﻿14 BULLETIN 16, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



fertilizer analyzing 8 per cent of phosphoric acid, 4 per cent of 

 ammonia, and 7-J per cent of potash. On the very lightest soils of 

 the New Belt section, for reasons already mentioned, better results 

 might be obtained by reducing the phosphoric acid, say, to 400 

 pounds, or by increasing the blood (ammonia) to 300 pounds or more, 

 thus narrowing the ratio between the ammonia and phosphoric acid 

 to 5 or 5^ to 8 instead of 4 to 8 as shown in the formula as given. 



Fertilizers for tobacco are generally applied in the row, and when 

 used in the ordinary quantities better immediate effects are no doubt 

 realized. When considerable fertilizer is used in the row, however, 

 even in the quantities mentioned above, it should be thoroughly in- 

 corporated with the soil by running a double-shovel plow with nar- 

 row teeth along the row before it is bedded. When large quantities 

 of fertilizer are used, it might be best to apply at least half broadcast. 

 In connection with the use of fertilizers, it is assumed that the humus 

 supply has been given due consideration, thus insuring a good 

 physical condition and moisture-holding capacity. A tight, drought- 

 stricken, or badly drained soil can not be expected to become very 

 productive just by increasing the supply of plant food in the form 

 of commercial fertilizers. 



In the above discussion no special mention has been made of the 

 relative value of the different sources from which the plant-food 

 materials may be derived, and this has purposely been omitted for the 

 sake of brevity. It should be stated, however, that the materials 

 mentioned may be regarded as standard, in the light of our present 

 knowledge, and as good as anything now on the market. 



As a source of potash, however, the sulphate should generally be 

 given the preference in a tobacco fertilizer. The other materials 

 most likely to be used as a substitute are muriate of potash and 

 kainit. Both of these materials contain large quantities of chlorin, 

 which has a tendency to make the tobacco burn poorly. Complaints 

 have frequently been made as to the poor burning quality of flue- 

 cured tobacco, particularly in respect to tobacco from the New Belt 

 section, and it would be unwise to use anything in the fertilizer 

 which would tend to strengthen the basis for this criticism. 



BARN MANURE FOR FLUE-CURED TOBACCO. 



While commercial fertilizers are and of necessity must remain the 

 chief reliance of the tobacco grower, barn lot or stable manure is used 

 to some extent on bright tobacco, although it has opponents as 

 Avell as advocates of its suitability for this crop. In so far as its 

 use may be considered objectionable, the objection has the same basis 

 as that of other organic materials overrich in ammonia, namely, the 

 tendency to make the tobacco coarser and darker. The lighter and 

 poorer the land in respect to other ammoniates, the more likely is the 



