The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1903-10-02
FOR THE FARMERS.
DIR. ii. Il. StOckbridge Answers
Some Pertinent Questions.

some PefClnenU questions.
| MOsT ECONOMICAL FERTILIZERS.
For use on winter truck crops, where
the grower wishes to purchase and
mix his own raw materials, which is
the most economical form in which
to buy each of the three essentials,
at present market prices? Is the
| practice of hOme-miXing commend
able?
ANSWER. Acid phosphate, ~ to 10
per cent available, Castor pomace
and nitrate of soda, and high-grade
sulphate of potash are the cheapest
present sources of the three plant
food essentials. 1t is always well to
combine an organic form of nitrogen
with mineral form. You are thus
given two forms of nitrogenous ferti-
lizer to select from. The nitrate acts
most quickly as a starter, the castor
pomance is the cheapest and comes
in as the standby.
AS rule from $500 to $1,000 may
be saved over the actual cest of fer
tilizing materials by home-miXing.
The cost Of the labor of yourself and
help must be considered, however,
also wear and tear of tools. Except
in small quantities we believe that
in the long run you can afford to pay
"a competent manufactures for doing
your mixing, but should stipnlate
what you want and insist on a guar
antee that you get 1t.
DWARF ESSEX RAPE. Is this a
good winter soiling crop?
ANSWER. So far as value of feed
is concerned this crop stands among
the best for green feed, either as pas
ture or for soiling. 1t is, properly
speaking, not cover crop, though
growing all winter, as it thrives best
when sown in drills and given some
cultivation. 1t may be sown from
August till January, and gives good
feed in less than two months. 1t is
nearly as hardy as the winter grains.
MILK FEVER. Is there a cure for
this frequent disease of mich cows?
ANSWER. This disease, which is a
form of appopleXy, attacking cows
Immediately after dropping their
calves, has till recently been so very
fatal as to be practically incurable,
yet so prevalent as to carry off cows
in every section yearly. 1t as a rule
attacks only the very best mixers
and then only those in the best con-
dition, plethoric state at the time
of calving being the chief predispos-
ing cause.
The disease has recently been prov
en- to result from toxic condition of
the contents of the udder. The pois-
on generated therein becomes fatal
in few hours unless counteracted.
1t has been discovered that the TO-
dide of potash is a perfect neutrali-
ger of this poison, acting as a sure
specific. A solution of drains in l
pint of warm water should be inject
ed into the udder through the teats.
Apparatus made expressly for the
purpose may be purchased, for about
81. .25, of any large dealer in surgical
No owner of valuable cows can
afford to remain without this protec-
tion.
WEAvILs IN CORN. Is there SIM
pie and effective means Of protection
against this pest?
ANSWER. The most effective of
the simple means of protection is to
slip-shuck the corn in the usual way;
but before it is put in the crib pile
in small piles of about six bushels,
either in the field or yard, let it be
exposed to either rain or repeated
dews till it heats well at the bottom,
then turn the piles upside down and
let them heat again. This short sea-
son of heating or sweating, will not
effect the grain but is sufficient to
kill most of the weaviI eggs. 1t does
not furnish perfect protection for the
whole season, but reduces the trouble
to low point, and is so simple as to
commend itself to general practice
II. E, Stockbridge.