The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-05-18
TESTS OF FIELD PEAS,
go Determine tho Most Effective Fertilizer
and Best Varieties For Forage and Peas.

go Determine tho Most Effective Ecrtillzor
and Best Varieties For Forngo and Peas.
Tho horticulturist of tho Georgia ex-
pertinent station at Experiment. reports
III bulletin No. 80 some fertilizer and
variety tests of field peas. Whilo it has
long been generally admitted that for
field peas tho specific fertilizer is phos-
phoric acid neither its limit of availa-
bility, its best form for presentation nor
the exact eXtent to which it's usefulness
IS affected by combination with other ele-
ments Of plant food has ever been deter
mined For those determinations, there
fore, a series of experiments has been in
augurated to extend through several soa-
sons. The scheme for the past season
was arranged more with Wow to COM
parison Of different proportions and
forms of nitrogen, separately and in
combination, as we'll as of different pro-
portions and forms of potash, than for
the purpose of studying the effects Of
phosphoric acid Of course only tenta-
tive results can be expected from one
years experiments, yet 30 far as they go
they have been moderately consistent
and in general way satisfactory.
The land was thoroughly broken and
pulverlzed in March, and on juno 10
the rows were run with shovel pillow,
two trips to the row, the fertilizer dis
trips to the row, bedded with four fur.
rows by turn pillow and the beds lev
eled with saddle skirt harrow. On
June 10 the section was planted with
Speckled or Whippoorwill peas by q pea
dropper running in q scooter fugrow.
Rain following. the stand was nearly
perfect Cultivation followed through
the season as often as necessary with
Planet, Jr.. cultivator. Tho first pick
ing Of peas was made Sept. 10, the sec
ond Sept 20 and the third and last Oct.
8. On Aug. 80 one-half OF each plat was
cut and the green vines weighed on tho
spot, the remainder of tho plat being
left to ripen its peas.
Conclusions drawn from results al
ready obtained briefly stated are:
l. 1t is money thrown away 10 apply
any form of heterogeneous fertilizer tc
COW peas 3. The use Of potash salts in
any form appears Improbable, largo
doses, especially of kdinit, proving posi-
lively injurious 8. Complete fertilizers
combinations of ammonia, potash and
phosphoric acid-appear to be valuable
only in direct proportion to the prepon-
derance of phosphoric acid in the com
bination- 4. Heavy applications of any
form or combination Of fertilizers, In
GLIDING phosphates, are Improbable J.
Moderate doses of superphosphate (acid
phosphate) or Florida soft phosphate
ground rock, untreatod) produce the
largest gross yield us well as the great
est profit. 6. The amount Of phosphates
which may be safely depended upon Diff
fers Of course with the character of ths
land The better the soil the greater the
amount that may be used with profit
A range of from 900 to 400 pounds per
acre of acid phosphate and of perhaps
double that amount of soft phosphate
would probably cover all contingencies.
III the present test the best varieties
for forage appear to be in their order:
Black yielding at the rate of Is, S76
pounds green vines per acre in four foot
rows-Mathews, Gourd, White, Tay-
lor's Prolific, Blue Hull and Speckled
Crowder yielding the same). Rice and
Clay. Mathews (origin, Spalding coun-
ty) appears to be only an improved
Gourd pea, though apparently, probably
from careful selection, superior to the
average seed of the Gourd pea obtain
able.
For peas the heaviest yield was made
by the following varieties in their order:
Black IA. 81 bushels per acre, calculated
yieldD, Mathews and Clay yield the
same), Taylor's Prolific. Blue Hull,
Speckled Crowder, White Cowtler
Mush and Williams Hybrid
It was noticed that those varieties
producing most vines, also, as rule.
record the heaviest yield in peas
How To Bush Peas.