

 2.74 per cent higher in starch than potatoes grown without fertilizer, 

 and 1 per cent higher than those fertilized with nitrogen and phos- 

 phoric acid only. Potatoes grown on the Cumberland Plateau averaged 

 0.79 per cent higher in starch than those grown in the Tennessee Val- 

 ley. The use of fertilizers in growing corn on rich soil was not profit- 

 able, but on soil of even moi-e than average productiveness, which had 

 produced corn and small grains consecutively for nian}^ years, the yield 

 was profitably increased oy heavy applications of acid phosphate and 

 nitrate of soda. It was shown that phosphoric acid was the most neces- 

 sary element. Nitrogen in the fertilizer increased the protein content 

 of the grain. AVith cowpeas, phosphoric acid produced a larger yield 

 of pods and peas than when applied in conjunction with potash, but 

 the use of the two elements produced a larger yield of cowpea hay. 

 Nitrogen was not found advantageous, and potash used alone was 

 unprofitable. In the experiments with peanuts, nitrogen applied with 

 phosphoric acid and potash lowered the grade of the nut by producing 

 a thicker hull. 



