Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-19
y1isfeIlaneous.
Fertilizers.
SUMNER APPLICATION

zers have been made and used, which are
50 readily soluble in water that it requires
but very short time after being applied.
to change them into plant food. Intelligent
cultivators have commenced the practice
Of forcing the growth Of plants, by apply
ing liberal quantities Of concentrated fer
tiliZers, after the plants are up and begin
to grow to do this to the best advantage,
or at profit, requires some knowledge Of
the particular wants Of the plants that are
TO be forced. and also what elements pre-
dominate in the manure already applied,
so that the summer application shall be
composed. principally. Of that material
which is deficient in the manure already
applied for example. if the crop be pota-
toes, which draw largely on the potash Of
the manure, If the manure is not very
rich in this material, then the summer APP
plication should be Of some concentrated
fertilizer, composed principally OF potash.
But If the manure already applied be rich
in potash, ike wood ashes. then it would
be wasteful TO apply potash, but better
material would be nitrogen and phos-
phoric acid, If the crop be dandelions.
and the manure already applied be COM
posed principally Of phosphates. then
uit--iUg Ot Will Ipttf -
quick growth. but II large quantities Of
good stable manure have been applied TO
then An application Of nitrogen would do
bnt little good consequently would be
Improbable If the crop be fruit or grain
which requires large quantities Of phos-
pilates, then fine ground bone would be
good summer dressing.
Before one begins to use concentrated
fertilizers, for a summer dressing. he
should carefully investigate and make
himself thoroughly acquainted with the
elements which constitute each kind of
manure or fertilizer. He will then be
better able to apply summer fertilizers in
a manner to make the operation protta-
BILE one. but If applied at a guess, the
chances are that by using "A wrong ma
terial. the operation viii be an unproiita-
BILE one.
The three most important materials
which commercial fertilizers contain. are
phosphate. potash and nitrogen. The
phosphate and potash, when soluble IN
water, mingle with the moisture of the
earth. and this moisture is absorbed by the
spongioles of the plant roots. and thus en-
ters into the plant in a liquid state. and
produces plant growth. The nitroGan
readily escapes into the air; Just what
proportion enters into the roots OF plants,
there is difference of opinion; while
careful observation and experiment seem
10 prove that very large proportion en-
ters through the pores OF the leaves, some
insist that il all enters the root; in fact
that nothing whatever enters the leaves :;
il is however. very evident that the air
contains large quantities of nitrogen and
that in some way it finds its way into the
growing every observing person must
have observed that plants IN position
where the air is filled with nitrogen,
make very vigorous growth. We have
seen plum tree the year it was trans
planted. make growth of four feet on a
single shoot. and five and one-halffoet the
next year. yet it was set in a very poor soil.
but il was in n position where the air was
filled with nitrogen. Whether it settled
down and entered the trees by way of the
roots, or entered the leaves it is evident
that its presence in the air was the cause
of a very vigorous growth therefore, if
we wish to force rapid growth. we need
apply nitrogen while the plants are grow
ing that they may take il up at once, es-
pecially if the nitrogen Is in II form to be
set free. by coming in contact with the
moisture ol the earth.
Concentrated fertilizers applied during
the summer season to cultivated land. not
only assist plant growth by IFS direct
action. but if applied rs il should he, near
the surface, il assists the growth of the
plant indirectly, by loosening the soil. \
liberal dressing during the first part of
the summer prevents the top of the ground
from baking. and thus prevents injury from
dry weather. One of the serious oblec-
tons to the old way of blowing in one
half of the manure. and placing the other
half i'm the drill. is that the manure laws
uudisturbed. and not being mixed with
the top of the soil the earth becomes hard
and lumpy. To raise large crops the soil
must be well pulverized; this requires the
manure to be well mixed with the earth
near the surface in fact we believe that
the principal portion ct the manure should
be applied where it will be more thorough
" mixed with the soil every time the crop
is cultivated. Among the crops that re-
ceive the most benefit from summer appli-
cation of fertilizers may be named squash.
cucumber and melon vines; the second
time hoeing is n good time TO apply it.
Soluble phosphate may be applied to
Indian corn the last time hoeing to good
advantage. providing enough has not al
ready been applied; as the corn roots do
not penetrate very deep. If applied to the
surface and cultivated in, the plant roots
will find it.
Land that is strong enough to produce
two crops of grass in one season may be
greatly improved by the application of
some quick acting fertilizer. that is rich
in nitrogen. Immediately after the first
crop is cut; the advantage however de-
ponds very much ON the weather. II very
dry weather il will do but little good.
unless the land is moist. rs well a heavy.
Although il is always desirable to apply
the fertilizer rs soon rs the first crop is
off. il is best to wait until just before a
shower.
The time is rapidly approaching when
farmers will realize that there is Just as
much right and wrong time to apply
fertilizers to the land. as there is right
and wrong time to give food to animals.
and also that il is almost rs important to
feed each crop with fertilizer adapted
to its wants. rs il is to feed each animal
the particular food which its nature re-
ouires. What should we think of farm
er who should feed his hogs on hay. his
cattle on meat. and his horses on swill ::
vet unless he studies the wants of each
crop. and the character of each kind of