The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-10-01
FARMER AND PLANTER.
Glimpse at the North Carolina Expert
mont Farm and Its valu-
able Work.

Probably no other experiment sta
ton is doing more to benefit the agri-
cultural community than that of North
Carolina, located at Raleigh. The ex-
pertinent farm, which is owned by the
North Carolina State Horticultural So
ciety, and is carried on mainly in the
interests of horticulture by the horti-
cultural society in connection with the
state experiment station, is at South
ern Pines. N. c. This location was
chosen because land suitable for the
purpose could be procured there at
comparatively low prices. Expert
ments are continually being made with
a view to specially benefitting al
branches Of horticulture.
The object of these experiments is
TO determine the proper amount Of the
different materials to be applied as
plant food to the various crops. and
not only to find the right amounts,
but also to determine in what form
each ingredient should be used. To
accomplish this end the ground is laid
out in plots of equal size, and differ
ent fruits and vegetables are planted
upon them, number being devoted
to rawberries. the same number to
black berries. grapes, pears, plums,
peaches, apples, potatoes, cabbages,
asparagus, etc. No two plots of
any variety of fruit or vegeta-
bles are fortified alike. So many
different formations of plant food
are employed that it requires some
thing like 80 plots for each vari-
ETY. of fruit or vegetable. Different
forms and amounts OF nitrogen are
used on different plots to determine
which form and amount may be best
for each different crop, and the same
is done with potash and phosphoric
acid, thus necessitating quite an acre.
age of land and involving a very great
amount of labor. 1t is naturally of
the utmost Importance that these ex-
periments should be carried on with
great carefulness and intelligence;
they have therefore, been placed. un-
der the direction OF skillful men who
will leave nothing to chance or guess
works. = ssEs A. M
All fertilizer materials are carefully
weighed and applied. A record of each
plot is kept, showing the amodnt of
each Ingredient and its form, and
when and how it was applied. The
product of each plot is carefully
weighed or measured, and a record
made of the same. In this way, by the
use of different forms and amounts of
each ingredient, and noting the results
upon the various crops, the amount
and form most profitable for each crop
can be arrived ut. Now, when all
these results are tabulated and
reported and the reports dis
tributed, they will constitute a work
of incalculabIe value, not only to the
farmers in the state of North Carolina.
but the farmers throughout the coun-
try.
The good work of this farm goes still
further, and includes experiments for
destroying injurious insect and fungus
diseases. The state has enacted very
stringent laws for the destruction of
the San Jose scale and other pests, and
also to eradicate ''peach yellows" and
other fungi. In this respect some 9TH
err states would do we'll to follow her
EXAMPLE.
The soil and climate of North Caro-
lima make her eminently fitted for the
production of fruits and vegetables, in
which she is encouraged by the trans
portation companies, which give ex-
cellent facilities for reaching good
markets. Therefore it seems very wise
that the state should encourage horti-
culturalists in their work, for this ex-
perimental work would be very unlike
ly to be accomplished by individual eff
fort, as the average horticulturist and
agriculturist is hardly competent to
carry on such work even If he had
the time and means to do it. Then
again, by having these /. experi-
ments conducted in body at
one place aud under the supervision of
capable men, the expense can be great
ly reduced. and anyone who chooses
can profit by the object lessons given
at the farm. 1t is far cheaper to profit
by another's experience than for each
individual to learn everything by ex-
perimenting for himself.
All it costs one to get the benefit of
the experience of those who conduct |
the experiments at the farm is the time |
necessary to carefully read the reports
which are furnished free on applica-
ton. At the same time individual |
experiments should by no means be |
discouraged, but rather the contrary.
1t is good for everyone to investigate |
for himself( if he canl and also to see |
what others are accomplishing. 1t |
would be well for everyone who can
spare as1ittle time and money, to visit |
farm at Southern. Pines, |
n. c., and see for himself what is be-
ing done there. Whoever does SO will |
hardly fan to- appreciate the wisdom