Smyrna times., 1892-04-20

count of its proximity to market. In
the latter case fertilizers are more
easily obtained and more cheaply ap-
piled.
Intensive culture not only applies
more careful tillage, but also scien-
tho rotation of drops, and the applica-
ton of plant food in form of fertilizers.
and In condition of easy assimil-
ability.
In the case of maize much has
already been learned in regard to sue
cessful methods of Intensive culture.
The value of rank growth of clover
turned under at the proper time is we'll
attested by the large crops which fol-
low such treatment Organic matter
and nitrogen are furnished in abun-
dance by the above mentioned treat.
meat.
Perhaps the most interesting work
In connection with the intensive cuI-
lure OF maize in this country has been
carried on by the Kentucky Expert
mental Station. The LAND used for the
experiments was high and gently slop-
ing toward the middle of each plot.
1t was soil made on the spot and de-
rived from the decomposition of lower
sllurian limestOnes. The subsoil was
ilght-cOlored clay, so retentive of
molstre as to make the soil defective in
respect of natural drainage. Two
plots were planted without anv fertili-
zers whatever, and yielded 26.8 and 31.6
bushels per acre, respectively. with
$500 and 1850 pounds Offodder Stalks
and blades).
A plot fertilized with 300 pounds of
superphosphate and $50 pounds of sui
phate of ammonia per acre Welded
only 29.l bushels per acre, with 1896
pounds of fodder. In this case the
yield grain was not equal to the un.
iertilized plots, while the Weld of fod.
der was higher.
A plot which had received 100
pounds of sulphate of potash and $50
pounds of sulphate of ammonia per
acre produced 603 bushels of grain
and 1880 pounds of fodder per acre.
A plot fertilized with 100 pounds of
sulphate of potash, 800 pounds of su
perphosphate, and 100 pounds of sui.
phate of ammonia per acre Welded 63 a
BUSHELS of grain and 5,42O pounds of
fodder. Sixty pounds of sulphate Of
potash per acre applied alone and in
tDe null made 63.7 bushels of grain and
6,42O pounds of fodder. When snI.
phate OF potash 100 pounds, and super
phosphate 800 pounds per acre were
used the yield was 69.0 bushels of
grain and 6,2l0 pounds of fodder. The
best results were obtained bv using
sulphate of potash 100 pounds, super.
phosphate 300 pounds, ammonia sui
phate 100 pounds and sulphate of not.
ash in the hill 60 pounds per acre.
rms mixture produced so bushels of
grain and $3.50 pounds of fodder per
acre.
The results of one years experiments
however promising they NAV be.should
not be taken as final. A second and |
third years work has followed the rec |
ora OF experiments as given above. Tn |
the second years work yield Of "a |
bushels of grain and 4,O4O pounds Of |
fodder were secured by the application
OF 100 pounds of chloride (muriatel of
potash and 100 pounds of nitrate of
soda lChile saltpeterJ per acre. Plots
with no fertilizer yielded SO and 25
bushels of grain, respectively. The
conclusions derived from the second
years work are as follows:
l. Ihat IN those plots where potash
was one of the ingredients used there
was a marked Increase in yield, both in
grain and fodder.
2. That when fertilizer was use6
without potash there was scarcely anv
increase in grain but eonsijarabIe
increase in fodder.
.. Ihat the greatest increased Weld
hNy ho /
Chile saltpeter with potash.
l.. That muriate of potash when an
phe6 alone made marked. increased
yield over the plots containing no fer
tilzer.
The third years work, during 1891
at the Kentucky Station has been con
cluded and the results tabulatsd. The
results fully corrOborate those of the :
.wo preceding years. Potash in some
orm seems to be necessary to the sue
'esstul intensive culture of maize ON :
lolIs resembling those of the Kentucky =
experiment Station. In the third
years. work a mixture of 100 pounds I
nurlate of potash and 800 pounds
nitrate of soda per acre gave a Weld of +
. bushels. A pertinent question here p
nay be asked with reference to the /
financial results. Does the increased
Iield pay for the fertilizer EMPLOYED
The cost per acre of the muriate Of
potash and nitrate of soda above men.
Toned was 1920. The increased vaIne
u the crop over unfertiized plots s.
mounted to $3.50 per acre. The net v
Increase in value of the crop was Ii
therefore,, $40 per acre. On the other t,
land, plot fertilized with nitrate Of u
oda and superphOsphate, costing s.. 20
er acre, gave a yield decidedly lower u
han the unfertized plots, entailing a v
oss of 500 per acre as a result of that o,
ind of fertilization. n
1t would be erroneous to suppose q
bat what is true of the soil of the
lentucky Station would be true of OF
very other locality. There are doubt. Sc
'ss many fields that would be bene- c.
tied by the application of potash. It M
the function of the experiment sta. v,
ons to carefully study the reouire.
lents of the soil for all localitjcs
The way, however, in which this is OF
0e done has been clearly marked = Z
ut by the work above noted. In the VI
ght of such results we NAV pertin. vi
ltly inquire why the average weld Ia
maize per acre in the United States
lould be allowed to rest at "a bushels re
ar aPPA p "A, o,,;oo,, IL.