The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1896-02-13

even if the Soft Phosphates were wholly
available, they would not much exceed
IN value high grade acid phosphate,
but 1t has not yet been proven that they
contain insoluble phosphoric acid in
such form that it becomes any more
quickly available than insoluble phos-
phorlc acid n any other kind of finely
divided phosphate rock The Soft Phos-
pilates are in an exceedingly fine state
OF mechanical division, and on this ac-
count should weather more rapidly than
ordinary ground phosphate rock because
q larger surface is exposed
The law of Georgia recognizes as COM
mercial plant food available phosphoric
acid and does not so recognize insoluble
| phosphoric acid
| 1t Is well, with each new material, to
give it fair investigation upon its
merits, and if the farmers of the state
desire to try the Soft Phosphates on
their lands, the Department of Agricult-
ure wishes them to do so with their eyes
wide open, and on this account has for
hidden the sale of this material under
any name which indicates that it is of
| the same character as acid phosphate,
Which 1t most certainly is not. AS
above stated, it more closely approaches
In character finely ground phosphate
| rock.
| We have permitted the sale Of these
Soft Phosphates under their correct
name, as soft Phosphate" Just we as
would any other crude fertilizing ma
terlal, like land plaster, ashes, lime, etc.
| There has been strong effort made
by several parties to secure permission
to sell this material, mixed with potash
and ammonia, as a complete fertilizer.
The sale OF such mixture has always
been forbidden if it contained less than
10 per cent Of plant food, as clearly
violation of the state laws.
This material is natural product,
and if sold under its proper name, will
deceive no one.
The price at which the Soft Phos-
pilates are usually Sold is about $1,000
per ton, and the price at which acid
phosphates are usually sold is $500 per
ton. These figures are not far apart,
and if the claims of the Soft Phosphate
people are not largely true, the Soft
Phosphates would be dear at such q
price. Scientific men do not admit these
claims, and say that they are chiefly
statements II al advertising character
and have not been proven.
Any material which, will furnish
plant food to our farmers cheaply will
be welcome to US ALL but many cannot
afford to use such unproven materials,
and VIII not use them if they are aware
of their unproven character. Hence,
we have ruled and insisted that Soft
Phosphates must be sold as soft Phos-
phate" and not masquerade as some
thing else but must stand upon their
own merits and not shine with the re-
f1ected glory of some other material.
SPRING OATS
We are now and will probably all
through February get much of the rain
fall which we have lacked for several
months, and while it Is important that
we get the spring oats in the ground by
the latter part Of the month or the first
of March, because they should be we'll
established before the hot weather
comes on, it is equally important that
we do not attempt the work when the
land is too wet. When plowed in this
state, it is almost impossible to bring it
into good condition for sowing or for
planting any other crop. Stubble land
will be found first ready for the plow.
Do not burn the growth remaining on
the surface, but If necessary run har-
row or drag over the land to break it
down. 1t will supply humus, and then
plow deep enough to reach some of the
soil, which has not heretofore been used
in making crops. This contains large
stores of plant food, and even at this
season may be moderately and with
tproft mixed with the surface soil.
Thorough preparation Of the land before
seeding means great saving in the sub
sequent cultivation. 1t has been truly
said that "the best time to cultipdte crop
is before 1t is planted" AS oats require
no after cultivation, it is all the more
important that the preparation of the
land be exceptionally thorough. The
average price of oats on the market has
been maintained at more uniform
rate than any other crop and the indi-
cations are that the demand will in
crease rather than diminish In view
of these facts it will pay Georgia farm
ers to plant a full crop, provided it is
done on good land, and with the fact in
view that oats will return bigger per
cent for good preparation and good fer
tiliZatiOn than almost any other crop
because they have greater power for
abstracting fertility from the soil itself.
We know that to some farmers it may
seem waste of time, but it is neverthe.
less a good investment to thoroughly
break the land, going little into the
subsoil as suggested, and then harrow
before sowing. This will make a good
seeded and if the seed are then har-
rowed in deep enough to cover them
we'll and roller is just afterwards run
over the land we take all the chances
against late freeze, and should there
be dry season at the time of matur-
ing moisture will be drawn from below
to sustain the plants. A fertilizer in
| the following proportions, in larger or
smaller quantity to the acre, according
to the fertility of the land, will be
found Suitable: One part acid phosphate;
three fourths kainit; one-fourth cotton
seed meal: or, if preferred, the cotton
seed meal may be omitted and nitrate
of soda at the rate Of 100 pounds to the
acre may be applied as a top dressing
when the crop has fairly started its
Igrowth.
| GRASS, CLOVER AND LUCERNE.