12 CORN-COTTON. 



In addition to the nitrogen, it is essential to apply the proper quan- 

 tities of potash and phosphoric acid to grain crops, and a neglect in 

 this respect will not only prevent a remunerative yield, but will also 

 cause the grain to lodge. 



The following quantities per acre may be taken as an average for 

 cereal crops: 



500 lbs. per acre of a fertilizer containing 8 per cent, of phosphoric 

 acid and 5 per cent, potash. As many practical farmers have fouifd 

 that barley responds well to potash fertilizers, a larger amount of 

 potash than above recommended may often be applied with profit. 



CORN. 



The importance of potash fertilization for corn is established beyond 

 question by the results obtained at the Experiment Stations of a great 

 number of States. These results show that the marked increase in 

 the yield of corn and fodder is due to potash, which is the controlling 

 element, rather than to phosphoric acid or nitrogen. If a legume crop 

 as clover or alfalfa precedes the corn, there is little need of nitrogen 

 beyond that supplied by green manuring, while phosphoric acid may 

 be used in smaller doses than potash. 



The attention of practical farmers is called to the results with potash 

 upon corn crops at the Kentucky, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New 

 Hampshire and New Jersey Experiment Stations. Here we have 

 experiments in different States upon different soils, and the results of 

 potash fertilization on the yield of corn and fodder show for them- 

 selves. In the Kentucky blue-grass region the increase was from 30 

 to 50 bushels of ear corn per acre. 



On peat soils which are rich in nitrogen and phosphoric acid an in- 

 crease of 30 bushels and more of shelled corn has been obtained by 

 using 200 lbs. per acre of Muriate of Potash. 



COTTON. 



The uplands of the South are usually in a poor state, owing to the 

 old-time practice of planting the same lands year after year with cot- 

 ton. Hence, the first thing is to improve the physical and mechanical 

 condition of the soil. This can be done most economically by "plow- 

 ing under" green crops, such as a crimson clover or cow-peas, in com- 

 bination with potash-phosphate fertilization. 



