OFFICIAL INSPECTIONS 74. 283 



CONDENSED DIRECTIONS FOR I916. 



Crops can be successfully grown without potash under cer- 

 tain conditions. It is not believed, however, that New Eng- 

 land agriculture can be successfully maintained at its present 

 high rate without the purchase of plant food, including potash. 

 However, for the year 1916 under the emergency, it is believed 

 that agriculture may be successfully prosecuted without potash, 

 if the following conditions are observed : 



Select for the money crop only soils that are known to be in 

 good tilth and in good heart. Avoid, so far as possible, the 

 light sandy soils of the State. 



Pay special attention to plowing, harrowing and cultivating 

 so as to "fine" the soil as much as possible. Tillage renders 

 the plant food of the soil much more available. 



Properly conserve all of the possible available plant food 

 from waste. This can be utilized by composting or by applying 

 directly to the soil. Composting makes unavailable sources 

 more available. 



Spread the farm manure over a greater area than ordinarv 

 and supplement by the purchase of commercial fertilizers with- 

 out potash. 



The following specific recommendations are given not that 

 they are the best or that they may give high financial returns 

 but with the belief that despite the lack of experimental data, 

 following these recommendations will lead to satisfactory re- 

 sults. Be sure to insist that at least one-third of the nitrogen 

 in mixed goods be in the form of nitrate of soda. 



TOP DRESSING GRASS LAND, WINTER RYE, ETC. 



Ammoniates. Nitrate of soda is without doubt the best 

 ammoniate for top dressing mowing lands. The high cost the 

 present season may make it desirable to use some other form. 

 Sulphate of ammonia is a good top dressing. Probably cyan- 

 amide used by itself would make a good top dressing. Equal 

 weights of cyanamide and nitrate of soda would be useful for 

 this purpose. Cyanamide cannot, of course, be used with sul- 

 phate of ammonia. Any of these materials can be used at the 

 rate of 100 to 300 pounds per acre. 



