GROUP OF LOAMS AND FINE SANDY LOAMS . 
27 
nitrogen and potash which he does not need, but he is com¬ 
pelled to pay a considerably higher price for the phosphate he 
gets than is the case when he buys a fertilizer containing phos¬ 
phate only. Experiments on this soil at Ashland showed a large 
increase through the use of phosphate fertilizer, in addition to 
manure. The following table gives the results of some of these 
experiments. ^ g 
Crop 
Ten tons manure only 
Ten tons manure and 
1,000 lbs. rock 
phosphate 
Percent of increase 
Potatoes_ 
87 bu. per A. 
128 bu. 
47 
Rutabagas- 
108 bu. per A. 
137 bu. 
27 
Com_ 
30.4 bu. per A. 
36.8 bu. 
21 
Clover hay_ 
2,223 pounds 
3»177 pounds 
43 
Clover seed_ 
217.5 pounds 
336.7 pounds 
47 
The importance of having sufficient supplies of this element 
is made still greater by the relatively poor drainage which the 
Superior clay loam has and its consequent tendency to be cold 
so that crops are slow in maturing. The element phosphorus is 
particularly helpful in hastening the maturity of crops and 
the formation of seed. 
Phosphorus may also be supplied as acid phosphate in which 
form it is immediately available to plants. In the form of rock 
phosphate the phosphorus becomes available slowly. 
Where the surface of the heavy soil is level, as is frequently 
the case, the question of drainage is one of importance. Over 
practically all such level areas tile drains could be installed to 
advantage. Thorough drainage will make these soils warm up 
earlier in the spring, insure better tilth and increase yields. 
