300 



THE MANAGEMENT OF MARSH LANDS 



and acid phosphate is used. In a six-year test on a peat marsh in 

 Wisconsin^ an annual application of 125 pounds of a mixture of 

 muriate of potash and acid phosphate, mixed in equal proportions, 

 and applied in the drill for corn gave better average results than 

 the use of a mixture of 400 pounds of muriate of potash and 600 

 pounds of acid phosphate applied once in the first three-year 

 period of the experiment, and 200 pounds of each of the two 

 fertihzers applied once in the second three-year period. 



The favorable results secured in applying fertilizers in the drill 

 through the use of fertilizer attachments have led many truck 



Fig. 200. — Rock phosphate prevented lodging of oats on this peat (1918). To right, 

 1000 pounds rock phosphate and 200 pounds potash applied per acre in 1913. To left, 

 200 pounds potash and 400 pounds acid phosphate applied per acre (1913). 



growers on marsh lands to make a liberal application of fertilizer 

 broadcast (either manure or commercial fertilizers) and to follow 

 with an application of about 132 pounds of a complete fertihzer 

 in the drill, especially for crops like the sugar beet and cabbage. 



Manure on marsh lands may give good results. Many growers 

 prefer manure to commercial fertilizers for truck crops. For 

 general crops like corn and grains, commercial fertilizers are much 

 more economical (Fig. 132). When manure is not plentiful its 

 application to upland soils is preferable and more profitable. If, 

 on the other hand, manure is plentiful and the uplands have all 



2 Peat is well decomposed, averages five feet deep and is thoroughly 

 drained. Received manure treatment the year before the test began. Corn 

 was grown each year. 



