FEBTILIZING MEADOWS 317 



such summer weeds as crab -grass. Unless too 

 large growth is made the first fall, it should not be 

 removed nor pastured, but allowed to remain on 

 the land. If heavy growth is made, it is better to 

 mow, rather than to pasture it off before winter. 



Manures and fertilizers 



In seeding down meadows for permanent mow- 

 ing, it is very important that the land, even 

 though naturally fertile, be well supplied with 

 available plant -food. This may be either barnyard 

 manure or commercial fertilizer; in the absence 

 of barnyard manure, commercial fertilizers can be 

 depended on exclusively. In the use of barnyard 

 manure, the quantity applied should range from 

 six to eight tons per acre, preferably in fine 

 condition, distributed evenly, and thoroughly 

 cultivated into the surface soil. This should be 

 supplemented at time of seeding by a fertilizer 

 mixture made up largely of phosphates and potash 

 salts, as the manure will supply an abundance of 

 nitrogen to give the plant a start and insure its 

 growth the first season. A good formula or 

 mixture for application at time of seeding is the 

 following: 



Nitrate of soda 50 pounds 



Ground tankage or bone . 200 pounds 



Acid phosphate 600 pounds 



Muriate of potash 150 pounds 



