The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-03-16
About Fertilizers.

with good success on oats and grass,
but lid not succeed quite as well with it
on potatoes; but it might have been
that the mixture was not thoroughly
united before using when used on the
potatoes. O Will muriate of potash
work as a substitute for the ashes, and
if so what proportions would you use?
! (2) Would you use heavier of the
potash for the potatoes than you would
for oats and grass? (3) Would mixing
dry be all that would be necessary,
using care to mix thoroughly? (D How
would the result compare for the same
amount OF money-cOtonsee at S2S
per ton, ground bone at $50, muriate pot
ash at S42-with Stockbridge fertilizer
at $40 per tonp (5) We have used the
Stockbrdge fertilizer for thirteen years.
On one plot of land we tried little ex-
pertinent with Stockbri lge and stable
manure. 1t contained three acres of
about equal quality of soil. On an
acre in the center of the plot we used
the Stockbridge fertilizer for corn at
the rate of 800 pounds per acre; on the
remainder, stable manure at the rate of
five cords per acre { he manure being
kept under cover and made from hay
and grain), with 100 pounds phosphate
per acre added. The result was FIVE
bushels more of ears of corn to the
acre and also better corn on the Stock
bridge. The next year we planted
corn again on the same plot, using
the same quantity of Stockbridge,
and using seven and one-half cords
of manure and 100 pounds phosphate
per acre, with the result of little
| tat hue IS
on the Sockbridge than on the ma.
nure and phosphate. The third year
we seeded to oats, using 800 pounds
per acre of Stockbridge and nothing
more on the MANFRED plot, the Stock
bridge yielding twelve bushels more to
the acre, weighing two pounds more to
the bushel. The next year there was a
severe freeze the 30th of May, but the
Stockbridge piece withstood the freeze
and yielded a third more hay than the
MANFRED piece. We did not have means
to weigh the hay, but estimated it.
After taking two crops without adding
Stockbridge, we put on 200 pounds per
acre for four years, and each of those
years we had larger crops of hay on the
Stockbridge than on the manure, the
difference being so marked that a
neighbor, looking at the grass when
two-thirds grown, stepped up, thinking
there was ridge on the land. After
this we planted corn, using stable ma
nure on the whole plot. That on which
the Stockbridge had been used was dis.
tinctively marked through the season
by better color and heavier ears. The
oats following showed the same differ
ence, and after two or three years of
grass it is still perceptible, though it
grows less marked. From this and
other trials, have come to the conclu-
sion that chemical fertilizers do last in
the soil as we'll as stable manure. l
think we get the best results by using
the two combined, or alternately.
For stra wberries / have had the best
results on land where l used at the rate
of twenty cords of manure per acre for
two years and then alternated with
Stockbridge for two years, using at the
rate of ton and half at setting, and
the next year using one-half that guam
tity for top dressing, per acre.
With manure from Sc to 81 per cord
and fertilizer at $40 per ton, you will
see that we can get better results for
the same money using the fertilizer;
but think that the fertilizers might
be sold at lower prices speak of the
Stockbridge, as we have used that
mainly.
Can you give me the name of the pc
tato originated by Mr. Carman, which
you spoke of favorably in the WATCH
MAN, last fall? Also, where it can be
obtained? l have been much helped
by Mr.. Carman's book on potato cul.
ture. Also, have been greatly pleased
with the Rigby potato digger, saving
two thirds of the labor of digging.
Thompson, Conn. j. w. Dixie.
NOTES BY AGRICULTURAL EDIToR.-
O A quick fertilizer is required by thu
potato crop, as it has to make its growth
in short time. (2) Muriate of potash
is good substitute for ashes, but W.
should prefer the sulphate. 1t is sale
that the muriate gives less meal,
tuber when applied to potatoes, but W,
are not sure that this is true. CONNER
cial muriale of potash contains abou
fifty per cent of potash, and good ashe
about six per cent; but the latter con
tains about two per cent of phosphori
acid, while the potash salts have moth
ing of value aside from their potash
unless salt is beneficial, which il some
times is said to be. (3) Yes. (4) Yes
(O Rather cheaper, and quite as goo'
when the right proportions are used
and the mixing is thorough. But i
should be understood that raw bone
even when fine, does not act as quickl
as an acid phosphate, and is therefor
not so available for crop that has t.
make all its growth in ninety to on
hundred days. We may add tina
our own experience is all on tn
side of the belief that the standar,
well-made commercial fertilizers ben
eft the crops not only the yea
they are applied, but very plainl,