WHEAT 



257 



relatively strong in phosphorus the latter can oe 

 omitted from the fertilizer mixture. The wheat 

 grower must make a study of the soil and ascer- 

 tain what elements are lacking in the soil and what 

 carriers of the lacking ones are the best for sup- 

 plying the deficiency. 



Just how much fertilizer shall be used to the 

 acre will depend also upon circumstances. In gen- 

 eral, on average lands, from 15 to 20 pounds each 

 of ammonia and potassium and from 25 to 50 

 pounds of phosphorus are desired. These amounts 

 can be obtained by adding from 200 to 400 pounds 

 of a commercial fertilizer containing about 4 per 

 cent ammonia, 12 per cent of available phosphorus 

 and 4 per cent of potassium. Many grades are on 

 the market having analyses very similar to this 

 and ordinarily can be obtained. It is advisable to 

 add a reasonable quantity to the acre. Fertilizers 

 pay best on lands well prepared. This should be more 

 generally recognized than it is. Two methods of 

 applying fertilizers are in vogue: To broadcast 

 just before the seed drill; and in connection with 

 seeding, the fertilizer attachment being attached 

 to the seed drill. The latter method is most com- 

 mon because the expense is less. 



Liming wheat land is good practice done judi- 

 ciously. It helps the land, but if vegetable matter 

 is not added from time to time soil humus will dis- 

 appear and the land will suffer. All the way from 

 500 to 2,000 pounds may be added to the acre. The 

 lime can be added by means of a lime distributer, 

 or it can be thrown out in piles in the field and after 

 slaking be scattered over the field with shovel, 

 giving as even distribution as possible. It is ad- 

 visable to apply the lime some days previous to 



