128 SUGAR BEET SEED. 



potassa, I20 lbs.; phosphoric acid, 32 lbs.; Hme, 63 lbs.; 

 magnesia, 59 lbs. It would be a great mistake to 

 adhere strictly to these figures, and it is evident that 

 the fertilizer for mothers must be very intensive. The 

 mixtures used on the soil at Besny are the outcome of 

 considerable experience. To retain the general uni- 

 formity in their composition, after the crops of seeds 

 are harvested, there is added per acre 130 to 180 lbs. 

 sodic nitrate (containing 15.5 to 16 per cent, nitrogen), 

 "30 to 180 Ibs.potassic chloride (containing 56 to 57 per 

 cent, potassa), 180 to 260 lbs. double sulphate of potassa 

 and magnesia (containing 27 per cent, potassa, 25 per 

 cent, magnesia), 70 to 75 lbs. nitrogenous substances 

 (blood, oil cake, etc.), 540 to 600 lbs. furnace slag 

 (18 per cent, phosphoric acid), which is several times 

 in excess of what is needed. 



It is interesting to note that M. Legras insists 

 that 90 lbs. nitrogen per acre is an excess, the differ- 

 ence between it and what has been or what will be 

 absorbed may be subsequently added. This precau- 

 tion is necessary to make sure that the seed will 

 mature in the regular number of months, excess of 

 nitrogen seeming to retard maturity; the same cannot 

 be said of phosphoric acid, for the plant absorbs what 

 it requires for its complete development, and no more. 



On the fertilizer question for mothers there is cer- 

 tainly a great difference of opinion ; for example, Dippe 

 Brothers give preference to one containing 176 lbs. 

 sodic nitrate, 350 lbs. guano (4 per cent, nitrogen, 13 

 per cent, phosphoric acid). At Wanzleben and at 

 Grobers (Knauer), they favor green manuring, vetch, 

 peas, etc., which are planted and plowed under, so that 

 the land remains fallow during a considerable period. 

 It is claimed that the weeds contained in the soil are 

 smothered, and there is a very large quantity of nitro- 

 gen absorbed. In combination with the green manur- 

 ing, potassa and phosphates are used in the spring 



