Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-12-24
FARMER AND PLANTER.
HINTS TO FARMERS.
The Best Method OF Increasing tho Pro-
ductlon OF Crops.


II high pressure stimulation is
brought to bear upon a flock of hens
the yield of eggs would be abnormaily
increased for one or more seasons, but
the vitality of the hen would be Slapped
and the life force of her progeny would
be run down. 1t is possible to apply
chemicals to soil that will result only
in stimulation TO effort instead of in
creasiDg the productiveness. Such u
system of fertilization would truly be
hot-houso farming instead of being
intensive in the true sense of the
word. We are told that what is
worth doing is nth doing well"
but this does not include OVERRIDING.
When we demand crop of the ''moth.
err of us all" we are in honor bound to
provide her with the proper chemical
elements with which, in her most
wonderful laboratory, she may com
pound the required fruitage, and we
are equally bound to provide such prep
aratiCn and cultivation as will enable
her to apply the elements just as she
pleases. We must wait on her with
the most assiduous tending" when
she begins to build cereals and roots
for our use. Moreover. the gathering
of the crop must be done SO faithfully
and accurately that we may be able,
as good stewards, to make her full re-
turn of everything she needs in order
to answer our cali to duty ~ when we
shall ask of her a crop during the fol-
lowing year.
l. PREPARATION.
Determine how deep the laws of
plant life require that the roots Of the
vegetable or grain you propose to cul-
tivate should 60 into the earth during
the growing season. Having ascer-
tanned this, proceed to loosen the soil
in such thorough fashion that all the
needed elements in it may be readily
reached and normally absorbed by ma
ture for the purpose you wish her to
serve. BE very sure that If you dwarf
or distort the feeding roots, with all
their marvellous mechanism, by leav-
ing them to encounter hard clods,
they will invariably contribute their
moiety toward starving you. If you
see any responsibility here, you will
please apply pillow, harrow, subsoiler
or spade until the proper filth is OBJ
tanned. Make this n matter of con-
science, even If you make railroad
trip up the River Seine and take a
look at the farming along the rail-
way into Paris before you can COM
prehend the absolute need of perfect
filth.
If you can find that some particular
fertilizer will help in this preparation,
use it, unless agitation" of the dirt is
to you the cheaper process. In all
this the wisdom resulting from your
own experience, thoughtful expert
ence, rather than my dictation, must
be your guide.
II. CULTIVATION
If You have properly prepared your
ground, as already suggested, and
have given it all the fertilization thai
may be mutually needed by it and the
crop you are to plant, as will be
treated under the next head, your field
is already half titled. In regard to the
depth TO which you shall cultivate the
soil while the crop is growing, YOU
must be governed by the length of the
lateral roots on the particular day
and also their depth in the earth
This you must learn by actual inves
tigation. Take no mans opinion OF
that subject. Do not injure them be
yoEd their power to grow quickly
into more serviceable condition
than they were in before you tool
them in hand. Investigate and ex
pertinent until the question of lat,
blowing has been scientifically settled
by and for yourself.
Touching the frequency of your cul
tivation, be guided by the condition
the soil crust at the time, and the ten
dency of weeds to grow from the sol
which you have set apart for you
crop. Do not allow vegetable vaga
bonds to eat up the food which yo,
have prepared for the plant children
Moreover, you must not shut the chill
dren out from it by any failure t,
loosen the soil fully up to the row ant
between the hills. You must not b
afraid to bend your back in hoeing o
to get down on your knees for fnge
work II necessary.
III. FERTILIZATION.
The hints already given along thi
line, have been largely thrown out 70
the sake Of getting your attention t
the entire subject, and as they had
bearing upon the subject of filth.
Provide yourself with literature tina
will correctly inform you in regard t
the chemical composition of the PAL
ticular crop which you may wish t
produce, and learn, from the sam
source, what fertilizer is richest i
the element or elements that have tn
chief place in that plant. Let this b
your guide in all dealings with agent
for commercial fertilizers. You ma
safely trust the bulletins of your es
pertinent station. They can be ha
for the asking, and they are invalr
able.
Before using any commercial fel
tilizer you are morally bound to pro
vide one or more cemented cellars, c