22 



profit in vising 1,200 pounds rather than 800 pounds, and a slight profit in 

 using 2,000 instead of 800. In general it may be said that on land 

 which contains a high percentage of fertilizing materials, as found in 

 Field I), it is not advisable to use over 800 or 1,000 pounds of normal 

 fertilizer per acre, while on land possessing only a normal natural 

 fertility, as in Field A. 1,200 to 1,500 pounds per acre of normal fer- 

 tilizer may be used to advantage. 



(4) It is evident that fertilizers such as phosphoric acid and potash 

 which contain large quantities of fertilizing ingredients give better 

 results than those which contain small quantities. 



(5) Muriate of potash apparently gives somewhat better results than 

 kainit, especially on Field A. 



(6) Nitrate* of soda, upon the whole, seems to be a more satisfactory 

 source of nitrogen than cotton seed and cotton-seed meal at practically 

 the same cost. 



(7) Sodium nitrate, however, should be added in small quantities at 

 a time and at rather frequent intervals to avoid loss by leaching 

 during the heavy rains. Cotton seed is a more expensive fertilizer 

 than sodium nitrate or cotton-seed meal. 



(8) On soils represented by Field A more nitrogen is needed in the 

 fertilizer in proportion to the potash and phosphoric acid than on 

 Field B, and vice versa. 



(9) It is evident that excessive amounts of any single fertilizing 

 ingredient are inadvisable, because the plants can not assimilate the 

 excess. The ration for a plant should be carefully balanced to meet 

 the requirements, basing the character of the fertilizer on the amount 

 of available plant food already in the soil, and adding to the fertilizer 

 larger quantities of the elements missing in the soil and diminishing in 

 the fertili/er those elements which are abundant therein. 



It will be interesting also in this connection to note the conclusions 

 reached by Mr. Koddenbery from a study of the data given in Table 

 XII. In this case we have the conclusions deduced by a practical man 

 of a Hairs illustrating the fact that such scientific data have an imme- 

 diate and extremely practical value when placed in the hands of a 

 thinking business man. though he may not be a scientist. Mr. Rod- 

 denhery's deductions are as follows: 



(ONVM'SIONS ON TIIK KKKTII.I/.KK I : \ I'Ki: I \I KNTS. 



I'.V W. H. UoKDENBKRY. 



FIKI.M A. 



(1) A high percentage' of nit rogen assists germ 'mat ion and favors suck- 

 ering. Compare plats NOB. 5, 7, 8, and 1<> with !>. in. 11, i:;. and 24. 



(_') When applied, however, in the furrow with seed cane, heavy 

 ferlili/ation with complete fertilizers prevents germination. See plat 

 No. 15 as to stand. 



