FEEDING THE PLANT 103 



lizers, in a rotation, a profitable increase in crop, and a 

 constant increase in "condition" of soil. 



FERTILIZERS FOR FIELD CORN 



In view of the character of the crop, and the sea- 

 son of its growth, there is no cereal crop which will 

 utilize to better advantage the coarser yard manure of 

 the farm. The crop is a gross feeder, besides the sea- 

 son of growth and cultivation are favorable for the 

 decomposition of the manure. Too many farmers 

 allow the manure made in winter to lie in the open 

 yard until fall for application to wheat, thus losing 

 much of its value, besides getting no return from it 

 until the next season, when the wheat is sold. It is a 

 good practice for the eastern and middle states, there- 

 fore, to apply manure broadcast in the late fall, winter 

 or early spring, at the rate of from six to eight tons 

 per acre; by this method the soluble portions are 

 well distributed and are absorbed by the soil before 

 plowing. 



If the corn is planted on sod land, then the nitro- 

 gen contained in the manure and in the organic matter 

 in the roots and stubble should be sufficient upon ordi- 

 narily good land to supply all the needed requirements 

 for this element. If the land has been heavily cropped, 

 or the purpose is, as it should be, to obtain a maximum 

 yield, -then the possible deficiency of minerals in the 

 manures should be made good by an application of two 

 hundred and fifty pounds per acre of a mixture made 

 up of: 



MIXTURE NO I 



Ground bone 250 pounds 



Acid phosphate 500 pounds 



Muriate of potash 250 pounds 



In this mixture a part of the phosphoric acid is 

 in a soluble form, and will supply the early needs of 



