232 Fertilizers 



been followed with advantage in the middle and southern 

 states. 



For continuous wheat-growing, a fertilizer may be 

 used at time of seeding which supplies 10 pounds of 

 nitrogen, 40 of phosphoric acid and 20 of potash. A 

 small part of this nitrogen would better be in the form 

 of a nitrate, which will encourage a good top-growth 

 in the fall, as well as a deep root system ; the phosphoric 

 acid should be soluble, in order to supply the immediate 

 needs of the young plant, and the potash in the form of a 

 muriate. Such an application would provide for a very 

 considerable increase in crop, particularly if followed in 

 the spring by a top-dressing of 100 pounds to the acre of 

 nitrate of soda. 



The top-dressing with nitrate of soda is, however, 

 not always advisable. The chief objection to its use is 

 that it does not encourage, but frequently seems to retard, 

 the growth of clover, though its very great advantage is 

 that it encourages the deeper rooting of the wheat and 

 the more rapid growth of grasses. If continuous cropping 

 of wheat is practiced, clover should be seeded with it, 

 in order that the ground may be constantly occupied, 

 and thus prevent leaching, as well as mechanical losses 

 of fertility, and also to supply vegetable matter containing 

 nitrogen for the succeeding crop. When a system thus 

 outlined has been continued for a few years, the nitrogen 

 in the fertilizer may be largely omitted. 



The same considerations apply to rye as were indicated 

 for wheat. Oats are seldom grown as a continuous 

 crop, though if it should be desirable, a fertilizer furnish- 

 ing at least 20 pounds of nitrogen, 25 of phosphoric acid 

 and 10 of potash would be a good dressing, care being 

 taken that a large portion of the nitrogen exists as nitrate 



