BuBEATJ OP Ageicultubb. 171 



Concerning com and cowpeas on the same soil, tli« 

 report further says: 



"The land was thin upland. A drought of seven weeks obtained 

 when the corn was young. Where the soil contained organic matter, 

 phosphates alone gave good results. Potash alone, or in combination, 

 failed to show any appreciable benefit. Nitrogen (cotton-seed meal) 

 alone gave good results. A mixture of cotton-seed meal and phos- 

 phates gave good results. 



"The fertilizer test with peas was interfered with somewhat by 

 the October storm, but it was apparent that both acid phosphate and 

 crude, finely ground rock Increased the growth of peas in a marked 

 manner — apparently doubling the crop." 



The Experiment Station has never taught and never 

 can teach that the mere use of phosphates is sufficient. 

 It does teach their use as a basis for soil building on 

 soils deficient in phosphorus. Through their use in- 

 creased growth of legumes may be obtained through the 

 proper use of which nitrogen and organic matter 

 (humus) may be restored to the soil. This of course 

 means either the turning under of some of the nitrogen- 

 gathering crops or the feeding of them with a careful 

 saving and return of the manure made from them, both 

 solid and liquid (absorbed in the bedding). In addition, 

 the non-leguminous crops in the rotation must be made 

 to contribute to the organic matter of the soil by return- 

 ing all the residues (stalks, straw, etc.) or the manure 

 made from feeding the crops. Furthermore, cover crops 

 and catch crops are recommended wherever practicable, 

 these to be legumes where possible, and to be turned un- 

 , der as a rule. With this procedure the purchase of pot- 

 ash will not be necessary on most Kentucky soils and 

 phosphorus does become the only element of plant food 

 necessary to purchase for general farm crops. This is 

 certainly teaching that cannot be criticized. Teachings 

 that omit any of the above essentials cannot be laid at the 

 door of the Experiment Station. 



Yet there are soils that need potash. They are ab- 

 normal. Muck and peat soils, some poorly drained soUs, 

 and some sandy soils need potash. If I should find such 

 soUs to need potash I should as freely recommend its use 

 on them as I do phosphates for soils deficient in phos- 

 phorus. If I should find the use of potash to be profit- 

 able on a high potassium soil until organic matter could 

 be restored, I should unhesitatingly recommend its use 



