Normal Soil and Its Requirements 21 



with the garden bean organism, for instance, none 

 must be used but those taken from the bean. Under 

 ordinary conditions, where a soil is known to produce 

 healthy crops of one (legume) variety, some of that 

 soil may be used to inoculate other soils intended for 

 the same crop. 



Economical Use of Commercial Fertilizer 



A knowledge of the functions of soil bacteria and 

 a proper management of the soil means a saving of 

 commercial fertilizer and the proper maintenance of 

 soil fertility. In trucking more than in any other 

 phase of farming, the soil is being made to produce 

 the whole year around. This is especially true for 

 our Southern States where the summer and fall 

 seasons are longest, or where the winters are very 

 mild. It, therefore, often becomes necessary to use 

 chemical fertilizers to supplement the work of the 

 soil bacteria. This is especially true for some par- 

 ticular crops which draw heavily on certain mineral 

 constituents. In order to obtain the greatest re- 

 sults from the use of chemical fertilizers, the follow- 

 ing items should be carefully considered. 



1. The Location of the Field. Uplands or 

 hillsides will require heavier application of fertilizer 

 since some of it is likely to be carried off by washing. 

 Lowlands, especially those near uplands which wash 

 badly, generally require less. 



2. The Character of the Soil. The chemical 

 composition of the soil has a marked influence on the 



