Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-10
Experiment as to Fertilizers for
Corn,

Cor. Chronicle and ConstitItttonGliSt
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, DEPART
MENT OF AGRICULTURE, March 1, 1882
In my address to the Agricultural Con-
ventlon at Augusta, on the 10Th ult., l
invited the cooperation of farmers in an
experiment l propose to make this year
as to the utility or the reverse of ammo
mated fertilizers for corn. My attention
was directed to this important question
by series of experiments conducted
under the direction of Prof. Atwater. of
Connecticut, in the report of which he
says: 'PhOsphOric acid took the leading
place often, potash occasionally. and
nitrogen very rarely" In thirty out of
one hundred and fifty trials. nitrogen
was found to increase the crop enough
to pay its cost, the pecuniary loss rising
and falling with the amount of nitrogen
used. If these experiments, extending
over three years, with uniform results.
demonstrate a truth, namely, that corn
gathers its supply of nitrogen from natu-
raj sources, and is not aided by nitrogen
Gus fertilizers, it is a very important
truth for our farmers, since nitrogen is
the most costly ingredient in all the am.
moniated commercial fertilizers. But we
must investigate it for ourselves, and
find whether in our soil and climate like
results will be reached.
propose to make experiments pre-
clsely identical with those of Professor
Atwater, with view to find-First How
does corn succeed with the mineral
fertilizers, superphosphate and potash;
second, how does it respond to NITROGEN.
when added in different forms and
amounts to the mineral fertilizers. and.
third, what inferences may oe drawn as
to the feeding capacities of the corn
plants, their power TO gather their food
from soil and air, and the effects of differ
ent materials upon their growth. espe-
clal reference being made to the nitrogen
supply. Should we, as has been the case
with those of Professor Atwater. find
that our experiments warrant the infer
ence that for corn, nitrogen fertilizers.
in any considerable quantity, would be
rarely profitable" we shall have estab-
lished very important fact Individual
experiments are of little value, except as
suggestions. They must be repeated for
number of successive years, under
uniform circumstances and with uniform
results, before they can be said to estab-
lish principle But if the same ex.,eri-
ment be faithfully made by a nrmher of
persons in different localities. the work
can be greatly facilitated.
To those who will ala me in the ex-
pertinent, I would give the following di.
rections for considering it.:
First. Select an acre Of level land as
nearly uniform in quality as possible.
Divide into twenty equal parts, and let
the plats be as long as practicable Mark
each plat by strong stakes, numbered 1.
2, B, ETC., corresponding with the num-
Der of fertilizers "worn out" land-if il
be uniformly worn QUITS preferable.
Leave an unmanured strip, 1870 acre. at
each of the long sides of the experiment
acre, with space of three feet between
it and the manured plat next to it. in
order to show the capacity of the natural
soil. a piece of land, 100 square rods,
10 by 10 rods, will be good shape. This
soil will give 20 plats, each ] rod by 16
rods, equal to s spare rods-1-20 acre.
Second. Apply the fertilizers in the
hill or broadcast as may be preferred.
taking care to apply them evenly. and
to mix them thoroughly with the soil.
If they are well mixed with three or four
times their bulk OF good earth before
using, they can be more easily dis
tributed. L is of the last Importance
that they be applied evenly, confined
each to its proper plat. and thoroughly
Incorporated with the soil. Let not the
seed cone in close contact with the fer
tilizer. Apply the fertilizer several days
before planting,
Third. The following are the fertil-
izers and the quantity of each to be ap-
piled: