The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-31
PETEHaIN On PHOsPHATES.
4 Timely Talk to Farmers.

eri3hed condition Of the farmers is the
Use u too much commercial fertilizer
and tie i1jud;cious application Of the
9ane. For twenty years We have
bought any and every thing that has
been offered tor sale. All that has been
necessary was to put something in
sack or barrel and brand some unusual
Or peculiar name On it. I do not ac-
cuse the manufacturers of fraud, but do
accuse my brother farmers Of being the
biggest setof fools in all the land, and
the writer the king OF fools, or the big
gest fool Of al.
For several years I bought ammo
mated fertilizers at high prices, and
applied in connection with cotton seed
neal, or cotton seed in the natural
state. After spending Thousands of
dollars in this foolish way. I dropped
the ammoniated goods to q great ex-
tent and bought acid phosphate and
aciGuIa,ed rock, and mixed il half acid
ca aciGuiated rock and half cotton seed
meal. Three or four years ago I con-
Guided I had enough sulphurie acid
and phosphate in my land, and began
TO put il less phosphate and CONNER
cial fertilizers, and brought it down to
one hundred pounds with whatever
amount Of meal I used per acre. I am
now satisfied that where lands have
been continuously planted in cotton,
that it is unnecessary to apply COM
mercial fertilizers ofany kind; the land
needs rest from them for at least one
year. Ifyou buy at all, only buy to
mix with meal, where you plant on
lands that were grown in something
besides cotton, and put not over one
hundred pounds to the acre. There are
various reasons for this. By using little
or no commercial Fertilizer the plant
will staff off in the spring a little slow,
will have less fruit in July and stand
the July and August drouth. Take the
lower and middle cotton belts of the
cotton States and we want to make 3
late or August crop. We need but lit
tie if any commercial fertilizer. The
upper or clay belts need little to get a
July and August crop, will say one
pound OF commercial to three of meal
or its equivalent of seed. The clay
lands do not require any kainit or pot
ash.
This is not all theory. I know what
I am talking about. know it from &C.
tual practice. If the farmers of the cot
ton country who buy commercial fer
tilizers will adopt this plan, say use at
least one-third of the amount they
have been in the habit Of using, it will
add many millions to their purses, and
enable them to pay for fertilizers they
have foolishly thrown away. Don't
blame the men who manufacture OF
sell the fertilizers. We have encouraged
them; and the demand is now so great
that we can't be supplied, except at a
price beyond their reach. The high
price will continue. It is impossible to
check it in any way, except by giving
the land rest for say oneyear.
If you make the experiment one year
you will continue it, and prices will fol
many years be in due bonds. Our man
facturers do not claim that the home
demand has increased so much, but To-
reign demand. Just let the foreigners
have it all this year, We will save many
millions. We will have as much OF
more cotton, and pay up back indebt'
edness.
Let the agricultural clubs, the ALI
anceS, and Oranges consider this mat
ter. If there are no societies in your
| neighborhood, call the neighbors to
gether and calmly consider the matter
Ii YOU cannot do this let every farmer
| decide for himself and say will fol
| one year let my land rest from fertili
| zers. 1t will not look so bright for u;
in May and June, but October and No
| vember will show you where the mil
lions have been foolishly spent for cht
! last twenty years.
| have been told Of late that iarMer:
could not buy it; that his only etsane'
was to get it through his or SOME on'
else's merchant. This may bs rrae 4
some extent. OF coarse money enpasl
will buyit, bat We don't ne<I il, Tha
is the subject for us 10 consider, &n6 K
them that have it Keep il. Spin OF
your cotton seed from fifteen 70 invent,
bushels to the acre. Mix the stable ma
nure fine and spread it with the hand
| Make it 80 over large area instead Q
careleSsly throwing il down in pile
from pitchfork. Too many fertilizer
are dangerous. They have never don
the great amount Of good We have in
agined. Good and proper cultivation
pays better than large quantities Of tel
tilzers. There is such \ thing rs to
| much ammonia, and We oftener put to
much than not enough. The phospha,
and kainit, or potash salt, are there t
stay. Our land needs rest from con-
mcrcial fertilizers as much as it doc
rotation. I am almost tempted to sa
| if you take my advice in this matte
and it proves wrong,appoint day mex
fail and hang me.
JAMES A. PETERKIN.
| Fort Motto, January 10.