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 fertiUzer. The iwtrogen 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 fertihzer 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 apphcations 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 appUcation. 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 apphed (except in small amoimts), before 

 the crop has become well established, and can therefore 

 utiUze 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 appK- 

 cation prevents it from exercising this function. 



276. Method of applying fertilizers. — Various meth- 

 ods are employed in applying fertiUzers for corn. When 

 heavy applications are to be made, broadcasting the 

 fertihzer on the land after plowing and incorporating 

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

 phcations up to 300 pounds an acre are usually drilled in 

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

 Uzer distributor is preferable. A combination method 



