430 - BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. [Pub. Doc. 



After calculating tlie fertilizer supply of grazing stock left 

 as voidings, the annual deficit ma}^ be supplied and probably 

 more than su})plicd by 15 to 20 pounds nitrate of soda, 8 to 

 4 pounds muriate of potash and 15 pounds of acid phosphate, 

 containing 14 per cent of phosphoric acid. The whole should 

 not cost more than 55 to -60 cents. But no practical man 

 would begin their use with but 33 pounds of chemicals annu- 

 ally. I named 500 pounds annually in the July crop report, 

 with an annual reduction thereafter; 125 to 150 pounds 

 annually would give marked results, — would double the 

 grazing value of an acre in a brief period. I named large 

 amounts in the Jvily crop report for intensive work, and no 

 doubt more than most will care to venture to use. On rough 

 pastures, where the spreading must be b}^ hand, a larger 

 (juantity, answering for several years, maybe used, in which 

 case more insolu1)le forms than those above named will be 

 required. Tankage supplemented b}^ ashes, or by 14 pounds 

 muriate of potash to 100 pounds tankage, would make an 

 advantageous fertilizer. Bone meal is an old and tried 

 l)asture specific. For steer grazing, as little potash is with- 

 druAvn by them, this would answer alone for good ]>asture, 

 but not for maxinuim results, nor would it do so well for 

 cow pasture without blood or nitrate of soda annuall}'. The 

 influence of half a ton of tankage or bone meal would be 

 seen for years. It is, of course, understood that a cleared 

 l)asturc, and, in the absence of the right sort of grass, new 

 seed, are to be secured. It is of considerable importance to 

 the dairy farmer that the increased growth of pasture grass 

 aids the fields. The droppings in the barn or yard at night 

 are increased, and pass to the fields. It should also be 

 noted that chemicals may be better adapted to pasture fer- 

 tilization than yard manure, especially where steers graze, 

 from the fact that any proportion of nitrogen, potash or 

 phosphoric acid may be used. Steer pasture needs little 

 but })hosphoric acid, and for these, where heavy applications 

 are made, bone meal will answer fairly well for a few years. 

 Some nitrate of soda or blood would be needed as the years 

 pass by. 



