The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-12-28

NJ IaI1rS snort crop. with the prlCe
II OF the fieecy staple constantly ad
vancing. brings the question home
TO every southern farmer. How can
increase my crop next YEAR,"
Inc past season saw very nearly tho
iiilit reached so far as acreage Is con-
cerl'ed' Our farmers planted all they
could and many of them more than they
couio cultivate properly. In spite of the
increase III acreage. however. the crop
Is shorter than last year. The boil wee
VII. late spring, summer drought. and an
early frost have contributed to cut down
the yield. The supply is NOT eoual IN
the increasing demand, and We do not
know that 1t will be next year, Clearly
sttl further increa sed acreage will moi
do II Furthermore, we cannot greatly
increase fhe acreage, If we would for VIC
have not the labor with which to do the
work.
The only sure way to increase the szn
or the cotton crop In 1904 Is TO increase
the yield per acre; and we can do this
by 1etter preparation of this land and
an Increased use OF fertilizer. You can
begin this preparation now. Start Your
plows whenever the land is dry enough
10 work, and it does not have TO be quito
as dry now as Il does in the spring II
YOU have a big team and disc pillow,
put 1t to work breaking your land broad
cast. If you are limited to one horse,
bed out our land as deeply as possible
and then rebcd 1t next spring before you
plant This winter work will help you to
ct your land into better shape IN the
spring 1t will also enable you TO prepare
more land, and plant it earlier. Every
cotton grower knows that if he can get
his crop started early he stands a much
letter chance to make = good crop.
Il is n good plan, where land is broken
IN the fail o. winter with a big plow.
10 work It ND well on tho surface in
me spring With a cutaway or disc har
gow followed with a smoothing harrow
or drag. Then lay off your rows the
desired width and plant your cotton In
me mrrow. covering 1t lightly. By
planting IN the firrcw the after cultiva-
vation can be kept more level. and tho
crop viii stand drought better.
Eefore the seed are planted. however.
0c must 10: forget about the fertilizer.
rhts more than anything else, will help
fo increase the yield over what it would
otherwise be Two hundred pounds Of
-cano per acre is tho usual amount: but
$50 want moro than the usual crop or
cotton. SO mus. use more fertilizer. On
We'll iEti' tEt1 lanl We Ntn apply fot
pounds 70 600 pounds per acre. with the
assurance that II viii pay. aud pay
l1ndsomcly. We have heretofore appar-
nifty hecn satisfied with ono bale of cotton
% every 3 acres Of land. AZ east that
g ahop what We have been making on
an average. Now that we want more
cotton. We cannot depend upon the old
meth pds te make st. 1t would not he
wise 20 increase the acroago Tnct even
IS We could: for we must grow something
besides cotton But We can make Il bale
go every ? instead of 3 acres, and
81 VIC try a bale per acre or even bette
;hcn that After all this IS really easier
and much more satisfactory than in
.rvasins tie acreage We hire tLe fer
tllzer 10 do the work Instead of tho
negro. that is all.
Now the kind 81 fertilizer 90 use for
hest results must depend somewhat on
the character of your soil II your land
: rod clay tho fertilizer should snatyze
about S per cent available rhosphorc
acid. , per cent ammonia and 2's pov
cent potash. For medium loan soil the
potash should te increased. also the am
monia II you mix your own feruiixer
the following is an excellent formula
and easy 30 remember aud prepare Take
+ 900 rounds "a per cent acid phosphate,