540 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



seed are frequently rolled in ashes, or sometimes in acid phosphate or 

 other fertilizer before planting. The amount of fertilizer used per 

 acre varies greatly. From as little as 50 pounds to as much as 1,000 

 pounds per acre is used. The average amount used by the very great 

 majority of cotton growers is probably between 175 and 200 pounds 

 per acre. The fertilizer is for the most part the commercial "am- 

 moniated" article, although considerable quantities of acid phos- 

 phate (with or without potash) and home mixtures of chemicals 

 are so used. In the case of composts, such as that prepared by the 

 "Furman formula," for example, the amount used is usually about 

 400 pounds per acre. 



The commercial ammoniated fertilizer sold in the Southern 

 States at the present time will average in composition, approxi- 

 mately 



Per cent. 



Soluble (available) phosphoric acid 9 



Nitrogen 2 



Potash 2 



Acid phosphates range in content from 12 to 15 per cent of 

 available phosphoric acid, and are often given a small content of 

 potash, ranging from one-half of 1 per cent to 2 per cent. 



The home mixture of chemicals is usually constructed on the 

 formula approximately 



Pounds. 



Acid phosphate 1,200 



Cotton-seed meal 600 



Kainit . 200 



2,000 



At the time of planting it has been found an excellent practice 

 to apply a few pounds of readily soluble fertilizer directly in the 

 furrows with the seed. For this purpose a portion of the fertilizer 

 intended to be bedded on may be reserved (say 40 to 50 pounds per 

 acre) ; but nitrate of soda has been found most convenient and effec- 

 tive and it should be applied at the rate of 25 to 40 pounds per acre. 

 The effect of this small dose of quickly soluble and immediately 

 available nitrogen is to cause the young seedlings to be very strong 

 and vigorous on their first appearance, and to grow more luxuriantly 

 during the first few weeks after planting, enabling the farmer to 

 commence the work of cultivating and thinning to a stand some 

 days earlier and with more confidence. The experience of a good 

 many years justifies a strong indorsement and recommendation of 

 this simple detail. The nitrate of soda may be applied by strewing 

 it along behind the planting machine either immediately or within 

 a day or two. No covering is necessary. 



A crop so re-enforced and encouraged at the very start will be 

 more likely to escape injury from plant lice, cutworms, and the like, 

 and the more vigorous young plants will be able to resist the effects 

 of rough or careless working. In the early history of the use of 

 commercial fertilizers (mostly imported guanos), it was a favorite 



