32 COTTON CULTURE 



ard of three per cent potash, ten per cent available phos- 

 phoric acid, and three per cent nitrogen. 



Where the soil has been improved by rotation and reno- 

 vating crops, the nitrogen may be reduced in amount, 

 until at last but little of this ingredient will be required 

 except a small amount of nitrate of soda (twenty-five to 

 thirty pounds per acre), in the furrow with the seed for 

 the purpose of giving the young plants a vigorous start. 



WHEN. AND HOW TO APPLY FERTILIZERS 



When the drill is used, distribute the fertilizer in a deep 

 furrow, and mix it by running a scooter furrow through 

 it. In very large applications, it will be a good practice 

 to divide the quantity between the center furrow and the 

 two listing furrows. The simplest method is to open a 

 furrow and sow the fertilizer through the drill, covering 

 with a harrow or bedding it on with a turn plow. If the 

 weather is windy, it will be found advantageous to drop 

 the fertilizer through a long tin tube and thus prevent it 

 from scattering. 



The best method of applying fertilizer is by the use of 

 a machine distributor, drawn by a horse. There are sev- 

 eral very good ones on the market, and they are great 

 labor savers as they open the furrow, sow the fertilizer, and 

 cover it up all in one operation. The plan is to apply 

 about six inches deep through the drill and cover up so 

 that the seed will lie about two inches above the fertilizer. 

 The seed should not come in contact with the fertilizer, par- 



