SOILS AND FERTILIZERS 17 



G. Septh* reports that superphosphate, muriate 

 of potash and cottonseed meal, in different combi- 

 nations and varying amounts, were tested on Early 

 Valentine beans. Combinations containing nitrogen 

 gave uniformly the best results, the highest yield 

 being obtained with a mixture applied at the rate of 

 400 pounds of superphosphate, 100 pounds nitrate 

 of soda, 100 pounds muriate of potash and 100 

 pounds cottonseed meal, an acre. Doubling the 

 amounts of fertilizer produced no considerable in- 

 crease in yield. 



C. A. Mooers** states that in field experiments 

 with beans profitable results were obtained by the 

 application of quickly available phosphoric acid and 

 nitrogen. Nitrates increased the vigor of the plants 

 while phosphoric acid hastened the maturity. After 

 careful experimentation, E. B. Ferris*** declared 

 that best results were obtained with the following 

 application: 27 pounds cottonseed meal, 13 pounds 

 dried blood, 60 pounds acid phosphate and 25 pounds 

 kainit an acre. G. Truffant and Denaiffe**** say 

 that the best bean growing fertilizer will analyze 4 

 per cent nitrogen, 8 per cent potash and 17 per cent 

 phosphoric acid. The soil used in this experiment 

 was rich in organic nitrogen and lime, but relatively 

 poor in potash and phosphoric acid. Dr. H. J. 

 Wheeler***** finds that lime is apparently slightly 

 helpful to the white bean when sodium and potassium 

 are present in chlorids, but where the carbonates are 

 used it seems to be injurious. The common white 

 bean, therefore, thrives upon a very acid soil, a fact 

 which may help to explain the New England idea 



*Ga Exper Sta, Bui 14, pp 81-2. "Univ of Tenn Record, 1904, 

 pp 31-2. ***Miss Exper Sta, Bui 79. p 35. ****Jour Soc Nat hort, 

 France, 19CO. **"*R I Exoer Sta, Bui 104. 



