348 Fertilizers 



physical conditions are perfect, even good soils should 

 receive considerable dressings of the constituents, if the 

 fertility is to be maintained. 



"The results secured thus far in the experiments 

 referred to demonstrate that the soil needs nitrogen 

 and phosphoric acid particularly, in order to grow cane 

 successfully, while thus far, no results of any character, 

 either in the increased sugar content or tonnage per acre, 

 have been visible from the use of any form of potash upon 

 the alluvial lands of the lower Mississippi. Several forms 

 of potash, notably the carbonate, and ashes of cotton-seed 

 hulls, have rather decreased the yield of cane and injured 

 the physical qualities of the soil by causing it to 'run 

 together.' 



"In reference to the form and amount of nitrogen, 

 it has been shown that sulfate of ammonia gives slightly 

 better results than any other form, though its higher cost 

 gives no advantage over those costing less, while cotton- 

 seed meal comes next, followed by dried blood and nitrate 

 of soda. In reference to the amount of nitrogen to be 

 applied, it is shown that not less than 24 pounds nor more 

 than 48 pounds to the acre should be applied. Naturally, 

 different soils and different kinds of cane would vary in 

 their requirements for this element, and the amount 

 needed would also be influenced by the method of growing 

 the crop : whether upon ' succession' land that is, upon 

 soils upon which a crop of stubble cane has just been 

 taken off, and which has been in cane for a number of 

 years without the intervention of a leguminous crop be- 

 tween to restore the nitrogen or whether upon pea- 

 vine land, upon which the plant cane is grown the first 

 year, stubble cane the second, and corn and cowpeas the 

 third year. This system of rotation, which introduces a 



