The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-01-08
Plant Fertilization.

LIST. by the analysis OF the plants
themselves, the chemist learns what
they contain, and in what ratio the
different elements enter into their
composition.
ID. BY experiments in growing
plants under circumstances in which
all the conditions of growth are
known, and in which the effect of diff
ferent elements OF plant food can be
definitely ascertained. Indeed, plant
analysis, soil analysis and experiment,
are all employed in conjunction, to
ascertain the needs Of different
plants.
Seeds are planted in soils of known
composition, to which different ele,
ments of plant food, in various quaint
ties and ratios, are added, and the re-
suits compared.
Science is thus enabled to know,
not only what kinds OF food are re-
quired for different agricultural plants,
but the proportions in which they
unite in each.
BY reference to the Tables in the
Appendix, it will be seen that in the
ash of most of our cultivated plants,
potash and phosphoric acid play a
conspicuous part.
Not only do these enter largely
into the ash of these plants, but it is
well established fact that they are
earlier exhausted from the soil than
any other mineral elements, and hence
must be supplied artifieially by the
farmer.
Thsse. together with nitrogen, are
the principal constituents necessary
to be artifcially supplied on most
soils, though soda and lime are often
applied with satisfactory results.
AS shown by the Tables, tobacco
is a large consumer of all Of the prin-
cipal elements of mineral plant-tood,
and is, consequently. the most ex-
hausting crop grown in the South.
While the analysis of plants indicates
very accurately the kind and per cent.
Of the constituents which enter into
the organism, knowledge of the
character OF the soil, and feeding ca
pacity OF the plants, is necessary TO de-
termlne to what extent these consti-
tuents should be artifcially applied.
In plant fertilization, the farmer
aims. to supply each crop with just
those constituents i'll kind and guam
tity which: are, supposed TO be neces-
sary to the production Of the maxi
mum crop. These constituents are
varied in kind, quantity and ratio, tc
suit the requirements of different
plants, and also are modified by cir.
cumstances Of soil, temperature and
supply of moisture.
To Illustrate: the tobacco planter
requires fertilizer richer in potash
than in phosphoric acid, with liberal
percentage of ammonia, lime, magne
STA, chlorine, and ssoda, unless these
ingredients, already exist in album
dance in the soil. asThe cotton planter
requires more phosphoric acid than
potash, which, together with ammonia
are the principal ingredients Of the
fertilizers usually applied to cotton.
Plant fertilization is generally
practiced in Georgia, and in all other
states where land is cheap, and large
surface cultivated. 1t is a temporary
resort for Immediate results; and
though securing profitable crops, sell
dom permanently improves the quail
tvof The sell, unless combined with ju-
dicious ! and systematic rotation Of
crops, involving both protection from
Summer suns, and a return to the soil
of large part of the vegetable mat
ter produced. 1t is the most econom-
ical method of fertilization, where i'm
mediate returns are sought, since the
plant-food is applied in such mechan-
ical and chemical condition, and in
such proximity TO the roofs of tae
plant, as to be promptly available,
and tbus returning principal and H.
terest in the first crop, under favor
able meteorological conditions both
as to temperature aud moisture. In
plant fertilization the manure is APP
Piled III the hill or drill, the method
usually employed i'll Georgia, SO that
the first roots put forth reach the ma
nurt, and thus give the plant an
early, vigorous start. This effect has
been particularly marked in north
Georgia, in pushing forward the cot
ton plant and Fastening its maturity
in advance of early irosts. Indeed,
this system of plant fertilization has
extended the area of profitable cot.
ton culture about fifty miles north OF
the original limit, since It's effect is
to practically lengthen the season of
Growth about one month, by causing