The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-19

Chicago Times.
The Introduction of the use of gypsum in
agriculture has been somewhat slow. The
difficulty of transportation for a long time
prevented its general employment. The first
supplies came from Europe. 1t was next
obtained from New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia, where there were large deposits of it.
and where the farmers commenced to use it
at an early day. 1t was discovered in central
New York as settlements extended westward
and was ground and used by farmers in the
vicinity. 1t was afterward discovered and
used by farmers in Ohio, Michigan, Iowa and
Kansas. 1t is astonishing, however to notice
that there are entire States in which this
substance has scarcely been used by farm
ers. In Michigan and Wisconsin it is
generally used by farmers in some portions
of the States, but AS generally neglected by
farmers IN other portions of them. Many
farmers read OF the advantages of using gyp-
sum, and resolve at no distant day to test its
value on their land. But they put off the
time of trial indefinitely. The beneficial re-
suits Of using gypsum are not as certain
in the case Of using stable manure or animal
fertilizers. 1t seldom produces good results
when applied to land that is permanently
moist, or to that which is well supplied with
lime In some extensive localities its appli-
cation has not been known to increase the
growth of any kind of vegetation. In
others, where the general appearance
of the land is similar, very excellent
results have followed its application and its
employment has become general. No rules
can be laid down that will serve as a guide in
deciding whether land-plaster will be bene-
fetal to soil in a region where it has never
been employed. The question must be de-
cided by experiment The cost however, of
trying the experiment is very small. A
single barrel of material is sufficient to make
a commencing test of its merits.
In order to make convincing and accurate
tests the plaster should be applied to por-
tons of land devoted to the production
of certain crops and omitted on
others On cultivated or hoed crops, as
corn potatoes and turnips, it can be
applied on alternate rows. On land in
grain, grass. and clover it can be sown on
strips so many feet or rods wide and omitted
on corresponding strips. By adopting this
course the condition of the crops can be
noted during the entire growing season. At
harvest time the yield of each part of the
field or of certain rows or strips can be
weighed or measured. No persons who nave
used plaster extensively advocate using more
than 200 pounds to the acre, and many recon-
mend only half that amount. For grass and
clover the custom Is general Of sowing the
plaster broadcast on the growing plants after
the first leaves appear in the spring. Red
clover appears to be most benefited by the
application of plaster. Many state that they
have increased the yield a ton to the
acre by the use of 100 pounds OF plaster APP
piled in the spring when the first leaves are
nearly full grown. 1t should be sown when
there is no wind, and it is advisable to SOW
it when the leaves are wet with rain or dew
Many apply it to grain in the same manner,
but others drill it in with the seed. For
corn and potatoes most persons place a
small quantity around the plants when they
are about three inches high. A few, how
ever, put it in the hill with the seed Agri-
cultural chemists do not agree about how
plaster acts to increase the growth of vegeta-
ton. Farmers have no occasion to distress
themselves about the controversies of chem
lists, if they are certain that the material is
hnr ,nGcinl n tharl