The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-01

As we are in the habit OF using the various
potash salts in supposedly dangerous
amounts. but without any ob5ectionaO be
effects resulting but. on the contrary
decidedly beneficial as well as highly prof.
liable results aecruing in every instance;
We hope we may not be considered egotis-
teal IL we should consider ourselves com
petent to answer above query. That harm
can result from a wrong application OF
anything, let it be ever so good or merl-
toTious, all are, or should be. willing 70
admit If they are not willing to admit
this let them undertake to apply nitrate
of soda to a young and growing crop While
the leaves are wet with dew or rain; or
let them put acid phosphate or cotton seed
meal in direct contrast with
the soil they wish TO bene-
1T by the application, and see what
will happen in either case. The fact Of
the matter is that potash is not injurious
TO vegetation in whatever amount it may
be present in any given sol, until when
dissolved, the solution is so concentrated
as to be detrimental TO crops by It's pure
causucity; a condition that will never be
brought about for the reason that Il would
require such an enormous amount that no
soil killer would be found willing to in
vest the amount of money necessary 20
bring about such a contamination, even
If 1t were desirable, which. of course It
is not Although potash. in any neces-
sary amount is not detrimental to vege-
tation, when found combined with chlor-
inc, as it Is when purchased in the form
G. either kainit or nuriate, 1t sometimes
happens that. when applied in considera-
Die quantity, a sufficient quantity of this
chlorine in the form of gas is liberated
10 temporarily decrease the yield; but
Whenever this is the case it will also be
found that the yield will just as surely
ne lncrea sed for several years, and with
out any additional application. We have
repeatedly applied potash in the form of
murlate, in amounts ranging from 100 20
240 pounds per acre to both cotton and
corn, as well to both sweet and Irish
potatoes; although we have noticed a
slight decrease from the latter applica ton
The first season of application we have
noticed, likewise, the decided increase TO-
lowing its use and so an immediate result
of its use, for a series of years The
toxic effects sometimes resulting from the
use of potash in the form of either murl-
ate or kainit, is more than compensated
| for the permanency of the increased yield,
| and what is still more to the point. NAV
be entirely and effectually obviated by
applying these salts IN the fail, or. at
least, some months previous to planting.
We have known instances where as much
as eco pounds Of muriate were applied
to single acre of potatoes in a single
season, but such practice is injudicious
and wasteful in the extreme; it has moth
ing to commend it; no, not even or1n-
airy common sense. Now We wish it dis
uncty understood that, although we advo-
| cate phosphates and potash being pres
ent in excess, in preference to ever hav-
ing an excess of nitrogen; we by no means
advocate an excessive use or application
of any single one of them; nor of all com
olned. There is a happy medium beyond
which 1t is not profitable to go.
G. II. Turner