438 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



nitrogen the peanuts produce vines at the expense of 

 nuts. 



A fertiUzer for peanuts appUcable to a large percentage 

 of the sandy and loamy soils of the South is 250 pounds of 

 acid phosphate and 50 pounds of muriate of potash to the 

 acre. 



Where the land will already produce sufficient vines for 

 a good crop, the North Carolina Department of Agricul- 

 ture recommends the use of 400 ,to 500 pounds to the acre 

 of a fertilizer consisting of one-third kainit and two-thirds 

 14 per cent acid phosphate. This mixture would contain 

 9.3 per cent of available phosphoric acid and 4 per cent of 

 potash. The fertilizer is usually applied in the drill either 

 before or at the time the crop is planted. 



It is the custom in some sections of the South, partic- 

 ularly in Virginia, to distribute calcium sulfate on the 

 rows after the plants have rqade considerable growth. 

 This often results in an increased yield of nuts, due to 

 the stimulating effect of the calcium sulfate. Unless this 

 practice is supplemented by the use of phosphatic and 

 potassic fertilizers, it will ultimately result in the im- 

 poverishment of the soil, especially as regards the phos- 

 phoric acid and potash. 



544. The use of stable manure. — Fresh manure 

 should not be used on the land immediately before the 

 planting of the peanuts. It results in the abnormal devel- 

 opment of the tops and the production of a large percentage 

 of unfilled pods. Large nvmibers of weed seeds are also 

 added. The best practice is to apply the manure to the 

 crop grown the previous season, or light appUcations of 

 well-rotted manure may be applied to the land in the fall 

 previously to planting the peanuts. It should be imme- 

 diately plowed under. 



