78 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



nature of the soil, the labor required will be greater than in 

 others, but it is important that harrowing and disking be 

 continued until the soil is well prepared. 



Fertilizing. The best fertilizer for corn is stable manure 

 applied early enough to become well rotted before the crop 

 is put in. The practice of spreading the manure in the winter 

 while the ground is frozen is a good one for the Northern 

 States. The manure adds nitrogen to the soil and promotes 

 good conditions in the way already described. Manure should 

 be balanced by the addition of phosphate of some kind and 

 a small amount of potash. Most soils have in store a con- 

 siderable amount of potash. In such cases only enough 

 need be added to supply the plants during their early grow- 

 ing period, the time when they need it most, for the soil 

 furnishes the rest. 



There are several ways of applying a fertilizer that are in 

 common practice. The method already considered, that of 

 spreading a mixture of rock phosphate or acid phosphate and 

 manure, will provide most of the phosphoric acid needed. 

 A light dressing of acid phosphate and potash spread over 

 the ground and worked in with a harrow, will complete the 

 ordinary fertilizer requirements for corn. In this way there 

 will be plenty of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and po- 

 tassium for the young plants, and an abundant supply in 

 store to be drawn upon later, as it is needed. Some farmers 

 fertilize heavily for a crop, such as wheat, in a rotation with 

 corn. The residue from this application remains to be used 

 later by the corn. 



Seed selection. The use of good seed corn is quite 

 essential for production, but is a matter much neglected. 

 Too often, just before planting time, a selection is hastily 

 made from the crib, with a poor stand and inferior crop as a 



