The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-15
Some of the Teachings OF
Experience in Agriculture.

Experience in Agriculture.
DR.. f. NJ. Pendleton, Professor
of Agriculture in the Georgia State
Agricultural College, at the close
of an elaborate report on the results
Of his experiments, presents the fol
lowing summary. We reprint it
here as foou for thought, and as
furnishing a series of points OF de-
parture for further experiments,
rather than as an epltome of agrl-
cultural science. Let all doubtful
statements be put to tie testof fur
Their experiments.
/. That there is a great waste of
ammonia when Peruvian guano Is
used in its concentrated form; it
should be mixed with super phos-
phate, alkaline salts, &c.
:. That no combination of salts
leaving out soluble phosphorlc acid,
will pay on III worn soils.
>. That taken separately none OF
the salts sold as fertilizers TO make
home compounds will pay. Their
virtues, if any, must be in cheml-
cal action upon each other, and the
substances with which they are
composted.
4. That ashes treated with sui
phuric acid will greatly improve
their fertilizing qualities.
). That two hundred pounds OF
good ammoniated super-phosphate
Is about the quantity to be used on
an acre of cotton.
6. That a soil Astounding in veg
etable matter will pay a much bet
ter per cent. with commercial fer
tilizers, than one having but little
O. this substance.
Z. That a large amount of fertil-
izers (say half ton per acre. will not
pay with low priced cotton.
8. That with good cultivation,
good fertilizers will pay, even at
the lowest rates of cotton: but with
bad cultivation they will hardly
pay at any price.
8. That while potash is more in
dispensable to plant life than soda,
the latter may replace the former
under certain circumstances.
10. That the bi-phosphate o.
lime, being less soluble in cold wa
ter, is not so efficient as the bi-phos
phate as a fertilizer.
IL. That stable manure, either
fresh OF rotted, applied with a higl
graded super-phosphate, makes
very efficient fertilizer for cotton.
II. That cotton seed applied
with the germ killed Cor green, i
put in deep, in conjunction will
a good super phosphate, makes
powerful fertilizer.
13. That lime should never b
used in conjunction with a super
phosphate, and the application {
super-phosphates to calcereous soil
is of doubtful utility.
II. Fertilizers applied durin
the growth of the crop; to keep II
a supply of nutrition to the roo
lets, will not pay under ordinm
circumstances.
Is. That ammonia is the mo:
active and efficient form of Mir,
gen, when applied as a fertilize
and that organic nitrogen in cel
tain albuminoids is more effectu.
than the n~itrates.
10. That the value of nitrogt
and phosphoric acid to a farmer d
ponds on their forms and combin
tions, not their commercial valu
which is rated according to the Ia
of supply and demand.
II. That the application Of sol
BILE mlnures in a liquid form is be
ter and more efficient than VIII
applied in the dry state.
is. That lime will pay on SO
Astounding in organic matter;
other soils its application is
doubtful utility.
10. That sub-soils do not germ
nate seeds or grow plants, like 81
face soils.
20. That early planted colt
will not produce as much as til
planted later, when the ground b
come warm, and the plant is n
retarded, but grows off vigorous
and healthily.