An acre of corn yielding fifty bushels requires approximately 74 

 pounds of nitrogen, 115 pounds of phosphoric acid and 35.5 pounds of 

 potash. A ton of average barnyard manure contains 10 pounds of 

 nitrogen, from 6 to 7 pounds of phosphoric acid, and from 12 to 16 

 pounds of potash. If five good big loads of manure are applied to the 

 acre, approximately 50 pounds of nitrogen, and from 30 to 35 pounds of 

 phosphoric acid, and 60 pounds of potash, are placed in the ground. It 

 will be seen that five tons of manure do not contain as much nitrogen as 

 is removed by the crop. If, however, the stalks and stubble are left on 

 the ground, the account is balanced. If live-stock is permitted to run 

 in the stalk field, the manure from the stock will remain on the ground, 

 and it contains approximately 80 per cent of the nitrogen contained in 

 the feed eaten by the stock. To maintain the nitrogen content, 

 beyond question, clover should be rotated with corn and oats, or corn 

 and wheat, thus furnishing an abundance of nitrogen. If clover cannot 

 be grown, then cow peas or soy beans should be planted between the 

 rows of corn after the last cultivation. It is also a good plan to sow 

 vetch with the last cultivation. Where clover is grown, the first crop 

 should be cut for hay and the second crop plowed under. 



Often a farmer will say he cannot secure enough manure for his land. 

 In such cases my only answer is: "Raise less corn and more live-stock." 

 In this connection, I will state that peaty land is excessively rich in 

 nitrogen and usually very deficient in potash. In that event, it is best 

 not to apply too much manure for the reason that the stalks of the plants 

 will grow too rank and the ear will be small and mature slowly. The 

 better plan is to apply less manure and make a liberal application of 

 potash in a commercial form, thus making a more nearly balanced ration 

 for the plant. Peaty soils are also improved by applying sand or clay. 



I want to impress upon the farmer that the corn plant is a strong 

 feeder and demands a variety of feeds in the right proportion. An 

 over-supply of one element will not take the place of another. Nitrogen 

 cannot take the place of potash, phosphorus or any other element, nor 

 can any one element take the place of another. If an element is absent 

 or deficient, it should be supplied regardless of cost, for you cannot fool 

 the corn plant. A little study and close observation will usually furnish 

 the required knowledge to produce a profitable crop. 



To illustrate the value of just one little suggestion, I will cite the fol- 

 lowing instance: A few years ago a farmer stated that he could not 

 raise more than twenty bushels of corn per acre on a sandy twenty. I 

 persuaded him to plant peas on one-half the field and let the balance re- 

 main idle. The peas made a good growth and were turned under in the 

 fall. The following year the entire field was planted to corn. Where 

 the peas were grown he secured 68 bushels per acre and on the other half 

 a little less than 21 bushels. He followed with oats and secured a re- 



