The Forrest City times., 1891-09-18
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
ARTICLE ON POTASH SAIrs or
 VALUE TO FARMERS.
DeneAts to Be Derived From Potash Salts-An Easy Way to Test Cows About Sheep--Farm Notes
 and House ehold Hints
vsiue of Ger man Potash Salts.

vsiue of German Potash Salts.
 The American Cultivator condenses the following from the report made by Dr. Maereker of the University of Halle, Germany. to the German agri- cultural society. Where they think that the doctors conclusions are not applicable to soil and climate of this country however it may be in the holster climate and milder winters of his country, they note it.
 Potash salts are profitable for use upon peaty meadows ana sandy soil if they have normal supply of moisture, and the increased yield by its use is very large. It is also of great bene- fit in changing the character of the plants upon such soils. as the sour grasses disappear. and timothy. rye and orchard grass. clover, etc, come in. Upon some soils they do not show the results the first year when it may be considered that there is also lack of phosphoric acid. A good applica- ton would be 400 to 500 pounds Kainit with 400 pounds of the Thomas slag. These should be we'll mixed before | applying.
 For grain crops apply in the fall as early as possible, as if applied too late It may remain upon the surface. Flor the Northern and Middle states we should prefer application early in the i spring, as our spring rains would car ry 1t down among the roots The proper amount is 440 pounds of Kainit and 800 pounds of phosphate There is no danger of it's being washed out by rains The concentrated potash salts have no advantage over the Kain- it. In this most American parties would not agree with him. They pre- fer tho sulphate for some crops. but not on grain crops. because of it's free- ness from chlorine but in most cases consider the muriate the cheapest form. As the muriate is about fifty or fifty-two per cont actual potash. while the kainit Is from twelve to seventeen, or one-fourth as strong for low grade and one-third for high grade Kainit, the prices here make the mariate the cheapest fertilizer for the farmer as the freight from German mines so buy CTS is the same on both Wherever the doctor advises 450 pounds of Kain- 1t 1t will be safe to substitute l5O pounds of eighty five per cent Iwpari- ate
 Potash produces a darker color of the leaves, stiffer straw and a heav- fer and healthier grain, and prolonss the season of growth Tt is not then 90 desirable where earliness of crop ic an important matter to the grower. l
 Potash and phosphate combined are almost sure to be profitable upon san dy or sandy peat soil. hsss are not as sure upon clay soil, unless potatoes and beets are the principal crops grown
 Where green manuriug Is practiced to furnish nitrogen. the potash and phosphate gre all thas is needed. or they are usually sufficient to grow the green manurial crop, and when that Is plowed in all the clements of fertil- ity are there. In some. soils there is deficiency of lime, and when that is added to the above, graRt results may be expected.
 For the lupines the phosphate does
 
 pounds of Kainit T120'to 150 Muriate1 would give best results. Beazs peas, clover and naarly all otfier legylminous plants seem to De most benefited by using the potash and phosphate com bined. The use of potash for potatoes l and beets proves very profitable, as these crops require largo amounts of H. The amount of sugar and starch | would be increased by the use of the i sulphate of potash. For tlesse crops the most benefit Is derived from u fall | application or from its use espou pre- vious crop. Where the potatoes are to be used for starch making or the l heets for sugar making. they will be much improved by using uale sxlphate i of potash, very freely.
 h garden crops potash is of great value in increasing the crop, but most of them need nitrogenous fertilizer used wiah the potash to hasten growth and maturing. In a light sandy or sandy ,Oam soil ihis is most important unless, nitrogen has beea liberally SUD- piled in some 1sher manner. by heavy maturing or the blowing under of green crops.
 Asparagus does wel wish the 450 pounds of kAinit and, 500 pounds of CSih saltpe're per seue. We would aavise 200 to 800 poands of the muri-, ats of potash. n much heavier dressing than the doctor recommends, ard would also increase tho saltpetre or nitrate of soda In forestry potash L Al. l. O. young trees very much, and espaci- a.ly young pines upon sandy land.
 A Source of Profit
 N farmer keeps good cows--wen.