Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-01-03
Salt, Ashes and Lime for Wheat.

Mr., EDITOR: So many inquil
les come to me about salt, ashes an
lime for wheat, that l am compelle
to answer them through the press
| Wheat is such an important facto
of farmers product that any an
everything should be said and don
to increase this factor. So far a
my experience goes, l shall at al
times take pleasure in answering
any inquiries or aiding the pro
gressive farmer in this or any other
agricultural enterprise.
Our soils are SO various and ID
such state of restitution that it is
impossible to lay down any rule to
govern the application of fertilizers
to all soils. We must always be
governed by locality and the cons
dition of the soil. There are, how
ever, a few leading principles that,
when applied, can not fail to in
crease the value of all soils. The
leading principle is, that whatever a
soil produces becomes its best
fertilizer when properly composted
and decomposed. l am surprised
that men of intelligence don't see
this. AS corn takes from the soil
elements that are of no value to
wheat and wheat takes up elements
no other crop uses, the farmer fails
if he does ava himself of this
second principle. Salt benefits all
soils, 50 do ashes, but lime on some
soils rails to do any perceptible
good.
When salt is applied to land the
soda is absorbed by the soil and the
chlorine passes through, combining
with lime, magnesia and potash.
Salt is found In almost all kinds of
ashes, hence one must infer that it
is good for all soils. Salt in many
localities does no good whatever,
from the fact that it exists in the
soils too abundantly already. Along
The sea costs vegetation is in some |
places entirely destroyed by it.
The effect of salt on small, tender
weeds is to kill them. 1t benefits
pastures in making better
grass and more palatable
God for stock. When applied
IS a top dressing to wheat
n February or March, it strength
ms the straw, makes 1t brighter and
he grain more plump. 1t is GER
alnly preventative of rust to some
xtent. 1t should be applied at the
ate of one to six bushels per acre.
When composted with an equal
quantity of ashes, the effect is much
more satisfactory.
Ashes, to the scientific farmer,
re the most important product he
las, without them analysis would be
They furnish the farm
+ elements he can find no where
lse, and they give him, when prop
rly applied, results equal to any
numerical fertilizer. Lime i i
owerful agent. More an agent to
educe other elements to plant food
Dan it is u fertilizer. 1t should
ever be put into a compost heap.
t should be applied directly to the
md either OH IL green crop or on
ne surface after blowing. 1t re-
uires a good deal Of intelligence to
lake it work well. Too much on
ATTY soils Is an absolute injury. On
eep, rich alluvial soils, too
uch can not be applied. The
seper and richer the soil, the more
me can be used. Lime arrests
of stalk food, and '
,llized the grain food. Asst takes |
Iice as much food to make the
ak as it does to make the grain
lat grows on it, it behooves the {
rmer to reduce the stalk and in i
ease the grain. 1t can be done, n
IS been done and will eventually be f
one all along our rivers where the
yerage yield of corn per acre :
lould be 100 bushels. 5
Salt, ashes and lime properly ap-
led to corn in alluvial soils, will
crease the grain to a surprising
gree. They will also promote
heat, oats, grass, and nearly every :
,getable thatgrows. A little study
your own soils, an experiment .
re and there, year after year, will ,
liable every farmer to increase !
9TH the quality and quantity of :
s crops. A. E. BLUNT.