The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-12

The costliest element OF commercial
fertilizers is nitrogen. More millions OF
dollars have been spent by the farmers
for this component part OF fertilizers than
!or all others n.bined. The nitrates are
needed TO give rapid growth TO the young
plants. Notwithstanding this vast ex-
,enditure of money little consideration
Of the analysis OF American agricultural
products shows that the foods we produce
or man and beast are sadly deficient in
he elements OF which nitrogen is based.
This element. which is now usually desig-
mated protein. is the .muscle-formiDg
part OF that which both No and our stock
consume. IL IS, like the nitrogen 1t con-
aims. the rare and costly element in stock
rations, and would be in our own, were
I not for the fact that all Americans
.hink that they are able to make paiata-
,eness the desideratum, regardless OF
Der cent. of nourishment.
Corn is. prominently, an American
product, and 1t il this grain that has done
much 10 unbalance the stock ration OF our
country. Ii is deficient in protein, and the
per cent. OF carbohydrates aud fat, both of
which elements give fat and heat TO the
animal, is excessive. The practical farmer
not dependent upon analysis for the
knowledge OF the truth. The horseman
desiring power for draft or speed has
earned that corn is not the best grain for
principal use in the stable. The breeders
Of swine find that corn is poor for the de-
velopment Of pigs. 1t lacks protein or
nitrogen. Oats bran. oil meal and most
oy-products are richer in protein.
Il is a remarkable fact that the same
varities of grasses and grains that Wa pro-
iuce are much richer in protein as grown
Dy farmers in Europe Not only is the
average per cent. OF protein in the stock
atiOns OF Europe far higher on account
IF their limited corn production, but their
hay and grain usually is more nutritious
that is, contains more protein. Tables
Of analyses show that English and German
timothy hay and clover hay are worth
more per ton than Ours, and there is
rome practical proof ia the much higher
average value OF the stock-larger frames
better bones and tirmer muscles. This
NAV not be true when comparison is made
with animals found on our best stock
Iarms. but this is due solely 10 the selec.
lion bv our stOckmen of the heterogeneous
Goods, leaving the masses 10 consume the
ess nutritious and more fattening aud
heat giving products OF our soil. Our
average IA not high, az statistics and obser-
Walton prove conciusivey.
American farmers are engaged in Sc
we're competition In the production OF fat.
n face OF the fact that there is a great
overproduction of fats. Lards and oils
must remain low so long as petroleum il
plentiful and oils are taken in large guam
tifiaa fro - h.-r -cffnafe ~
etc Nitrogen or protein is wanted IN the
lorm OF weii.knlt muscles and good, fine
bone IN AL kinds OF stock. and in the form
Of nitrates IN tie manure, In order that
large Yields OF food for man and beast
NAV be gotten OF fewer acres by the Ia
dividua farmer In this direction only
10 fair profits lie.
If commercial fertilizers would pay
when applied in sufficient quantities to
produce maximum Yield of nutritious
foods on half our farms there would be re-
quired for such applications 0 thousand
fold more than could be furnished. Ia
many sections probably in most sections.
thew bring cafe returns only when secur-
ing stand OF grass Any way it is idle TO
look to commercial fertilization for any
Such balancing of the plant food of our
soils, and such increase OF the Yields az
Llt lnulNiQuhl lhffltf II now SLTANlDK 10
make farm accounts balance.
While we are needing nitrogen. the air
is full; of it. The only difficulty in the
way is that most PLANTS, according to our
present knowledge. cannot render this nj
Iogen available for plant iOod-cannot
Iced upon Il. Nitrogen they must have
Even in those soils TO which we have re-
commended an application of potash only
as an experiment. nitrogen is a prime ne
cessIty. The point made was that the
soll may be less deficient in nitrogen than
in potash. and il might not pay at the
present low prices of farm products for
Iueh fields. when there are cheaper
Iources than the prepared nitrases
We now know that clover can get the
nitrogen from the air. IL feeds directly
upon il through its roots. II can store up
IN the soil IN one year many dollars worth
Of nitrates. The roots are full OF them as
well as the tops The hay ted 70 stock
makes the manure rich in the nitrate.
md such manure can produce grains rich
IA protein. The farmer must study to
entrap the nitrogen in the air. store II in
God products. thus adding to the worth of
young stock. of the n azure and OF his
and. This means larger crops and larger
profits, because less competition with the
producers OF fat Of every kind.
The wheat Outlook.
Dry winds in March and April often do
as much damage to wheat fields as frost
has done during the winter. II frost has
heaved the plants and loosened the roots,
the winds rob them Of the moisture neces-
sary for getting a new hold. Some section
report injury to wheat. but it is vet too
early to make any predictions. Our coun-
try 10 go broad and the spring wheat seed
ing Is so important factor that one can
make no satisfactory guess about the har-
vest. Many farmers still hold some wheat,
and the price of old wheat will be ruled