334 



SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



reduces the amount of water necessary to keep the plant in health, 

 Judging by the fact that potash has been found to reduce the 

 amount of water transpired by the leaves of the corn plant. 

 Potash in the fertilizer usually causes the later retension in the 

 autumn of the leaves of the cotton plant (Fig. 14Sj. 



Fio. 14S. — A Cotton Field, showing the Effects of Pot-vsh in 

 Retention op the Leaves. 

 On the riKht, the fertilizer eontained no availalile iiotash ; ou the 

 left, it contained .50 pounds muriate of potash per acre. 



308. Kainit, muriate and sulfate of potash. — In ex- 

 periments in Alal)ama, a pound of potasli in the form of 

 muriate was as effectiA-e in checlving rust as when an equal 

 amount was apphod in the form of kainit. It is sHghtly 

 less convenient to apiily nniriate of potash ; for as this is 

 four times as strong as kainit, it is advisable to use only 



