Fertilizers for Cereals and Grasses 225 



into the available nitrate. The top-dressings should 

 be made as soon as the crop has been well started, and 

 should range from 75 to 150 pounds to the acre, according 

 to the character of the soil and previous fertilization. 

 The better the natural character of the soil and its treat- 

 ment, the larger the dressing that may be applied with 

 possible profit, though in no case should it exceed the larger 

 amount. In many cases it is advisable to make the spring 

 application of nitrate of soda at intervals of two weeks or 

 more. 



Rye. 



Rye is often used in this rotation, especially when a 

 poor field comes around, because it is often considered a 

 scavenger. In spite of this it is a crop which responds to 

 good cultivation and fertilization. The use of a ferti- 

 lizer, rich in phosphoric acid and available nitrogen, is 

 especially recommended. An application of 50 pounds 

 of nitrate of soda, 200 of acid phosphate and 25 of muriate 

 of potash should supply ample food to insure a good fall 

 growth. 



In order to provide an abundance of available nitrogen 

 for a maximum crop of both straw and grain, the rye 

 should be top-dressed in spring with at least 100 pounds of 

 nitrate of soda to the acre, broadcast, just as soon as the 

 plants start. At this season of the year, the requirements 

 of the plant are the greatest, and the supply of available 

 nitrogen in the soil very meager ; hence such an applica- 

 tion fully meets the special needs of the plants for nitrogen. 



Clover. 



There are a number of types of clover which are sown 

 in wheat when the ground is honeycombed in spring and 

 Q 



