Food for b ut) w j t h thjg crO p especially, cheap ammoniates are very 

 s dear. The cotton plant should have stored up all the food 



it needs by the ist or I5th of August; from this time on 

 growth should be checked that the plant may develop the 

 formation of seed and lint. If, on the contrary, plant food 

 is still supplied late in the season, new growth is the result, 

 and in consequence a lessened production of lint and seed. 

 The lower grade ammoniates, such as cotton-seed meal, green 

 manuring, tankage, and dried blood, continue to supply 

 available Nitrogen until checked by cold weather, hence these 

 forms of ammoniates are not desirable for the most econ- 

 omical production of cotton. In order to supply the necessary 

 plant food for the earlier stages of growth, so much of these 

 low grade ammoniates must be used that injury from lack of 

 ripening is almost sure to occur. 



The most rational way of fertilizing cotton is to apply 

 the phosphoric acid and potash with the seed, or just before 

 seeding. As soon as the plants are well above ground, top- 

 dress along the rows with 100 pounds of Nitrate of Soda 

 per acre, and work well in with the cultivator. This fur- 

 nishes the cotton plant with precisely the Best Form of 

 Nitrogen, Nitrate, for rapid growth, and does not continue 

 to push the plant long after new growth should have ceased. 



One hundred pounds of Nitrate of Soda may be used as 

 a top-dressing four weeks after planting. 



Successful results have been obtained by using Nitrate 

 alone, either at the time of planting, at the ratio of 100 

 pounds to the acre, or a spoonful of this salt placed around 

 and near each cotton bush later, mixing it thoroughly with 

 the dry soil. Avoid placing the Nitrate on the plant or in 

 contact with it. 



Fertilization and Cultivation of Cotton. 

 Bulletin of North Carolina Department of Agriculture. 

 P . Cotton is generally grown on ridges 



This is necessary on wet soils, but on all 

 fairly well-drained upland and sandy soils we are convinced 

 that level and frequent shallow cultivation, as was indicated 

 for corn, is the best and most economical method to follow 

 in growing cotton. Ridge culture may give better results in 

 very wet years, but taking the seasons as they come the ad- 

 vantage will lie, we think, with flat culture. 



