The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-10-23
When and How.

we have been told by very good au-
thorlty that there is a time for every
thlng, and we think it equally true
That there is correct way of doing
everything. 1t sometimes makes a
vast difference whether a thing is done
al the proper time. For instance. a
delay OF very few days i'm the culti-
VatlOn OF crop may result in an in
ferior product, while if it had been
done at the proper time and in the
proper manner the outcome would
nave been crop satisfactory in every
respect. The best time for DESTROYING
weeds is before they have become well
rooted, and have full possession of the
SOIL. Indeed, it is we'll that the ground
be stirred before they root at all. and
the result will be better crop. SO
also, the destruction of injurious in
sects should be attended to as soon as
they appear 1t also makes a great
difference sometimes about the time Of
applying fertilizers to the soil, espe-
cIally highly concentrated ones Some
crops are more liable to be injured by
the fertilizer coming in immediate
contact with their roots. and with
such, great care should be exercised
In the case of potash, especially in
the form of kainit, it is advisable to
make the application some weeks be-
fore the crop is to be planted in order
that the elements may be well incor
porated with the soil and not come ia
contact with the seed or tender roots
of the plants. Concentrated manure
should never be applied at planting
time lest the termination be injured
or perhaps wholly destroyed There
of 81 4 or,
phosphoric acid or potash by applying
it sometimes before the crop is to be
planted for they will remain in the
soil and be ready to be assimilated by
the plants. Both potash and bone may
be applied with advantage abe fall be-
fore an early crop is to be planted.
On the other hand, we would not ap-
ply nitrate Of soda any length Of time
before the plants require it, as 1t IS
soluble and much of it might be lost
by teaching.
In case of strawberries. we have had
the very best results and increased the
crop bv actual test 25 to 50 per cent by
APPLYING it soon after the plants com
mence growing in the spring. SIX
weeks or two months before the crop
is to be removed.
We have had excellent results on
the hay crop by applying the nitrate
soon after the grass begins to grow.
Two hundred pounds per acre IS suf-
ticient for Strawberries or grass. Win
ASPARAGUS the case is different, and
we would make the application when
we stopped cutting for the season and
worked the bed. Being applied at this
time seems to be most beneficial. as It
seems to strengthen the crowns and
puts them in good condition for the
next years crop.
There is need of exercising much
good Judgment in all these things. ana
no ironclad rules can be laid down
which woulr cover all conditions, Tor
what will do for one locality or crop
might not be the right thing tor an
other 1t is necessary for every one
who would be a progressive a2rlcui-
turist to observe what others do. ana
fry the methods which seem better
than those which he is practising Lei
him 90 little experimenting 10 nn'
OF, what is best. 1t will be we'll 70
notice the experiments Of others ana
make use of their experience. ENperl-
ence is a good teacher. but sometimes
exDensive: therefore. when one can
profit by the experience OF another
he should avail himself of the oDpor-
tunity-
The writer was much interested the