The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-03-07


the phosphate of lime. and - for the muIi-
ate of potash, or u total of Sl1, as the value
of the crop removed when estimated at the
cost of the fertilizers to he returned to the
soil to replace it.
POTATOES AFTER CORN.
The quantities and prices above are esti
mated, much depending on the seasons o
growth and the market prices of the ma
ttriae 1t will be noticed that the uost
costly substance removed by Il corn crop i,
the nitrogen, the grain taking the larsel
share, while the fodder uses larger pro
portion Of potash. AZ clover is a crop thai
derives its nitrogen mostly from the air
through the agency of its leaves and roots
it returns TO the soil, if plowed under, til,
principal substance removed by corn: /;
clover crop being benefited. therefore
more by lime aad potash than by ammoni;
fertile rs, the cost of which is hut LITTLE
compared with the value Of nitrogen. A
Ton Of red clover hay contains about 1t
pounds of nitrogen, and an acre should
produce two tons as an ordinary crop. II
is estimated that the sod and roots contain
fully as much nitrogen as the tops, hence
in blowing under n clover sod there is re-
turned to the soil 100 pounds of nitrogen
per acre. worth SIS, Some of this comes
from the soil ITSELF but it is mostly derived
from the air, the rains and SHOWS bringing
ammonia and nitrogen of the air. If clover
will not grow on the land the COW pea may
be broadcasted and plowed under, to be
followed in the fall with crimson clover
both of which, like clover, are leguminous
plants, which may be plowed under with
benefit.
GROWING a CROP FOR MARKET
Oats should not follow corn, as the COM
position of grain crops is too close for a
proper rotation, and as corn cleans the land
Of weeds u clover crop is better, though
sometimes oats or wheat follow corn, the
clover coming next. Potatoes NAV be
included i'll the rotation, a crop of six tons
removing about 10 pounds of nitrogen and
70 pounds of potash from the soil, being
about the same quantity of nitrogen re-
moved by corn, but twice as much potash
The vines remove about D pounds of nitro
gen and 81 of potash. The phosphorc acid
removed is very small proportionately,
being about b pounds for both tubers and
vines. AS the vines are returned to the
soil in the manure heap, the real loss in
that direction is but very little. TO grow
Il crop of six tons of potatoes, therefore
(about 200 bushels requires about twice
as much ammonia as 80 bushels Of corn and
its fodder, and twice as mucn potash, but
much less phosphate, the cost of which will
be about S21, leaving the vines on the
ground as manure tor next year. Whether
this will pay or not depends upon the
labor, but as improved implements have
greatly cheapened the cost of growing
potatoes they are now produced at a small
y
a crop of 200 bushels Of potatoes the plant
food required would be about 600 pounds
sulphate Of ammonia, $50 pounds muriate
OF potash and 25 pounds phosphate of lime
Those who use phosphates principally for
potatoes, therefore, are not properly apply
ing plant food Oats and peas may be
seeded early and plowed under when the
peas are just forming the pods, to be fol-
lowed by late potatoes. clover, sown in the
spring, on oats, being excellent for the next
crop in rotation. If early potatoes are
grown then crimson clover should follow in
the fall. 1t may be stated that the
estimated proportions given of fertilizers
and plant food are not strictly correct, as
analyses OF crops differ greatly.
II noys IN harrow tho wbaot in tho ,,r;p,