Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-16
Talks LUith Farmers
Conducted BY c. H. Jordan
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should have no hesitation I'm undertaking
10 grow crops and maintain soil fertility
with fertilizers under almost any condi-
lions where l should be willing to attempt
the same results with stable manure. To
secure success with fertilizers ono must
inform himself as to the qualities Of fer
tilizers and select such as viii do tho
work ne desires. If properly selected and,
used I think the results are as lasting
with fertilizers as with manure, and l
have tested them side by side for the pur-
pose OF observation. When fertilizers arc
used sufficient provision must be made to
maintain the supply of humus I'm the soil,
and also TO correct soil acidity. which is
more likely to occur with fertilizers than
stable manure. This is especially true of
fertilizers as they have been compounded
heretofore. It may be possible 10 so COM
pound them as TO obviate their tendency
10 produce soil acidity. In the present
light on the subject have concluded TO
discard the use Of forms of potash con-
tanning chlorine, hoping thus to attain
that result. / think many cases of sup
posed soil exhaustion by the use OF COM
merGial fertilizers are only soil acidity.
NY own experience leads me to this con-
clusion. After I had used fertilizers sew
eraI years I found the results were not as
good as at first. Neither would crops grow
as well when stable manure was used.
From statements about lining land TO
correct soil acidity, given out by the agri-
cultural stations (more especially the
Rhode Island statiOn) 1 was led to test
my soil with htmus paper for acidity. l
found the soil was quite sour / then
sought to find the least expensive way to
supply lime for the cure. I live where
lime cannot be obtained cheaply; the best
I could do was about 50 per ton for caustic
lime at the railroad station. IL I bought
air-slaked lime the increase of weight for
actual lime and the consequent increased
cost Of freight made the cost Of actual
lime just about the same. I found upon
investigation that wood ashes were about
One-third lime, and allowing for the value
Of potash and phosphoric acid in the
aches, and considering also that the ashes
are already in good condition for spread
ing. I decided to use Canada ashes. 1 ap-
piled about .One ton per acre with good
results. and the next year I repeated the
dose.
The result Is. my land. some of which
never had as much as one good dressing
Of manure in the is years I have cult
waited IL. now grows fine crops of hay. One
lot produced three tons per acre at first
cutting. and one ton per acre of rowen
this year which has been very favorable
for hay i'm this vicinity. I use each year
in spring on grass a dressing Of fertilizer
costing from s. TO s. per acre. One great
reason for the belief that the use of com
mercial fertilizer produces exhaustion Of
the soil Is the fact that users do not gen.
orally apply enough. Farmers who do not
think OF applying Jess than five cords Of
manure per acre for corn. and spread
most Of IL broadcast. will expect 400 TO so
pounds Of fertilizer per acre dropped i'm
without exhausting the soil. IL they should
rot down the manure to make it fine and
quickly available TO the crop. and then
try to grow corn by using only a small
shovelful to each hill. they would find
soil exhaustion approaching just as rap
idly as by the use OF 400 TO Geo pounds Of
fertilizer per acre. When using fertilizer
for corn I try to get one that will yield
Up its plant food gradually throughout the
growing season. and apply LOCO to 1500
pounds broadcast: then use a small guam
" OF some more quickly-acting fertilizer
in the hill. Such an application will be
likely to bring a good crop of corn and
leave the soil improved instead of Ueplet-
Led. For potatoes I use a more active fer
tilizer. 100 to l.SO0 pounds per acre. and
apply in the drill. Potatoes have only
short growing season. an need their food
near by and ready for use. SO i'm all cases
the farmer VINO aims to get best results
must consider the needs Of his crops and
select the fertilizers to supply those needs
and make the supply abundant. I former
" kept u TO Is cows and three horses, but
a few years ago / sold all my cows but
one. and now rely almost entirely upon
fertilizers TO keep up tie fertility Of the
farm My reason for selling the cows was
inability to attend TO the dairy and also
TO the fruit growing. which / now make
my leading farm crop. still cut as much
anaK sell This
year ] cut about IS tons. l will recapitu-
late the points which / consider neces-
saTy TO secure success with fertilizers:
Select such fertilizers as will supply the
needs Of the crops. and use them abund-
antly. and mainly broadcast. Watch for
acidity of soil. and correct it by applying
lime in some form. Keep the land COW
cred with some crop all the time. summer
and winter. which will go far to keep up
the supply OF humus but il humus be-
comes deficient pillow I'm a crop OF some
kind, preferably some legume.
NJ MORSE.
Massachusetts,.
r. y. Y.-Mr. Morse gives a very clear
statement OF the method of farming that
is followed by many eastern farmers. We
do not consider that further argument is
needed TO demonstrate the possibilities of
fertilizer farming Still IL must be admit
ted that this system Is a matter of local
ity. convenience or inclination. younger
man or one naturally inclined to stock
raising might do better with sheep. or
hOgs-obtaining his supplies from manure.
That Is a matter which each farmer must
settle for himself The yearly profit on
these fertilizer farms will probably aver
age higher than that from farms employ
ing equal capital in stock raising or gem
o-al farming. That is our conviction af-
ter going over many farm figures care
fully II "A man dpcides tn uza chemical
his chief source OF plant food he may
well keep in nina the points made by Mr.
Morse. Only nigh grade chemicals should
be used and enough Of them must be ap-
piled. The supply Of humus I'm the soil
must De kept up and this can usually be
done by means OF catch crops" or crops
grown between two money crops The
tendency of this sort % farming is TO
sour the land and lime or ashes should
be used at intervals. Mr.. Morse finds