special early growth. The experiments which have |j^ or 



been conducted with a view to answering this question 



have shown clearly that while Nitrate is most useful, 6l 

 a combination of the Nitrate with the quickly available 

 organic forms, as dried blood, or with both organic and 

 ammonia forms, is preferable to the use of any single 

 form. 



On good potato soils, therefore, a M et h ds of 

 good fertilization should consist of from p rac tice. 

 800 to 1,000 pounds of a fertilizer con- 

 taining Nitrogen, 4 per cent.; available phosphoric acid, 

 8 per cent., and potash, 10 per cent.; one-third of the 

 Nitrogen at least to be derived from Nitrate of Soda 

 and the remainder from quickly available organic forms. 

 On soils in good condition the fertilizer may be applied 

 in the row at the time of planting, though many prefer 

 to apply one-half of the desired amount broadcast pre- 

 viously and the remainder in the row with the seed. 

 Where there appears to be a deficiency of Nitrogen, 

 the application of 100 pounds of Nitrate per acre at 

 the time of blossoming will encourage the rapid growth 

 of tubers, though retarding, to some extent, the time 

 of ripening. 



The sweet potato finds its most Sweet ^^ 

 congenial home in a light, sandy soil, 

 the physical character of the soil measuring, to a large 

 extent, the quality of the crop, though the method of 

 fertilization will also influence this to a certain extent. 

 This plant seems to have the power of acquiring from 

 the soil Nitrogen that is inaccessible to other plants, . 

 and thus, where large applications of this element are 

 made, a tendency to undue growth seems to be encour- 

 aged, and also to change the marketable quality of the 

 tubers, causing a long, rooty growth, rather than a 

 compact, nodular form. The use of a small amount of 

 Nitrogen is, however, desirable, an increase of from 

 50 to 70 bushels per acre being secured from such use. 

 Hence, soils rich in Nitrogen, or those upon which 

 Nitrogen has been previously applied in considerable 

 quantities, do not produce tubers of the character de- 

 manded by our northern markets — a small, round tuber, 

 which cooks dry and has a nutty flavor. These char- 



