39 



manure is relatively rich in nitrogen. The use of manure, therefore, is 

 likely to lead to the production of a good grade of hay for market. 

 Manure, if to be used for top-dressing, should be at least partially 

 rotted. It is best to put on in the fall, and a manure spreader is a very 

 desirable implement for the work. 



The selection of fertilizers for top-dressing grass lands must be deter- 

 mined largely by the character of hay which it is desired to i^roduce, 

 and it should also be varied according as the mowing is permanent or 

 used in rotation for hoed crops. On mowings which are used in 

 rotation for hoed crops, and where the production of market hay is the 

 object, nitrate of soda should be the most prominent among the fer- 

 tilizers used ; and, while the quantities which it will pay to apply must 

 of course vary with the conditions, the following mixture is suggested : — 



Pounds. 



Nitrate of soda, 175 to 200 



Acid phosphate, 50 to 100 



High-grade sulfate of potash, . . . 50 to 100 



These materials should be mixed and applied about May 1. For similar 

 mowings, where a large proportion of clover in the hay is desired, the 

 following mixture of materials is suggested : — 



Pounds. 



Acid phosphate, 100 



Basic slag meal, " . 400 



High-grade sulfate of potash, . . . 150 to 200 



These materials should be mixed and applied either late in the fall or 

 very early in the spring. 



For permanent mowings, as well as for those used in rotation, nitrate 

 of soda should be prominent if the production of market hay is the 

 object. The quantity of this fertilizer which may be used must be 

 determined largely by experience. An application which may be safely 

 used on some soils or in some localities will cause the grass to lodge 

 seriously in others. The usual range in quantity which may be profit- 

 ably used is from about 150 to 250 pounds per acre. The following 

 mixture of materials, although not yet tested for a long period of time 

 on the college grounds at Amherst, is recomxuended with much confi- 

 dence : — 



Pounds. 



Nitrate of soda, . . . . . . 150 to 250 



Basic slag meal, 300 to 400 



High-grade sulfate of potash, . . . . 75 to 100 



For the permanent mowings, where hay rich in clover is desired, an 

 annual application of basic slag meal 400 to 600 pounds, and high-grade 

 sulfate of potash 125 to 200 pounds, will, it is believed, give good crops. 

 The mixture of materials containing nitrate of soda should be put on 

 about May 1, the other mi.xture late in the fall or early in spring. 



It will be readily understood that the mixtures suggested by no means 

 exhaust the possibilities, and they may not under all conditions prove 

 the most desirable. Thus, for example, wood ashes may in many local- 

 ities give the most profitable returns when used on mowings in which 



