318 FORAGE CROPS 
This application, when used without manure, 
may be 300 to 609 pounds per acre; with manure, 
about 200 to 350 pounds per acre. This should be 
applied previous to seeding and well harrowed in. 
If the stand on young meadows is good, no top- 
dressing is needed the first year, on good lands. 
In spring, after the first year, the meadow should 
be top-dressed with a commercial fertilizer, or 
with finely divided manure early in the season, in 
order to supply the food needed for the rapid 
growth, as well as to encourage the deep rooting of. 
the grasses, and a thickening of the sward. The 
mixtures for spring top-dressing should contain a 
large proportion of nitrate of soda, as this is the 
one form of nitrogen that is soluble and readily 
diffusible in the soil; this will penetrate deeply 
and encourage a deeper rooting of the plant. A 
formula made‘up as follows is one of the best: 
Nitrate of soda... ......-206 500 pounds 
Ground bone. ............ 200 pounds 
Acid phosphate... .......6.. 200 pounds 
Muriate of potash .......... 100 pounds 
The summer or fall applications may contain a 
larger proportion of the minerals, and a formula 
made up of 
Nitrate of soda. . 2. 2... 2.2.2.2 ee 200 pounds 
Ground bone... .. 2.6.20 0% 200 pounds 
Acid phosphate... ......... 500 pounds 
Muriate of potash .........2.. 100 pounds 
