FEEDING THE PLANT 105 



MIXTURE NO 2 



Cottonseed meal, or dried ground fish 200 pounds 



Acid phosphate 600 pounds 



Muriate of potash 200 pounds 



An application of from three hundred to five hun- 

 dred pounds per acre of this mixture would be sufficient 

 under average conditions. In the more northern re- 

 gions, where the season is shorter, larger applications, 

 and in the more southern sections, where the season is 

 longer, small quantities of the fertilizer mixture would 

 answer where the physical conditions of soil are good. 



It must be remembered that the better the physical 

 and mechanical character of the soil, the greater will 

 be the absorption by the plant per unit of food applied. 

 That is, a better distribution of the fertilizer would 

 occur, and the agencies which assist in solution would 

 on such soils have a better opportunity for action. 



Moderate Quantities Often Sufficient — Large 

 quantities of fertilizer are not recommended for corn 

 under average conditions ; an application of a medium 

 amount would be more likely to result in a profit. 

 Where farm manure is not available, and entire depend- 

 ence is placed upon purchased supplies, or where raw 

 ground instead of sod is used, mixtures containing 

 larger proportions of nitrogen and heavier applications 

 are required. A brand containing nitrogen four per 

 cent, phosphoric acid (available) eight per cent, and 

 potash eight per cent, applied at the rate of five hundred 

 pounds per acre, should supply the needed constitu- 

 ents in good forms and proportions. Part of this ap- 

 plication may be made broadcast and harrowed in, the 

 remainder, say one-half, applied in the drill at time 

 of planting. 



It is a good plan to apply the materials broadcast 

 wherever possible, and in lieu of the recommendations 

 made, three hundred and fifty pounds per acre of mix- 



