10 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 356 



200 lb. Sulfate of Ammonia 200 lb. Sulfate of Ammonia 



600 lb. Superphosphate 800 lb. Superphosphate 



80 lb. Muriate of Potash 80 lb. Muriate of Potash 



lb. mixture= 1,000 lb. of 4-12-4 1,080 lb. mixture= 1,000 lb. of 4-16-4 



lb. mixture= 100 lb. of 4-12-4 108 lb. mixture= 100 lb. of 4-16-4 



200 lb. Sulfate of Ammonia 

 800 lb. Superphosphate 

 160 lb. Muriate of Potash 



1,160 lb. mixture^ 1,000 lb. of 4-16- 

 1 16 lb. mixture= 100 lb. of 4-16-: 



Applying Fertilizers. Fertilizer is definitely more effective when drilled each 

 side of the row but not in contact with the seed than when applied broadcast. 

 If a modern planter is used with proper drill attachment to place the fertilizer in 

 separate bands almost an inch away from the seed, then most or all the fertilizer 

 may be drilled. With check row planters, amounts of fertilizer above 500 pounds 

 should be drilled in continuous bands rather than dropped only at the hills. 



Caution is necessary in the use of mixed fertilizer for row applications. Even 

 relatively small amounts applied directly above or below the seed tend to be 

 unsafe, and, if applied in contact with the seed, will probably burn. Old type 

 distributors which tend to place fertilizer materials quite close to the seed are 

 unsafe except for the application of superphosphate or for part of the usual corn 

 grade fertilizers. The remainder of the fertilizer can be broadcast either before 

 planting or as side dressing at the time of first cultivation when the corn is up. 



Another method of applying considerable fertilizer safely yet efficiently is 

 suggested when planting by hand or with old type planters. The nitrogen and 

 potash materials, 200 and 150 pounds per acre, respectively, may be applied 

 first, either broadcast and harrowed in when fitting the seed bed, or topdressed 

 after the field is planted. Row application of the superphosphate, 300 to 500 

 pounds, may then be made safely in the planter or by hand. 



Liming Corn Land. Since seeding of grass and clovers commonly follows corn, 

 attention should be given to applying extra superphosphate broadcast and lime 

 if needed. This should be included when preparing in the spring, if the clover 

 is to be seeded in the last cultivation of corn. On strongly acid soils, lime will 

 benefit both the corn and the clover. And the extra superphosphate broadcast, 

 about 500 pounds, is also valuable for the clover. 



Unless soils are strongly acid (below pH 5.5) corn may do well without lime, 

 especially if considerable manure is used. In such cases, and where plowing after 

 corn is to be practiced before seeding to clovers, lime could be applied on the 

 furrow just before the clover. However, on very acid soils, or in case alfalfa is 

 to follow corn, 1 J4 to 2 tons of lime could be applied to advantage when fitting 

 the land for corn. Later, when this land is again plowed following the corn, 

 further lime may be applied. 



Fitting the Seed Bed for Corn. Thorough harrowing before planting facilitates 

 weed control later. Harrow deep to pulverize the clods beneath. A smoothing 

 harrow and plank drag will smooth the surface ready for plan"'ig. 



