IDEAL FERTILIZERS 61) 



(1) Base, Though some legumes make a fair growth 

 on soils more or less acid, they do not develop many ni- 

 trogen nodules and, therefore, are of proportionate value, 

 often benefiting the land no more than any cover crop. 

 Lime the land when it is not already slightly alkaline. 



(2) Fertilizer, Apply a formula giving enough and 

 not too much available nitrogen to start the plant off well, 

 and plenty of phosphoric acid and potash to provide for 

 full development of crop. If a large quantity of available 

 nitrogen is applied, the plant and bacteria use it in place 

 of the nitrogen of the air, thus the bacterial benefits are 

 lost; and if too little, the plant is slow in "starting off" 

 for the bacteria have not sufficiently developed to be of 

 much value until about blooming time. 



(3) Bacteria, Each host (except those closely re- 

 lated) has its special bacteria, therefore it is important 

 that this particular organism be at hand. The bacteria 

 associated with cowpeas and velvet, beans seem to be 

 common throughout the State, but often beggar weed does 

 not get a good start the firsi year. This lack can be 

 overcome by ^inoculation," or the introduction of the 

 needed germs. The surest method for this is a scattering 

 over the field of soil from land which has grown a good 

 crop of the intended host. 



This is not practical on a large scale because of expense 

 of transportation, so our efforts must be confined to com- 

 mercial cultures. So far, no method of preparing* such 

 cultures has been devised that insures their vitality; but 

 a large percentage of the products of reliable manufac- 



