Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-02-23

ammonia 1t should always, when sown
upon growing crop, be applied during
wet weather, because rs it requires much
water to dissolve it, there will be no per-
cephble improvement If the weather con-
tinues dry. The time of application also
influences its activity. In experiments
made upon clover by German professor,
very different results were obtained upon
the same field The portion undressed
yielded 100 pounds; topped dressed with
plaster on the S0th of March, 1S2 pounds;
topped dressed with plaster on the 18th
of April, 14O pounds; topped dressed
with plaster on the 9th of April, 158
pounds.
1t would seem from this experiment
that the best time to apply it to clover
would be when the leaves are fully grown
and therefore possessing their highest
absorbing capacity.
On tobacco, plaster should be applied
directly to the bud after the plant has
begun to grow. 1t does not seem to
increase the surafce of the leaves, but
gives greater substance and weight to
the plant and makes richer, and there
fore q more valuable article.
1t enters as an ingredient in the COM
position of grasses, turnips, potatoes,
etc, and will add much to their produe-
tivenesH If applied in powdered state as
8 top-dressing, always, if possible, in wet
| weather.
Experiments made in this State on lime
stone soils show no perceptible increase in
crops of grain. 1t may be that in grant,
tic, sandy and other soils than calcareous,
it may show visible effect. The only
experiments that we have any cognizance
of have been made in a limestone
region. We hope experiments will
be made in the various soils in the State
and the results forwarded to us for publ
cation.
In answer to our correspondents sec
ond question we learn by inquiry that the
weight of plaster is 80 pounds per
bushel.
The third question we reserve for q
separate article on green naaruring.
We are not certain that we understand
what our correspondent means by bone
dust. If he means ground bones, we
answer decidedly in the negative. The
ground bones brought on for manure are
the refuse of soap manufactures and all
or nearly all the fertilizing elements have
been distracted by undergoing the pro-
cess of soap making. After that they
are ground up and sold to farmers as
manure. We have bought enough of it
to know that If it could be had for moth
ing, it would not be worth the time and
labor required to put it o n the land.
But if the Stlloerphospate of lime is
meant we answer that it will pay, and
pay handsomely, if good article is OBJ
tanned. If farmers would adopt the
suggestion made by us q week or two
ago and make their own superphophstes
they could always know how to sppor-
ton the quantity. A tablespoonful of
the unsdulterated superphosphase to hill
of corn put in at the time of planting
will in every seasonable year add twenty
bushels to the yield of corn per acre.
Now tablespoonful to the hill will re,
quire barrel to the acre, and barrel
may be had in the market for seven dol
lars Corn therefore at fifty cents per
bushel will make clear profit, less the
cost of application, of three dollars pei
acre, while the increase in the quantity Of
fodder will perhaps add as much more,
to say nothing of the high degree of plea
sure that farmer feels at looking al
thrifty, vigorous and abundant crops.