The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-11-11
FERTILIZERS,

The greatest saving on the farm Il
in the ability to buy fertilizers that
are best adapted to the soil. No two
farms are alike, and for that reason
no formula can be placed before
farmers that will prove satisfactory
to all. As the majority of farmers
know but little of chemistry, it is diff
fcult to explain the action of chemi-
Gals in the soils, and their relations to
the growth Of plants. 1t has been
but a short period since the discovery
was made that the changes in the soil
we're due to the work of billions Of
bacteria, and that they are Of various
kinds, operating under certain con-
ditions which best conducted to their
efficiency as natural agents for con-
vertlng the inert substance contained
in the soils into plant foods, and that
their work is best performed under
the influences OF sunlight, air and
moisture, according to the work to be
performed and the kind of. plant food
which they naturally provide. Every
year the farmers are brought in con-
tact with new theories which upset
the old, and which they must consider,
knowledge proving of incalculable ad-
vantage IN enabling them to use fer
tilizers judiciously, and to secure the
best results ut the lowest cost.
Experiments show that fertilizers
abounding in nitrogen promote the
growth of plants which have abundant
and large foliage, giving that intense
green tlnge so noticeable in thrifty
and healthy plants, but nitrogen must
be reinforced by proportionate sup
ply of potash in the soil. Fruits and
plants which produce seeds in album
dance require more phosphorus acid
than that of potash, while root crops,
such as turnips, potatoes, beets, car
rots and parsnips are benefited by
potash. It is important, however, for
the farmer to know something of his
soil, as it may contain an ample sup.
ply of potash or phosphoric acid, and
in such cases he will require more nj
trogen than mineral matter, All soils
which are fertile contain substances
which the farmer need not procure.
and he can effect saving by using
only such as his soil may require. No
nitrogen is needed if the land has
been in clover, but the soil will be
benefited by applications of phospho-
ric acid and potash.
The fall is the season when lime can
be most proitsbly used, and in pro-
portion to its cost it gives better re-
suits on most farms than any other
substance. 1t should always be used
where crop or sod is turned under,
as it not only contains within itself an
important substance utilized by
plants, but assists in efiecting certain
chemical changes in the soil by which
r:lant food is liberated from the hard
substances which otherwise could not
be rendered soluble. Lime has ten.
dency to go downwards, and hence it
is only necessary to broadcast it on
the surface of the soil. 1t has been
acknowledged by scientists and expert.
menters that where limo has been used
and assisted by manure and fertilizers
the soil has given satisfactory results
with all kinds OF crops, due probably
to an alkaline condition Of the soil be-
ing more favoraple to the work OF the
bacteria in changing the substances
existing in the soil into plant food.
In applying fertilizers in the fall, how
ever, the phosphates and potash salts
should be used, reserving the nitro
genous compounds for application IN
the spring. Friend.