MAIZE. 



nitrogen-loving" crop, its nitrogen requirements are usually fully 

 met by the rapid nitrification which takes place during the 

 South African summers of high temperatures and moist con- 

 ditions ; moreover, under a good cropping system the use of 

 leguminous green manures will further militate against any 

 likely shortage of nitrogen. The application of potassic fer- 

 tilisers is of doubtful utility, as both analytically and empiri- 

 cally South African maize soils have been shown to contain 

 sufficient available quantities of this element. Almost invari- 

 ably, however, our soils are found to be lacking lamentably in 

 phosphates, which are absolutely essential for full development, 

 particularly of the grain. Wherever phosphatic fertilisers have 

 been used judiciously good results have accrued, except under 

 abnormal conditions. The use of lime in maize production is 

 of doubtful value, chiefly on the score of economy. Experi- 

 ments in the Transvaal have not shown an increase commen- 

 surate with the cost of applying lime. No doubt on certain 

 acid soils it might be profitably employed. The use of phos- 

 phatic fertilisers is in fact becoming popular among our maize 

 growers. The following experiment at Koedoespoort during 

 the years] 910-13 indicates the wisdom of using fertilisers under 

 our conditions.^" 



The maize was valued at 9s. per bag. This soil was origin- 

 ally low in lime and available phosphate, and moderate in 

 nitrogen and potash, hence the increase for basic slag and bone 

 meal over superphosphate. 



Generally speaking, high grade superphosphate applied at 

 the rate of 200 pounds per acre seldom fails to give profitable 



