CROPS AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT 



that such an amount can do so in respect to young 

 plants. Phosphoric acid has peculiar power in 

 forcing some development of roots in a small 

 plant, and a small application in the drill or row 

 may help the plants to gain ability to forage for 

 themselves. 



In early spring a small application of nitrate 

 of soda has marked effect, tiding the plants over a 

 period of need until the soil is ready to give up a 

 part of its store. 



If a soil is not fertile, and fertilizers are needed 

 as an important source of plant-food throughout 

 the season, the application should be liberal. 

 If it is necessary to plant a field that is deficient 

 in fertility, expending labor and money for tillage 

 and seed, the only rational course is to furnish all 

 needed plant-food for a good yield. There may 

 be little net profit from the one crop, but there 

 will be more than could be obtained without the 

 liberal fertilization, and the soil will be better 

 equipped for another crop. This applies, in a 

 notable degree, to fertilization of a wheat crop with 

 which timothy and clover will be seeded. The 

 difference in cost of 350 pounds of a high-grade 

 fertilizer and 150 pounds of a low-grade one, when 

 applied to a poor soil under these circumstances, 



[212] 



