The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-06-03

Taking every item on the farm, there
is probably none in which the maxim
knowledge is Power" manifests itself so
much as in the use of fertilizers, says the
Farmers Review. There is really moth
ing complicated about the principles of
feeding plants, and 1t is due almost en-
tirely to ignorance that so many mistakes
and failures occur. A soil may be al
most destitute of plant food, and still fail
to respond to applications, simply be-
cause of lack OF judgment or ignorance
in using them. 1t must be understood,
at the outset, that plants dan only take
up their nourishment in liquid form,
therefore before fertilizers can be of
one particle of benefit to the growing crop,
they must be changed from the solid 10
the liquid form. Every opportunity should
be given to facilitate this change. If the
soil contains plenty of moisture at the
time OF planting, the fertilizer WILL of
course dissolve rapidly and be ready for
the tiny plants just at the time they need
some nourishment to give them a strong,
healthy start. On the other hand, If the
soil is dry at seeding time, the fertilizers
will not pass into liquid condition, and
the crop is deprived of the food 1t needs,
and this is drawback not usually over
come during the entire season, and results
usually in much reduced yields. Again,
there is even a possibility of injury en-
suing in dry season when fertilizers are
applied at seeding time. The plants just
as they are sprouting are tender. and
may be injured by coming in contact with
crude fertilizers The remedy for all this,
then, is to apply the fertilizers before
planting time, in order 90 give opportunity
for them to become dissolved and spread
through the soil. There are some fertiliz-
ers, though, that are so soluble that they
cannot be applied before planting time
otherwise they would leach out of the soil
and be lost to the crop. A few words,
then, about the distinctions of the differ
ent classes may enable farmers TO follow
these suggestions without danger of loss
The three plant foods which have to be
supplied are phosphoric acid, potash and
nitrogen. Phosphoric acid can be used In
the form of acid phosphate, dissolved
bone, ground bone, and bone black. These
materials can all be used several weeks
before planting time. and worked into the
soil. 1t is best to work them in, as there
may be loss from surface washings and
again, by Working them in they are with
in easy reach of the plant roots. The
forms of potash are, muriate OF potash,
sulphate OF potash, sulphate of potash
ma gnesia and kainft. These products also
give better results when used in the same
way as Inc pnoSpnoflc acid. In tact au-
thorities recommend that the potash and
phosphoric acid should be applied to-
gether several weeks before the seeds are
planted. There is little danger Of these
mineral fertilizers washing out OF the
soil, since they form new compounds In
the soil and remain there until taken up
by the crops. With nitrogen, though. spe-
cial care has TO be given. Take nitrate OF
soda, which is the most soluble and
quickest acting form Of nitrogen and
therefore best suited for practical use II
should only be applied at a time when
the plant is in need Of nitrogen. The eff
feet OF nitrogen Is 10 stimulate growth
end hasten plants TO early maturity. II
Is TO be seen, therefore, that nitrate OF
soda possesses special advantages for
truck growers and others who wish 20 get
their crops on the market early In the
season so as 10 secure the highest prices.
" hich usually prevail then.
Summing the whole matter up, II IL
simply this. that potash and phosphoric
acid should be applied before planting
time and worked into the soil. and the
nitrate OF soda used as a top-drossing az
forwards. The plan Of mixing the mater
ials with several times their bulk OF dry
earth before applying Is followed. TIE
earth odds nothing Of value 70 the ma
serials, but increases the bulk and ena-