Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1903-03-06

FERTILIZER FOR cow PEAS.

\~~N0S1Seu 1EOm bulletin OF the ".
G. Experiment StatioR)
The cow-pea has been 80 long
known in Georgia as reuoya.
tor OF exhausted soils, and is so com.
monty recommended for green ma
nuring, that many imagine that this
plant needs no fertilizer to assist In
Its own growth.
Although It draws nitrogen from
the air for its own use, fer each pound
OF this ingredient 1t requires more
than a pound Of potash and consider.
able Dhosnhoric acid, each Of which
1t must receive artiacially where not
supplied La the needed quantity by
the soil. A part Of the nitrogen nee
essary for complete growth must also
come from the SOIL II there be lack
Of nitrogen. the beans will take on a
ye!low'sh hue. ana tho plant will in.
dicats its lack of vig0r by q general
sickly appearance. About Is pounds
OF nitrate OF soda applied to each
acre will prove q quick remedy for
this trouble.
Trials At the Louisiana Experiments
Station have showne that one acre of
average cow-peas contains 65 pounds
Of nitrogen. Ill pounds OF potash and
20 pounds Of phosphoric acid, OF which
the roots and stubble alone contain
8 pounds OF nitrogen, Is pounds of
potash and pounds OF phosphoric
acid. These figures vary. OF course,
with different yields. but represent
about the average.
There Is always some waste In the
application Of fertilizers and It has
been ascertained by many experiments
that in order to enable cow-peas to
take up and aSsimilate 65
pounds CT nitrogen. there must
be provided about 167 pounds of
actual potash and 40 pounds of phos-
phoric acid. which are equivalent to
334 pounds Of muriate Of potash and
900 pounds OF acid phosphate.
Phosphate and potash fertilizers
should always be applied before the
seed is planted, whetGeApthis be done
broadcast or in drills.
A good mixture for cow-peas is 300
pounds Of acid phosphate and 100
pounds OF muriate Of potash per acre;
or. II kaipit is substituted fer mu-
riate. 400 pounds will be required to
fYJCr ieh AR
potash.
Where q commercial brand OF fer
tilizer Ia used for c0w-peaa, perhaps
the best proportions on average soils
are. about 8 per cent. Of available
phosproric acid and per cent actual
potash, applied at the rate OF 400 to
500 pounds to the acre and thoroughly
naked In the soil before the peas are
SoTn.
II the young plants present sick.
ly appearance. about Is pounds of nj.
trate OF soda. mixed with four or Ave
times Its bulk Of dry earth. should
be used as a top dressing.
On sandy soils. when cow-peas are
to be planted, good use can be made
Of 500 TO 600 pounds OF kainlt and
300 to $50 pounds of ACID phosphate
to the acre. II muriate of potash be
used in place Of kainit, 1876 to $50
pounds will answer. On dry soils less
potash and more phosphoric acid may
be used.
Planting ceW.peaa.
Cow-peas may be planted any time
in the spring when the soil IT, warm
enough for planting beans and there
after until within two months Of the
time when fall frosts are expected.
According to common saying.
Early planting makes vines, but late
planting makes peas" So the farmer
will be guided In his choice of time
fer planting by the purpose for which
he plants.
In dry season or IN a naturally
loose. dry land. deep planting is ad-
visable. II seed be cheap and labor
SCARCE broadcasting IL usually the
better plan: but when seed IL dear and
labor <Ieap. drilling pays better.
WAeTe crab grass 10 AbunaAaA De-