The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-23
Potarh ON VIRGIN SOLE.

1t is very commonly supposed that "vir-
GIN soils already contain fertility in such
abundance that the application of any of
the leading elements of fertility, such as
nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, will
be superfiuous, unnecessary and wastefuI,
says G. N. Turner in Farmers Magazine.
To a limited extent this is true. but there
are decided limitations TO il. Take our for
est lands for instance For centuries the
trees of the forest have been abstracting
from the soil all the potash and phosphoric
acid obtainable; they have obtained their
needed supply of these important ele-
mentS from not only the upper layer of
soil, but from many feet deep in the sub
soil. Now, II in preparing this land for
cultivation, the timber is cut down and al
lowed to rot upon the ground right where
II grew; or the whole of IL burned and
the ashes scrupulOusly returned thereto,
the land would remain in statu quo,
neither losing nor gaining in fertility. This
we all know is not the case; the timber
is sold off the land or removed to places
far distant from where il grew; conse-
quently the strictly virgin soil is impov
erished to that extent. Now, to those who
do not believe that virgin soils are really
deficient in potash. we would invite at
tention to the result where the brush and
useless logs are piled and burned Where
ever these brush heaps and log piles are
burned, ashes (potash) accumulate, and
every brush or log heap can be located
for several years afterWard by the super
luxuriance of the crops grown thereon as
compared with the balance Of the field
Now, if we see so much difference in
soil that is just taken into cultivation.
what may we not expect in lands that
have been exhaustively cropped for gene
rations? Occasionally we see an adver-
tfsement going the rounds of the farm
press. More Potash Needed but do we
believe it? DO we heed the lesson il
teaches? Probably we ignore it. but IL Il
an incontroyertibe fact all the same
There are but few soils that do not readily
resDond in the way of Increased crons IL
a liberal application OF potash LET IL come
in the form Of ashes, saltpeter of the Ger
man potash salts. More especially Is this
the case with what are known as potash
crops, such as irish potatoes, tobacco, SUI
gar cane, sorghum, peas dnciuding the
COW peal, beans, all of the grasses, the
ClOvers, nearly all vegetables all kinds of
fruits and the various cereals, but more
especially corn, together with the fibre
producing crops, such as cotton. hemp
etc AS a rule il is not best to apply pot
ash alone; but in conjunction with phos-
pilates lin the proportion of one part phos-
phoric acid to three parts potash which
is natures ratio, as found in the ashes of
plants) and nitrogen whenever and where
ever indicated. Potash and the phosphates
should, whenever practical be applied in
agents in spring. All three elements,
whether applied singly or conjointly. can
do their level best only where organic
(vegetable) matter is present in abund-
ance. Where the available supply Of or
ganic matter Is limited. the amount Of
fertilizing agent should be small (75 to $50
pounds per acre.. Sandy and peaty soils
are invariably deficient In potash. and its
use on all such cannot fail TO prove bene-
fetal; in fact, neither truck raising nor
general farming can be carried on on such
lands without its liberal use Not only
s more potash needed in neaiy all
slant cultivation for number OF years
as well as virgin soils, but many OF the