24 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 306 



fertilizer was applied the iiiiilille of April. (Table Vli. ) Likewise, a 

 late fall application of eyanamid was about equal to a March applica- 

 tion (Table IX). C'omplete fertilizer applieil in September proved not 

 to be equal to a siniilai- amount ajiplied in April. (Table X.) 



An application of 100 pounds of nitrate of soda increased yiekls in 

 greater proportion than either a 200- or 400-pound application and a 

 greater percentage of the nitrogen was recovered in the protein of the 

 hay from the small application. (Tables XII and XIII.) 



Nitrate of soda ap])licd Api'il 25 gave slightly better yields tlian when 

 spread April 15 or April 5 and a greater percentage of the nitrogen from 

 the late application was recovered in the forage. (Tables XIV and XV.) 

 A delayed aj)j)lication of nitrogen on June 10, just after the first crop 

 was cut. signiticantly increased the second crop and produced, at the 

 two cuttings, ahnost as much hay as when the fertilizer was applied 

 April 5 or 25. (Tables XVI and XVII.) 



The conclusion seems to be warranted after studying the data that 

 a 1-1-1 ratio of fertilizer nutrients is more satisfactory than a 1-2-2 ratio 

 for gra.ss hay production, assuming that fertilizers are applied annually 

 as they were in the experiments which are described. 



When the financial returns for this top-dressing work are consfdered, 

 it seems that the returns per dollar invested are (piite small, witii hay 

 values calculatetl at $12.00 per ton and using only the cash outlay for 

 fertilizer as a basis for figuring. To make a profit from the operation, 

 then, a farmer must know something about the needs of his soil, either 

 from the past history of the fields in (luestion or from a soil test or both. 

 In fact, a rapitl soil test will likely prove of considerable value in deter- 

 mining the needs for fertilization as well, perhaps, as amounts and ele- 

 ments to use. 



Under some conditions greatest net profit may vomr froui the use of 

 nitrogenous fertilizers only, while uiuler many others a coiiiplcte fer- 

 tilizer is certainly desirable and advisable. To profit most from top- 

 dressing grass lands a farmer must realize these conditions and marshal 

 iis many facts as he can to help him determine the best pi-ocedurc 



Experiments in cutting hay at dilt'erent dates from June 10 to July 30, 

 clearly indicate that a greater amount of protein and a higher protein 

 forage will be harvested from the earlier cuttings. AVhile eai-ly cut hay 

 is somewhat moi'e difflcult to cure, it seems ailvisable if the hay is to be 

 used for cow feed to hai'vest grass hay before the period of bloom. 



Secoiul cuttings fi'oiii J\Mie 10 and June 20 harvests have been slightly 

 heavier than if tlie Jiist cutting is made at a later date and the second 

 ci-op fi-om plots cut early carried somewhat moi'e protein pei- aci'e. 



Ovei- a pei-iod of yeais the stand of hay sutVered somewhat more on 

 the plots cut in mid .season than on those cut eai'ly oi- late. Because this 

 n-diut ion was slight it (h)es not ap|ieai- to be a di'tei mining factor in hay- 

 lanil Mianagement. 



