The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-01-16
TO THE FARMERS.
COMMISSIONER NESBITT'S TALUA-
Bile SUGGESTIONS.
He Favors the Intensive System - Homo
Raised supplies Discussed-Timeiy
Advice About Renovation, Etc

Advice About Renovation, Eto.
With the new year comes the ever-re-
curing question to the southern 1ariiler'
"What shall. l plant and how shall
plant?" At this time last year eVerythlnS
looked propitious and the hopes OF the
farmers of the state for year Oh llIPieCe-
denied success ran high, but the low price
of cotton and various other reasons nave
preciptated a period of unusual despoh-
dency. The department of agriculture is
daily besieged with inquiries from all over
the state as to what should be the pollcy
for the forthcoming year.
yes" said Commissioner Nesbitt yester-
day, II have letters from all over Georgia
every day from the farmers asking what
is best to be done. My advice is in the
main: "a reduction in the cost of producing
cotton by securing a large yield from
smaller acreage. by this ana home-ra1sed
supplies as far possible meet the eN-
igency OF low prices and secure better
profits in the case of an advance.
Il have just finished a letter OF advice to
the farmers of the state, suggesting plans
for the coming year. This report L intend
to issue next week. In 1t Wall say:
"A knowledge of the results from the
state experiment farm at Griffin is of great
value TO the body of farmers. Rut soils and
conditions on different farms aDd in differ
ent localities vary greatly, and even on the
treatment.
On farms OF waning 1eftlII1y, ana what
Georgia farm is not more or less depleted?
II is important TO know in what deficiency
consists, and each farmer should make, as
it were, his own soil tests. Study the re-
quirements of each crop, and then carefully
note the effect of each applied fertilizer. 1t
is true that in commercial fertilizers there
is what is termed the perfect fertilizer"
containing all thee elements OF nitrogen,
acid and potash.
there is enough of even one of these ele-
ments IN certain soil, or that by certain pro-
cess we can draw them to the surface, what
is the use of paying a high price for ma
terlal already within our reach? Expert
mental plats need not be troublesome OF
expensive, and they may be mada to tell
us more certainly than any general soil
test, no matter how scientifically made, of
what plant element the land stands most
in need.
..'For instance, one plant may be fortified
with nitrogen alone, another with phos-
with nothing. Then combine these eie-
ments, two of each, then try all three,
These experiments bear directly on the
economical side of farming, besides being
full OF interest and pleasure. To one who
has been accustomed to -o0k upon the soil
as simply inert matter, they open the door
Tor q fuller and broader view, ana lead to
a more careful study of and more extended
interest in the beautiful yet simple laws of
nature, TO those who have never given
this subject much thought, the statement
each average acre of land in Georgia there
lies at least two tons CT phCsphOric acid,
three times as much potash, and even more
than that amount Of lime, is almost beyond
belief, and al once the inquiry IS Sug8eSted;
why buy these elements at all? Why
not ploW deep, bring them to the surface
elements are not III soluble form, the ordi-
nary crops cannot appropriate them because
plants do not eat, they drink. Therefore,
knowing these two facts, j. e., that the
elements eau be placed in reach, and vet
The plants be unable 10 appropriate them.
hGW to put these important elemel IS in
tt1,, orr