INTRODUCTION. IX 



see crops injured to a great extent by a too free use 

 of commercial fertilizers, and in a test made with 

 some of the leading brands, it was found that five 

 hundred pounds to the acre gave better results than 

 did a ton. In this trial the weather was an important 

 factor, as will be seen by the following statement : 



The fertilizers were largely put in the drills; 

 and before the crops were half grown a period of 

 rainy weather set in, so that the soil was completely 

 vSoaked for more than a month. This rendered solu- 

 ble all the fertilizers. The result was that the crops 

 could not consume them. Drouth and extremely 

 hot weather followed, which caused the caustic prop- 

 erties of the fertilizers to completely burn up the 

 roots of the plants, where the large amounts were 

 used, while the lesser amount proved a benefit. 



No matter how little or how much manure is 

 used, or whatever the character of it may be, it 

 should be evenly and thoroughly incorporated into 

 the soil and the soil made light by tillage so that the 

 roots of the plants will find it all and use as much or 

 as little as may be required. 



Where land is constantly under cultivation, and 

 is made to produce two or more crops annually, 

 both barnyard manure and commercial fertilizers in 

 equal values must be used liberally, and a judicious 

 rotation of crops should be observed. 



This system of cultivation, for other than 

 cereals, has been found to be the only method that 

 will make both the land and the owner rich. Many 

 instances could be cited where the truckers near our 

 large cities are making a profit of two hundred and 

 fifty dollars per acre, and that on farms of two hun- 

 dred acres in extent. 



