Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-18
TILE VIRGINIA SOCIETY.
FOOD FOR FARMERS THOUGHTS
Fertilizers and How to Use Ihem--An
Essay Delivered by Chester Beiding
BEFORE Farmers' Alliance OF
rlaramont. Va.


With the farmer fertilizers form basis
from which he can successfully carry LOT LOT
ward the production of paying crops. The
soil ia n sort of savings bank in which
he can deposit them. and under the skill
ful manipulation of the cultlyator he may
not only draw forth the original deposit
Int also secure a fair dividend over and
above CONDENSATION for labor bestowed.
Virginia soil has been long and proyerolally
noted for it's barrenness. ana in thisrespect
many portions of the State, at least
retain their impoverished condltion.
Yet this need not discourage tne
10 scatter his money on the ground
in the form of plant-food, for increased
price of most all farm products IN TINS 10
callty will more than compensate Tor the
fertilizer used over and above the price OF
like products where less or none are nee9-
ed TO secure larger yield but az q Inucn
reduced price for the same. In al our eA-
perience we have never known OF READ Oh
farmer who had made himself poor or
rnined his farm by over-purchase of ma
nures. and il YOU would learn who are the
best and most successful farmers In any
community seek to find out which ones
make use of the most fertilizers, ana
generally Won will find your men.
Most of farmers make big mistake
in attempting to cultivate 700 mach
land or more than they can properly rer-
tilize. One acre well tertlllzeu may pro-
duce paying crop, whereas ene SAM
cultivated at q loss. Therefore we recon,
mend taking up small tracts at first and
concentrating all your labor and manure
on them until the soil is deepened ana en-
riched go as TO produce paving crops, then
gradually extending. operations over larger
number of acres. &c. As 10 the sources
from which to obtain fertilizers. mucn oe-
ponds upon locations ana surI p,,i5
ings. First of all every farmer shopld
see that no material about the farm that
can be utilized IS allowed to run 70
waste-fallen leaves, leaf-mold, sswdust.
waste, or damaged straw ana nay,
saturated with urine from the stables
and composted with animal manure, soon
form q valuable fertilizer. Also, WOOD
ashes are especially valuable as TOP
dressing ON most crops. but Ynen inc
farmer has none or an insunclent suppE
of these he has 10 resort TO the purchase OF
commercial fertilizers; and as be enters
upon the selection of these be has great
variety of qualities and prices from which
10 select. From our own experience N
their use we think that animal-bone or
that class of goods IN which bone forms
the main body, and that generally com.
mand the highest price. WITH the nigness
guaranteed analysis, ere the cheapest'
especially whore permanent i'm
provement Of the soil h desired.
as often such fertilizers give equal or pct
ter results the second and third year after
their use than they do the first. Whereas
the cheaper grades may equal or excel
them for the growth OF one crop oply, YET
the cheaper grades cost Just as much 70
freight and handle as the more expensive;
therefore we advise buying frat quality
article, believing II to be the cheapest IN
the end. We have used tons ofraw ground
tone-meal and consider 1t one OF the chap
est Of fertilizers where Immediate results
are not required Add TO the soil some
wood ashes OF compost, the bone with
stable-manure, and in due time It vii give
good returns If propdrly applied.
Another source OF fertilixing, and we
would say perhaps the bert and cheapest
way 70 permanently enrich the soil IN
this locality. y 10 plough under some green
crop - sod. rthis purpose aoms soWrye-
We DO not sseo4z4end nH the reanep tkst
sFeen 1yeb nas sleh q plant fpodi eoupeae