Fertilizers for Various Special Crops 353 



early in the season, a larger amount may be applied with 

 safety than if the poorer forms are used. Of the three 

 constituents, potash in the form of muriate seems to be 

 the one exercising the greatest influence upon the yield of 

 sugar, hence it should always be introduced in consid- 

 erable amounts in fertilizers for sorghum. 1 A fertilizer 

 furnishing 20 pounds of nitrogen, 35 of phosphoric acid 

 and 60 of potash to the acre will meet the needs on aver- 

 age soils. 



Buckwheat. 



Buckwheat is frequently grown upon the poorer soils 

 of the farm. It is a crop well adapted to mountain lands, 

 and as a preparatory crop in the breaking of new lands. 

 It has not been carefully studied in reference to its needs 

 for plant-food, though phosphoric acid seems to be the 

 constituent more particularly required than the others. 

 Its need of nitrogen is marked, yet because its entire growth 

 and development are made during the months of July and 

 August, when conditions are most favorable for soil 

 activities, heavy nitrogenous fertilization is not to be 

 recommended, except when grown on very light soils, or 

 those deficient in vegetable matter. The moderate use 

 of fertilizers rich in minerals, and which contain nitrogen 

 in quickly available forms, result favorably, not only in 

 increasing the yield, but assist materially in maturing 

 the crop, a matter of great importance. A fertilization 

 with 25 pounds to the acre each of phosphoric acid and 

 potash and 10 of nitrogen may be regarded as a good one 

 for soils of medium character. 



1 Report for 1886, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment 

 Station. 



2A 



