The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1894-05-24

vi
commercial fertilizers because it i'm
proves the physical condition of the soil.
by blowing the crops of peas and clover,
IN conjunction with commercial fertil-
1zers, we get the same result as by using
stable manure. These leguminous crops
gather much nitrogen from the air, and
some phosphoric acid and potash from
below and leave the land in more
friable condition, saving manure as well
as labor.
SAVING STABLE MANURE.
What is the best plan to save stable
manure, and prevent the waste of it's
valuable element? L. MI.
A good deal of nitrogen and humus
matter is lost when the manure lies in
large piles, exposed to the air for any
length of time: this can be prevented by
spreading gypsum or kainit upon the
pile, and the manure becomes more val
liable for light soils, when potash and a
slow working of the manure is needed.
Stable manure mixed with superphos-
phate is better adapted to heavy soils.
FERTILIZER FOR SWAMP.
What is the best fertilizer for a
swampy, peaty soil?
This soil contains great deal of hui
mus, and as rule does not require sta
bic manure, or nitrogen. 1t contains
but little lime, potash or phosphoric
acid, and these are the materials to ap-
ply for the best results.
POTATOES.
What kind of soil is best for sweet
potatoes? What for Irish potatoes?
When should the former be set out?
H. A. L.. Martins, Ga.
The sweet potato fourishes best in a
light, sandy or 1oamy, warm soil. In
any warm, light land with southern
exposure it can be cultivated with ad-
vantage. They should be planted as
early as frost will permit. The Irish
potato does best on a cool, northern
exposure-with q thick mulch and a
loamy, rather heavy soil
WHAT BECOMES OF FERTILIZERS,
What becomes Of fertilizers when ap-
piled to land? That is will they be lost
if not taken up by plants by teaching,
or will the remain i'll the soil?
H. Q. P, Irwington.
Whether a fertilizer will remain in
the soil or be leached out by the rains
will depend entirely upon the character
of the fertilizer and the material out of
which it is manufactured. Phosphoric
acid, chief constituent of all fertilizers,
is not lost to any extent by teaching.
When applied to the soil the soluble as
sumes the form of reverted phosphoric
acid, in which form it cannot be sepa-
rated from the soil by the solvent action
of water. The various forms of potash
are water soluble and subject perhaps to
more loss by teaching than any other
fertilizer material except nitrogen when
supplied by nitrate of soda. Nitrogen
supplied by cotton seed meal is subject
to virtually no loss, while ammonia sup
piled by blood is to much loss.
KANT.
Does kainit contain other ingredients of
value to plants besides potash.
H. A. NJ, Adairsville.
The only ingredient in kainit of any
considerable value as plant food is the
sulphate of potash.
OYSTER SHELLS.
Do oyster shells contain any of the
valuable elements of plant food? And if
ground are they beneficial to the soil,
and how? @. G. T., Towards.
Ground oyster shells contain a very
small quantity Of phosphoric acid, about
OF of 1 per cent. They are valuable
for the carbonate of lime which thew
contain, it being an important constitu.
ent of fertile soils.
PEAS FOR HAY.
To cut for hay what time and what
quantity of peas should be sown on land
that will produce 10 bushels of corn to
the acre. H. F. P, Plainville.
If the land is in good condition and
the seed we'll put in, bushel to the
acre. From the middle of May to the
first of June is the best time to sow, but
it may be done in June Your land
ahould be fertilized if you expect good
results. Use some acid phosphate with
potash.
ORCHARD CROPS.
What can plant in young orchard
without i2juring it? Do hogs injure an
orchard: o. c. d., Fails Creek.
Until your orchard comes into bear
ing you can cultivate it without injury
in such crops as potatoes, peas, beans
and turnips. The manure applied to
these crops will give vigor to the young
trees. Corn or small grain should never
be used. After the orchard comes into
bearing, cultivation of other crops should
cease. 1t may then be set in orchard
grass, and after good sod is formed
calves and sows and pigs may be pas
tured on it. Grown cattle and horses