Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-04-13

the evening VIII ne gwen tne luth |
lecture of the Pilgrims Progress
series, "Doubting Castle" which
was not given last Sabbath owing to
inclement weather.
Is Salt as a Fertilizer a Humbug?
EDS. TRIBuNE:-W herever any
class of men discover that they lack
something that is of great import
ance to success in their undertakings,
it is not long before some one will
endeavor to persuade them that they
have the very article they need. In
looking over the crops that are
grown in this vicinity, we often no
ticc that n large portion of the small
grain is rusted, straw.broken, or
crinkled down, and that oft-times
before it is ripe. We ask ourselves
what is the cause? and are at loss
for an answer, unless it is that that
element of the soil which produces
the enamel or glazing on the straw
is exhausted. Ii seems that some
think otherwise, for on every hand
we see advertised, "Russian White
Oates, Rast Proof," which would
lead us to believe that the trouble is
with the oat. And, again, in war;
ious places circulars describing i'll
glowing terms the good effects fol-
lowing the use OF agricultural salt
on the land. Both Of these articles
may have some merit, but farmers
are apt to go slow. They have bad
considerable experience with light
ning-rod men, fruit-trec peddlers
and machine agents, and often have
paid dearly for it. But that the soil
lacks something to give TO the crop
that straw-stiifening and yielding
quality, is apparent to every thought
full farmer. Some may say that
"your land is too poor" yet we no.
tice that land which will yield 65 TO
rs bushels of corn TO the acre will,
when put into oats the next season,
produce a large quantity of rusty
straw with very moderate amount
of light oats, (unless it is heavy
clay; or if put into spring wheat,
will either rust out or be eaten out
by the chinch bugs.
According to these circulars all
we have to do is SOW salt on our
crops, and these troubles are all
avoided. Some increased their crops
40 per cent, others one.third. Some
wheat made & bushels more to the
acre, and of a far superior quality.
In fact the yield and quality was in
creased in every case; aud it is even
recommended as a specific for the
determination Of the chlncn bug,
army worm, and all insect life in the
soil. This may be Dragged up only
to sell; but if it is true, and will do
what is claimed for it, il is worth
more to the farmers of Wisconsin
than anything ever invented. He
can SOW both wheat and oats
and when harvest time comes, in
stead Of having to cut it al in two
or three days to save it from the
rust, chinch bug, army worm or from
straw.breaking, it will ripen slowly,
the grain will fill out plump and
solid, and with an increased yield
bis pocket-book will be served like
wise.
But doubts begin to enter my |
mind and ! fear that this also may
be humbug. Small farmers with
little means cannot afford TO expert
nient and should let it alone; and
for that reason | would suggest that
some of our farmers with extra
means test this thing accurately and
give it lis just dues, (no more nor
40 less and report it for the bene-
it of the TRIBUNE readers. Should
/ prove to be of value j. will be a