Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-16

good and much more permanent results with
finely ground bones or mineral phosphates
as with the so-oalled soluble" phosphates
now in such general use at high prices for
fertilizing purposes. We were gradually
led to this opinion by the results of our own
experience, but hesitated to make 1t public
in face Of the contrary view, supported by
chemists, until we found that some of the
chemists themselves were beginning to at
tend to the statements Of practical farmers
in regard to the matter. Quite number OF
English and Scotch farmers, led by expe-
riences like our own, had returned to the use
of fine ground but manufactured bone
and phosphate rock, when Prof. Tanner OF
England began to examine into it. lie soon
published an opinion to the effect that a
highly acid, or soluble" phosphate was not
only no better, but actually not as good a
fertilizer, as ground bone, or mineral phos-
phate, when the latter was thoroughly
floured. When we consider that we can
get, for the same money, from two to four
times as much phosphoric acid in unmanu-
featured as in manufactured phosphates, we
can easily see how important this view of
the question becomes 10 every man who
farms for profit.
We are just in receipt Of the following
note from Mr.. A. II. Ward of Bridgewater,
Mass, in relation to this subject;
Dear Sir;-f send you portion Of the Field
Farm and Garden, published in England, which
records some experiments with SOLUBLE" and
" insoluble" phosphates thinking you might like
to see results confirming the position you have so
ably advocated, and that 1t may induce you to
add line upon line and precept upon precept for
the advantage OF our farmers particularly in New
England, and enable them to produce remunerat-
ing crops, thus checking the emigration of our
young men from our farms.
The article referred to by Mr.. Ward is
quite long one, showing a series of tests
chiefly upon turnips, "a crop specially ben
Gifted by phosphate manures), of both the
acid and natural phosphates. These tests
show that finely ground mineral phosphate,
costing but little more than half the price Of
the manufactured acid phosphate, gave bet
ter crops. This is quite in accordance with
the statements of Professor Tanner, as copied
last year by us. lie, however, rather ad
vised mixing some acid phosphate with the
manufactured, holding to the idea that thus
phosphoric acid would be ready at once in a
soluble form for the early growth of the crop
The fact seems to be, however, that finely
ground, manufactured phosphate, either
from bone or rock, will give the crop all it
needs of that kind of food from the start.
In connection with these experiments 9th.
, ers were tried, to see whether the turnip
crop was benefited by adding potash fer
tilizer and nitrogenous fertilizer to the
phosphate. In these trials it was found
that both potash and nitrogen helped the
turnip crop, especially on light soil. This
agrees also with our experience. Turnips
want a rich soil but, like potatoes, a better
and smoother crop is got with chemical than
with animal fertilizers. We get our best
and finest crops of turnips on our old straw
| berry beds, which we turn under after pick
ing time (about July 7th) and SOW or SET
out the turnips with only a light dressing Of
| fine bone and ashes. If we get timely rains
at that time we are sure of large yield Of
fine turnips in October. The land is al
ways well enriched for the strawberries
After turning them in, the ground is very
thoroughly narrowed, so as to get a fine and
well-settled seed-bed. If planted instead oi
seeded. remove all but the youngest leai
from the plant before setting.