1244 Tuer Vecerasie Inpustry 1n New York STATE 
at the bottom of the ditches, are most favorable for agricultural 
purposes. Underdrains of tile or board boxes may be used in those 
areas where the water-table is permanently maintained at the level 
of the base of the drain. This prevents the excessive and unequal 
shrinkage that is likely to throw the drain out of line. Open 
ditches are the safer form of drainage and should always be used 
at the beginning of operation. In a few places in the state under 
conditions mentioned above, tile drains are operating successfully 
in muck soil. Of course if the muck is sufficiently shallow so that 
the tile can rest on the solid material below the muck, the use of 
underdrains is much preferred to open ditches that seriously inter- 
fere with tillage operations. In other cases irrigation in some way 
may be very desirable to secure full crop yields. In some cases it 
is possible to utilize spring water in connection with open and 
underdrains as a means of sub-irrigation. 
2. Applications of lime in the form of caustic lime are fre- 
quently beneficial. The decay of organic matter produces an acid 
condition which tends to hinder further decay. Lime not only 
promotes decomposition but aids in chemical changes of the mate- 
rial that liberates plantfood. One or two tons per acre should be 
used. Many of the areas in the western part of the state that are 
associated with marl deposits near the surface probably would not 
be benefited by applications of lime. 
3. A light application of well-rotted stable manure or of rich 
garden soil serves as an inoculation to promote decomposition. 
4. Thorough tillage loosens up the soil and exposes it to aeration 
and promotes decomposition. Since the material is inclined to 
be loose, plowing in the fall is preferred where there are no dan- 
gers from serious washing. The winter saturation aids in com- 
pacting the material. The tillage operations should be aimed to 
compact the soil which improves its moisture relations. 
5. Commercial fertilizers should be rich in potash and should 
contain a moderate amount of phosphoric acid and nitrogen. The 
proportion of these will vary considerably with the deposit and the 
crop. Perhaps the best standard fertilizer in the early stages of 
cultivation of a muck area should contain from 2 to 3 per cent. of 
nitrogen, from 4 to 6 per cent. of phosphoric acid in the form of 
acid phosphate, and from 12 to 20 per cent. of potash. 
