4 BULLETIN 442, U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTUKE. 



of potash, and 18.75 pounds of phosphoric acid. In the fertilizer 

 tests a better growth was secured when the potash was applied in the 

 form of the sulphate, and the results were more satisfactory when 

 part of the nitrogen was apphed in organic form. In the tests which 

 have been made a fertilizer having 4 per cent nitrogen, 5 per cent 

 potash, and 8 per cent phosphoric acid, applied at the rate of 600 

 pounds to the acre, has given the best results with the least cost. On 

 soils of higher fertility a smaller quantity could be used. Although 

 the use of larger quantities of fertilizers will give a heavier growth, it 



Fig. 3. — A mature clump of lemon grass, with divisions taken from it and trimmed for planting. 



is by no means certain that the additional cost will be met by the 

 increase in the crop. 



As soon as the plants have become well established in the field the 

 fertilizer should be given as a side application and well worked in at 

 the first cultivation. Cultivation should be frequent throughout the 

 spring, to conserve the soil moisture, and throughout the summer all 

 weeds should be kept down, as a few ill-smellmg weeds in the crop 

 at harvest time will greatly injure the odor of the oil. After the first 

 year, only slight cultivation is needed, smce after it is well established 

 lemon grass tends to retard weed growth. 



HARVESTING. 



The first cutting should be made four or five months after planting, 

 at which time the plants should be from 2^ to 3 feet high and the 

 bunches from 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Although the plants will 



