Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-04-09
The Use OF Fertilizers.

From recent issue OF the american Ctltiudtor
we copy the following: Editor Of the american
Cultfydtor The time is now at hand when com
mercial fertilizers will be used to a considerable
extent, and as am receiving letters from differ
emit parts Of the country. asking my experience in
their use, have thought II advisable to devote
an article to that subject so that when inquiries
are made can refer them to The american Cut-
tirdtor for reply.
have tried experiments with various CONNER
cial fertilizers during the last ten years. in con-
nection with my efforts to restore fertility TO a
WORKOUT soil, and in my experience and observa-
ton have found that Of all the wants OF the soil
the greatest Is that Of phosphate Of lime In fact,
1t was the loss Of this indispensable ingredient
from the SOIL and the constant weakening Of the
bones Of milch cows, which first called the atten-
ton Of chemists to the analysis of soils and milk,
in order to find remedy for what was then known
as bone all The remedy was "phosphate
Of lime"
A knowledge OF these facts led me to expert
ment on my own farm with numerous fertilizers,
and have found the best returns in the use Of
phosphate Of lime, and this have always bought,
although the question is frequently asked: Why
do You not make your own? To which reply
For the same reason that do not spin and weave
my own cotton or wooden cloth-because they can
be made cheaper in the factories, and the manu-
facturers OF superphosphate mako and sell
their products to me cheaper than can make
them by myself. They can grind bone better
and cheaper than can; they can buy bone and
sulphuric acid cheaper than can, and, in fact,
some Of them manufacture their own acid. They
have the best of machinery, while have none at
ALL Hence, for these varied reasons always buy
what want to use. ! have no doubt there are
great many poor and spurious compounds offered
for sale, which can only be detected by the chem
list before using, and by the farmer after apply
ing them.
My first experience with superphosphate was
on barren, steep hillside which | could not
pow, and which was gravelly and stony, but
wanted 1t for pasture. Ten years ago this month
bought ton Of Bradley's superphosphate and
applied large portion OF 1t to this hillside The
result was the grass came in abundantly, and,
though the soil is very thin and soon shows the
effect OF a drought yet as soon as a good shower
Of rain comes that pasture is again bright and
fresh and green, which is not the case with any
other pasture round these parts. When once my
neighbors' pastures dry up the grass starts no
more that year. Again. the effect Of that coating
of Bradley's superphosphate was as visible last
Fall as 1t was the first year applied it, showing
that, unlike many other special fertilizers, this
phosphate is lasting one.
have used the same article on potatoes with
good success, and also on fodder corn, and have
always noticed that where use 1t in the hill for
potatoes, have smooth tubers and greater
growth In nv oninion II also drivea ayav tho
worms. Even with plenty OF barnyard manure
think it profitable to use superphosphate in the
hill for both corn and potatoes for 1t is soluble
and ready food for the young rootlets before they
can get hold of the green manure which must go
through the process of decomposition before it be-
comes available plant food
The phosphate will always show itself in the
rich green of the corn and potatoes as soon as
they come out of the ground while we not I'M
frequently see them both sickly and yellow for
lack of this food so necessary at the start year
or two since saw superphosphate recommended
as protection from the currant worm. Iapplied
it to my bushes with a good degree OF success,
although cannot say they entirely disappeared
The year following | omitted it, and the old
enemy was back upon me in full force; this year
shall apply it again, spreading it around the
roots and forking it in at all events 1t helps the
bushes and the fruit. In justice to the Bradley
Fertilizer Company, | would say | have never
failed Of success in the use of their superphos-
phate, and only regret that cannot say the same
of others which have tried. However, | do not
wish to make any invidious comparisons.
THos. WHITAKER
Hillside Farm, Needham, Mass, March 30, 1879