Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-10
SOME FERTILIZER PROBLEMS.

In nearly al the cotton-growing states
east Of the Mississippi river the fertilizer
item Is quite a large one TO tbe cotton pro-
ducers- Georgia leading first. followed BY
Alabama South Carolina. North Carolina,
Mississippi and Florida I'm the order NAM
cd Georgia farmers consume as much
guanO any two OF the other states
named. and One-third as much as all OF
them put together. Our fertilizer bin in
this state last year amounted TO about
81. o0o. 600. equivalent 20 the value Of nearly
So9.oo0 bales OF cotton.
When Georgia farmers have to pay
nearly one-third OF the entire cotton crop
Of the state for commercial fertilizers. II
becomes a matter Of such vital import
ance that Il should command the serious
attention Of our people Particularly Is
this true when during last year Georgia
farmers used $4,000 tons Of guanO and
made no more cotton than they did few
years ago. when but little more than half
that amount was used. The question nat
uraliy arises. is the enormous amount or
commercial fertilizers which we are now
using paying a profit on the investment?
Can any Of the states named AFFORD TO
rapidly increase their annual fertilizer
bills unless by 50 doing a corresponding
Increase in the output Of cotton is cores
pondingIy gained2 do not think the ques-
ton admits Of argument Either one OF
two things must be true. We are paying
too much money for the value OF the fer
tiIizers we are now using or our lands are
annually growing poorer and IL requires
more fertilizers per acre TO grow and ma
ture the same amount OF cotton. AS the
price OF guano is advancing and the price
OF cotton rfdliing. the farmers in either
even are as usual getting the worst OF
tbs bargain.
A Serious Situation.
In Georgia. we produced about as much
cotton in $50 as we did in 1900 yet the
purchase OF guanO in 1s90 was hardly more
than half what II was last year. The
other states are having about the same
experience. The big increase in cotton
production has been principally west OF
the Mississippi. where the use OF CONNER
cial fertilizers Is totally unknown
Texas. ten years ago. raised but little
cotton comparatively. while in 800 she
marketed one-third OF the entire southern
crop. including the output from Oklahoma
and Indian Territory. II we continue the
use OF commercial fertilizers for the next
fifteen or twenty years at the same ratio
OF increase noted I'm the past ten years.
without any corresponding increase in
cotton production. IL viii take about all
the cotton we make 10 meet the demands
or the fertilizer people. II the farmers
then. as now. continue to buy so much
western bread and meat where viii the
money come from 70 settle the bills?
II IS time 10 sit down and ponder seri-
ousiy on the course we are gradually
drifting. Many. people contend that there
s no need OF crossing a bridge untiF you
get 70 IL. but Il Is well enough to inquire
ahead and find out whether or not the
bridge viii be strong enough to cross on
when we do reach IL. II is a fact well es-
tablished. and long ago demonstrated 10
the satisfaction OF every man who has
- 81 Lev de
cannot be built up and improved BY the
use OF commercial fertilizers alone. The
application OF guanO to the drill stimu-
lates the growing plant but after the
crop IS gathered the fertility OF the soil
Is no better on than before the crop was
planted j refer in this connection more
particularly 10 the cultivation OF cotton
which occupies about 'three-fourths Of the
area OF our cultivated lands.
A Cabbage Pest.
American Agriculturalist.
Cabbage growers throughout the south
and central states for a number OF years
past have had their crops badly injured
By an insect known as the harlequin or
terrapin bug. Ii came to this
country from some Of the Cen
trial American states and made
its first appearance about thirty-five
years ago In Texas. IL has gradually
spread north and west and is now known
IN northern Ohio II attacks cabbage
and other allied plants by sucking the
juices from the tissues. causing the
leaves 20 wilt and die. giving a field the
appearance OF having been fired.
The insects have the habit Of cluster
ing upon a leaf IL deposits its eggs in
punches Of 10 20 u each The young be-
Gin feeding Immediately after emerging.
u spends the winter in the adult form.
living I'm any secluded place where it
finds protection IL Is difficult TO de-
stroy. as Il cannot be reached with any
n ehe ordinary poisonous solutions.
Even kerosene emulsion. whale oil soap
and tobacco water have not been found
thoroughly successful. Manipulating has
given best results. although IL Is a tedi-
GUS and quite expensive operation in
large areas TIE insect can also be
trapped upnI certain crops such as mus
tara radishes and kale. II has partic-
ular liking for the latter crop. AS kale
can be planted I'm the fan and carried
over winter it Is one Of the earliest
plants 10 AFFORD the insects food in the