4 BULLETIN 442, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
of potash, and 18.75 pounds of phosphoric acid. In the fertilizer 
tests a better growth was secured when the potash was applied in the 
form of the sulphate, and the results were more satisfactory when 
part of the nitrogen was applied in organic form. In the tests which 
have been made a fertilizer having 4 per cent nitrogen, 5 per cent 
potash, and 8 per cent phosphoric acid, applied at the rate of 600 
pounds to the acre, has given the best results with the least cost. On 
soils of higher fertility a smaller quantity could be used. Although 
the use of larger quantities of fertilizers will give a heavier growth, it 
Fig. 3. — A mature clump of lemon grass, with divisions taken from it and trimmed for planting. 
is by no means certain that the additional cost will be met by the 
increase in the crop. 
As soon as the plants have become well established in the field the 
fertilizer should be given as a side application and well worked in at 
the first cultivation. Cultivation should be frequent throughout the 
spring, to conserve the soil moisture, and throughout the summer all 
weeds should be kept down, as a few ill-smelling weeds in the crop 
at harvest time will greatly injure the odor of the oil. After the first 
year, only slight cultivation is needed, since after it is well established 
lemon grass tends to retard weed growth. 
HARVESTING. 
The first cutting should be made four or five months after planting, 
at which time the plants should be from 2\ to 3 feet high and the 
bunches from 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Although the plants will 
