16 Teuok Growing in the South. 



monia is largely from organic sources, the fertilizer must 

 be applied about two weeks in advance of planting or plant 

 setting ; and then should be well stirred before planting is 

 done. If, however, the percentage of organic matter, is 

 small, say one or two per cent, of ammonia derived from 

 organic matter, fertilizer can be applied at the time of 

 planting, provided not more than 800 pounds per acre be 

 used, but it should be well stirred with the soil. Plants are 

 often killed or nearly so by injudicious fertilizing. In all 

 cases where plants or seeds are put in the furrow and fertil- 

 izing is done at planting time, a small ridge should be 

 thrown up, with a double shovel ; the fertilizer thrown upon 

 the ridge ; and the ridge opened with a bull tongue. This 

 prevents the fertilizer from coming in direct contact with 

 the roots of plants or seeds, and enables them to start off 

 before being affected by the fertilizer. If the plants or 

 seeds are put upon a ridge, mix the fertilizer thoroughly 

 with the soil before planting. A good all-round fertilizer 

 should analyze about 5 per cent, ammonia, 6 per cent, 

 available phosphoric acid, and 5 per cent, potash. Some 

 crops require a little more potash. Potatoes should have 

 about 8 per cent, potash. In case of excessive rains, it is 

 advisable to use a little nitrate of soda scattered broadcast 

 over the groimd. One to two hundred pounds per acre 

 will be sufficient for most crops. The additional use of ni- 

 trate of soda is advisable on crops requiring luxuriant 

 growth of foliage such as cabbage, lettuce, beets, celery, 

 etc., and should be applied at intervals of about ten days 

 or two weeks. It is unnecessary to plow in soda as the 

 dew will dissolve it, and nothing is lost by evaporation. 

 For all crops requiring more than 90 days to mature, two 



