210 Fertilizers 



large crop still leaves an unused residue, upon which the 

 clover crop following is also able to make a maximum 

 growth, and thus three crops are fertilized with the one 

 application. The hay is either fertilized with both the 

 minerals and nitrogen, or lightly top-dressed with nitrogen 

 early in the spring. The yard manure, accumulated from 

 the residue of straw, hay and corn, is applied to the corn, 

 which, being a gross feeder, is able to obtain from this an 

 abundance. Thus, by the heavy application of fertilizer 

 upon the "money crop," all the crops in the rotation are 

 benefited. 



This method possesses many valuable features, and is, 

 perhaps, quite as well adapted as any other for this system 

 of farm practice. 



An irrational system. 



The most expensive and irrational system of all, and 

 one more commonly practiced than any other in general 

 farming, may be termed the "hit or miss" system; if a 

 "hit" is made, there is a profit, if a "miss," the loss is 

 trifling. In this system, no special thought is given to the 

 character of the crop or its needs. If the farmer can 

 afford it, he purchases a fertilizer, without regard to its 

 composition, and applies it in very small amounts. If it 

 happens to contain that element which is particularly 

 needed for the plant to which it is applied, a profit is 

 secured. In too many cases, however, the constituents 

 added are already in abundance in the soil, or so little of 

 the fertilizer is used as to preclude any profit. 



SUMMARY 



With the exception of this last system, there are good 

 features in all of these suggested methods of use, and it 



