Woodville Republican., 1889-11-23
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
using Fertnlners.


The Importance of this subject was
brought to mind in a way long to be re-
membered, by the statement Of Prof
Scovell, that the probable purchase Of
fertilizers by Kentucky farmers amounts
to 100000 a year, and that probably
three-fourths Of the amount Is wasted.
He explained that by wasted he meant
that the farmers, as a mass, do not know
what they need, and do not care what
they get One may need nitrogen and
he buys potashi another may need phos-
phate and he buys ammonia, and still
another may need but single mex
pensive Ingredient to add to his
soil to make it rich, and he buys
complete fertilizer at consider
able cost. No matter what the
mistake made, if the farmer be close
observer, be will be dissatisfied and con-
denim commercial fertilizers as whole.
Experiments made at the Station this
season demonstrated that better results
were obtained where the needed ele-
ment only was applied than where a
complete fertilizer, sometimes at ten
times the cost, was used. twill be seen
then how easily farmer may err. Com
mercial fertilizers contain such and
such elements that soils require. GEN
orally first-class goods will contain all
that is needed to make very poor land
yield fair crops. Now, If land is in this
condition, the owner can't make much
of mistake, no matter what he APP
plies. But field may be so much worn
that it fails to produce paying crops, and
yet be rich in certain elements.
1t takes just so many elements to
make soil rich, but they must all be con-
tained in 1t. If all but one are there,
although some may be in great abun-
dance, crops will fail. If the needed
one is supplied all will be we'll.
But the difficulty farmers labor under
is to know which is the needed element.
All can not expect to have their soils
analysed by the State, and the next best
that can be expected is the results Of the
Experiment stations, These, to be
effective, should be located in the differ
ent geological formations Of the State.
Next, great good may come from the dis
cussions and lectures at the Farmers In
stitutes, which, it is contemplated, will
be held in every district in the State.
But, after all, farmer must make his
own experiments, based on the best in
formation he can gain. Let him ascer-
tain as nearly as possible what his soil
needs, apply this, leaving spaces where
nothing is added. He may try in the
small way many of the known fertiliz
ing elements and use extensively only
such as prove beneficial.
Another way farmer may err in the
use of commercial fertilizers: He may
choose what the greater part of his
soil needs and set his drill the same fol
the whole field. Thus will he apply tC
fertile fence row the same he does K
the worn and yellow hillside. 1t may
not be needed at all on one and be toC
small an amount to practically benefi
the other, while the average portion ol
the land will be materially helped.
In this day the use of fertilizers ha'
become a necessity. Farmers can no
raise poor crops and sell at presen
prices. The labor is the same on pool
or good crop.
Clover is, in most instances, SOW
reign remedy for poor land, but Glove
will often fail unless the land is give1
some good mineral stimulant.
We trust the work of our Experimen
Station, the teachings of the Institute
and the farmers own good sense viii
guide them so that the three-fourths o
$780, 900 now wasted, may be distributes
among them. They need it, God knows
and need it badly.-Farmers' Hom
journal.