Food for k u ik; of the lime will get down into the soil at the right 



XT ld.fl.tS -I -I 



depth. 



106 Mineral Fertilizers. 



This question of the correct application of the 

 mineral elements of plant-food is of great importance, 

 and has not received the consideration it deserves — 

 especially is this so in regard to fertilizing meadows or 

 grass lands, which usually remain seeded down for 

 several years, and there is no time after the seed is 

 sown that the phosphoric acid and potash can be gotten 

 down into the soil where they belong, which place is from 

 three to six inches under the surface. When phosphoric 

 acid or potash are used as a top-dressing for meadows, 

 it is known that they become fixed largely in the surface 

 and consequently tend to attract the feeding roots of 

 the plants to the surface of the soil, where they are 

 least able to withstand the effects of drought, which is so 

 often such a serious factor. 



The amount of phosphoric acid and potash to be 

 used depends upon the soil entirely, and can only be 

 approximated, but the fact that they both become fixed 

 in the soil so that there is practically no danger of loss 

 from one season to another, allows us to be more liberal 

 than we otherwise would, and since the best time to 

 apply it is before the seed is sown, we should be liberal 

 in regard to the quantity used for obvious reasons. 



For good, medium-clay land of average fertility, 

 there should be drilled into the soil broadcast, at least 

 300 pounds per acre of 16 per cent, acid phosphate and 

 300 pounds of ground bone, also 150 pounds per acre of 

 sulphate of potash or its equivalent, and if the soil is a 

 poor, sandy or gravelly soil, or a peaty or muck soil, 

 which are known to be usually deficient in these ele- 

 ments, the quantity of each should be doubled. Re- 

 member when it comes to fertilizing our crops, the 

 question we should ask ourselves is not "how much 

 will it cost me to furnish my crop with the food that it 

 needs?" but "how much will it cost me not to do so?' : 



Acid phosphate appears to be the safest and the 

 best form in which to apply phosphoric acid to soils 

 for hay growing generally. 



