The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-10-23
Agriculture.
ECONOMY IN FEEDING PLANTS.

~
Tf-hc wastes of the average farm
,,,,r1 he converted into cash each
-os~ what u difference they would
-,.r... in the farmers bank account.
The trouble Is though, that not one
- -.~ knows how these leaks occur,
hem, their stoppase is extremely
di-t.E-.
r. rruy in all departments on the
+.~.. s., naturally the only remedy,
r-- .-nw.ng when and how to prac-
-i,s the economy is not the most
-,.,--.. matter in the world. Innine
r.-., ont of ten when farmer
wishes t. cut down expenses the first
m,-. he makes is to reduce his fer
+f4-.r bill. This is the proper step
som times. but it will always be
worth a farmers while to make
T-r-a investigation before taking
sucn a radical step. The farmer
thinks that because he is spending
-wo hundred dollars year for fer
+r..rs he can save that amount
which he considers extra expense.
If the expenditure of two hundred
dollars does not pay interest on the
investment. then by all means, cut
--." ON the other hand though, if
rra -~p hundred dollars produce an
increase in the crop equal to more
than the outlay, then it would be
DOOR economy or rather stupidity to
+rvr lop off expenses in that direc-
ton. A. matter of fact this money
would It represent an expense, but
should be considered an investment
with strong chances of proving
profitable
What really should be done though
by every farmer Is to try and find
out If the money invested for fertili-
zer Is bringing as much profit as it
should In other words, endeavOr
10 learn if he is using the cheapest
and most available forms of the
thr.a essential fertilizer ingredients,
nitr -en. phoSphoric acid and pot
ash. mi applying them at the time
an IN the manner and proportion to
proL.ce tire highest returns. These
points are of great importance be
cau-. it i a known fact that land
ma- be almost destitute of plant
fo. and still fail to produce paying
cr~~if bad Judgment is used in feed
iug tile crops.
IT l. not only necessary to study.
tho needs of the crops so far as their
requirements of nitrogen, phOs-
phnr.r acid, and potash are con-
cgru.d. but it is equally important
To ~rgdv the. individual action Of
ea.l nj the different forms Of these
-o-r.l l.entS on every crop and the
r.- .~. Of the sources from which
tho. are derived. For example, to-
h... needs nitrogen and plenty Of
if. E.w. stable manure Is valued
rr- Daily for its nitrogen, but if
pm II tobacco, stable manure pro
....- heavy thick leaf Of inferior
E.- AMI poor burning quality. On
H.. -aer hand nitrate of soda, which
-- readily available, quick-acting
t.ru pf nitrogen, makes a clear leaf
.. .z.ellent aroma and flavor.
With Irish potatoes a somewhat
~.-rarexperieuce is met with. Barn
yard munures cannot be safely used
rr~goDly nitrogen because being a
perfect hiding and breeding place for
microbes which produce ''scab'' in
potatoes, they bring about this
dreaded disease. Truckers, there
fore usually depend on chemical
form Of nitrogen like nitrate of soda,
which is pure and at the same time
soluble and quick acting, two quail
ties If Importance to those engaged
n raising early vegetables for the
market.
Similar illustrations can be made
with potash and phOsphoric acid. On
aran-eS and tobacco for example,
forms of potash like the muriate
which contains chlorine have to be
avoided, and sulphate of potash ed in
stead With phosphoric acid care
has to be taken that the material Is
raadlIy soluble and available to the
..aut at time when needed, other
wise the crop will suffer for lack Of
n9urishment. Availability has much
.r do with regulating the size OF the
crop. There are times, especially
during dry weather, when if the