FERTILIZING MEADOWS 317 
such summer weeds as vrab-yrass. Unless too 
large growth is made the first fall, it should not be 
removed nor pastured, but allowed to remain on 
the land. If heavy growth is made, it is better to 
mow, rather than to pasture it off before winter. 
Manures and fertilizers 
In seeding down meadows for permanent mow- 
ing, it is very important that the land, even 
though naturally fertile, be well supplied with 
available plant-food. This may be either barnyard 
manure or commercial fertilizer; in the absence 
of barnyard manure, commercial fertilizers can be 
depended on exclusively. In the use of barnyard 
manure, the quantity applied should range from 
six to eight tons per acre, preferably in fine 
condition, distributed evenly, and thoroughly 
cultivated into the surface soil. This should be 
supplemented at time of seeding by a fertilizer 
mixture made up largely of phosphates and potash 
salts, as the manure will supply an abundance of 
nitrogen to give the plant a start and insure its 
growth the first season. A good formula or 
mixture for application at time of seeding is the 
following: 
Nitrate of soda... 1... 2 ee eee 50 pounds 
Ground tankage or bone ....... 200 pounds 
Acid phosphate ..........-. 600 pounds 
Muriate of potash .......... 150 pounds 
