226 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



a rule, greater than from those supplying potash, due 

 doubtless to the greater abundance of potash in most 

 normal soils. The sandy soils of the Coastal Plains region 

 are generally quite deficient in plant-food and respond 

 to the use of a complete fertilizer. The nitrogen supply, 

 however, should be maintained by the use of barnyard 

 manure and leguminous green-manures. 



275. When to apply fertilizers. The usual practice 

 in the cotton-belt is to apply the fertilizer for corn either 

 a short time before or at the time the crop is planted. This 

 is especially true of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers. 

 When rather heavy applications are to be made, say 400 

 to 800 pounds to the acre, it is good practice to apply a 

 portion of the fertilizer before or at the time of planting, 

 withholding the remainder for intercultural application. In 

 determining the best time to apply fertilizers for corn, one 

 should consider the nature of the materials used. Readily 

 soluble nitrogenous fertilizers, such as nitrate of soda, 

 should not be applied (except in small amounts), before 

 the crop has become well established, and can therefore 

 utilize the fertilizer at once and prevent loss from leaching. 

 It would be wasteful, however, to apply any nitrogenous 

 substance late in the growing season. One of the chief 

 functions of nitrogen is to produce growth. Its late appli- 

 cation prevents it from exercising; this function. 



276. Method of applying fertilizers. Various meth- 

 ods are employed in applying fertilizers for corn. When 

 heavy applications are to be made, broadcasting the 

 fertilizer on the land after plowing and incorporating 

 it in the soil with a harrow, is an excellent practice. Ap- 

 plications up to 300 pounds an acre are usually drilled in 

 or applied in the hill. Drilling with some form of ferti- 

 lizer distributor is preferable. A combination method 



