Fertilizers for Cereals and Grasses 233 



or as ammonia, in order to stimulate and strengthen the 

 early growth of the plant. For the grass crop, or con- 

 tinuous mowing land, a fertilizer rich in nitrogen and 

 potash should be applied. A good application in the 

 spring may consist of 25 pounds of nitrogen, 15 of phos- 

 phoric acid and 25 of potash, and immediately after the 

 hay is harvested a further application of at least 20 pounds 

 of nitrogen and 30 each of phosphoric acid and potash 

 should be applied. The nitrogen in this case may consist 

 partly of organic forms, though the soluble nitrogen is 

 to be preferred as top-dressings where it can be procured 

 at such a price as to make it comparable with other forms. 

 The nitrogen of bone, tankage and other slower-acting 

 forms is excellent for the grasses, though these should be 

 preferably applied and well worked into the soil previous 

 to seeding. The early spring application should consist 

 largely of soluble nitrogen, both to encourage a rapid 

 appropriation of this element by the plant early in the 

 season, as well as a deeper root-system, and consequently 

 a greater drought-resisting power, and also to provide 

 the elements necessary for the increased crop. The 

 summer or later application stimulates and strengthens 

 the roots for the coming season. If an aftermath crop is 

 removed, or if it is pastured, a further application may be 

 made which may consist largely of the mineral elements. 

 This fertilization of the hay crop will also result in a richer 

 product, for an abundant supply of nitrogen encourages a 

 larger proportion of leaf growth, and consequently a smaller 

 proportion of stem, containing the less valuable woody 

 matter. Lands that are well fertilized in this way, if 

 properly seeded in the first place, may make profitable 

 mowing crops for a long series of years, and good crops 

 cannot be expected unless liberal fertilization is practiced. 



