SPECIAL FERTILIZERS. 399 



dried stalks per acre will contain 118, 16 and 138 

 pounds, respectively, of these elements. 



Another attempt in the same direction is Bowker's 

 " tobacco ash elements without ammonia," 1000 pounds 

 of which are guaranteed to contain of soluble actual 

 potash 160 pounds, phosphoric acid 60 pounds, lime 300 

 pounds, magnesia 30 pounds. This mixture is guaran- 

 teed "to be composed principally of wood ashes and 

 bone ash, containing potash in the form of carbonate, 

 and the phosphoric acid largely in available form, 

 besides carbonate of lime and magnesia in the same 

 form as in cottonhull ashes, and with a sufficient excess 

 of lime to meet not only the wants of the tobacco crop, 

 but also to counteract any acid condition of the soil, and 

 to improve its texture and mechanical condition. " 



It will be seen that both these mixtures are free 

 from the substances which have proven objectionable to 

 the tobacco crop at the Poquonock experiment station 

 acids, chlorine, excessive magnesia, and deficiency of 

 lime. It is recommended to plow in such mixtures two 

 weeks before setting plants. If the fertilizer is only 

 harrowed in, no harm need be feared if the quantity is 

 moderate and seasonable showers fall ; but if you get 

 caught with a dry spell after setting, more or less dam- 

 age follows. "But," says Jenkins, "be the season wet 

 or dry, the crop will be likely to get the full benefit of- 

 fertilizer which has been plowed under, for the roots 

 will find it." Indeed, tobacco has a widespreading root 

 system, in addition to its taproot, and this is sufficient 

 reason for broadcast applications of manures or fertili- 

 zers plowed under or thoroughly harrowed in. 



A substitute for cottonhull ashes, or other forms of 

 tobacco ash ingredients, also a substitute for cottonseed 

 meal, or castor pomace, is put out by Mr. Bowker as 

 modification of his "ash elements." It has ammonia, 

 in addition to the ash elements, serving as a general fer- 



