THE MOISTURE SUPPLY 313 



One hundred twenty -five pounds of muriate of potash 

 should also be applied with the phosphate. Additional amounts of 

 50 to 100 pounds of the potash fertihzer may be applied per acr^ 

 for corn and potatoes, respectively. - 



For more permanent soil improvement rock phosphate (see 

 index) may be used instead of acid phosphate, but not until the 

 soils have been well enriched with organic matter. 



Use of Mixed Fertilizers. — ^Many have found it profitable, 

 in addition to the use of manure and special fertilizers, to use 

 from 125 to 200 pounds of mixed fertiUzers per acre for corn, 

 applied in the hill or drill and about 500 pounds for potatoes. 



Usually, it is advisable, in the spring, to apply a light top- 

 dressing of manure to the rye to increase the yield and especially 

 to benefit the clover seeding. When manure is not available, an 

 application of 400 to 500 pounds of a 2~8~1, or a 4-12-0 mixed 

 fertilizer (NPK) may be substituted. A mixture of 100 pounds 

 of dried blood and 300 pounds of acid phosphate per acre gives 

 good results. The fertihzer should be mixed with the soil through 

 disking or harrowing. Harrowing grain on sand in the spring does 

 not injure the crop, but greatly improves it. 



The Seed Bed. — ^Much care should be given to the preparation 

 of the seed bed. Firmness is desired (see Tillage, in index). This 

 can be accomplished through good plowing, thorough harrowing 

 and by using a corrugated roller or cultipacker (p. 155). The 

 importance of close contact between the soil and the seed (Fig. 21) 

 and, later, between the soil and the young roots should always be 

 kept in mind in preparing a seed bed on sand, and in planting and 

 sowing. The presence of a good supply of organic matter is an 

 important factor in preparing a proper seed bed. 



The Moisture Supply. — The water-holding capacity of sands 

 is low (see index). Moreover, this moisture is easily secured by 

 crops and thus this comparatively small amount of moisture, if 

 not replenished by rains, is soon used up. Crops on sand, therefore, 

 frequently suffer for want of moisture during dry periods. To 

 lessen this injury, moistme conservation and control should be 

 given special attention. Soil mulching is important. Disking 

 and '^ dragging" winter rye in the spring is good practice. Sowing 

 such legumes as soybeans and cowpeas in rows to permit of cultiva- 

 tion is advisable. In case of potatoes, endeavor to grow thrifty 

 vines to shade the ground. When the subsoil is sand, subsoiling 

 or deep spring plowing should never be done. 



