The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-09-02
Vnlue of Fertilizers.

The value OF artificial feruliZers de-
pends upon the season during which
they are applied. In the case of ground
bone phosphate of lime) the particles
are given off very slowly, and the fall
is. therefore, the proper time for its ap-
plication, In order that the action Of
frosts, air, moisture and heat may
more completely render 1t appropriate
as plant food. With phosphate,
which is ground bone rendered soluble
with the aid of sulphuric acid, there
will be more or less loss Of soluble
matter from frequent washing Of the
soil by rains and melting SHOWS. Yet,
on majority of farms the application
of super-phosphate is made in the fall
for the reason that 1t is more conven-
lent to drill 1t in along with the wheat.
The loss of soluble matter, however,
depends upon the condition and prep
aration of the soil. If the ground has
been deeply and finely prepared but
little danger will ensue from surface
washing, as a few rains early in the
fall will carry down the phosphate
from the surface. But the water that
finds its outlet below the soil neces-
sarily dissolves and carries away, be-
yond the reach of plans, a proportion
Of the soluble matter, which cannot be
avoided If the super-phosphate is ap-
piled at the time Of sowing wheat in
the fall.
There is one advantage, however.
(which prevents much Of the loss, and
that is the fact that super-phosphate
usually reverts in the soil. To explain,
1t will be stated that the phosphoric
acid, being in a free state, and unable
to combine with the lime, which Is uni
ted with the sulphurlc acid, attacks
other substances in the soil that serve
as bases, and form insoluble phos-
pilates again, potash, soda and lime
previously existing in the soil serving
for that purpose, but recombinations
result in the formation of matter which
is in a minutely divided condition, so
much so as to quickly enable the re-
verted phosphoric acid to be easily
available as plant food, as reverted
phosphates are also soluble in some
vegetable acids. Thus, while there is
danger Of loss by solubility Of parti-
cles, yet this is partially prevented by
new combinations, although there is at
least n partial loss.
With the nitrogenous compounds.
however, the case is different. The
sulphate of ammonia and nitrate OF
soda, which are fori. : of commercial
nitrogen, are very sol. and easily
taken away by the rains. as they do
not revert and form insoluble COM
pounds. For that reason such fertiliz-
ers should not be applied at all In the
fall, as too large proportion of the
fertillzing matter would be lost, there
by rendering them too expensive COM
pared with the results derived from
their use. But such fertilizers, If ap-
piled in the spring, after the season is
well opened, are at once quickly ap.
propriated by the growing plants, and
thereby prevented from being lost. AS
with nitrogen, so with potash, the CON-
pounds Of which are very soluble.
Hard subsols, however, serve to ar,
rest and retain much of the escapin.
material. but such subsoils are usual,
cold and late in advancing the crops, i
being apparent that they require drain
age, which, while warming the solli
and allowing the escape Of surplus
moisture, also permits of the waste OF
fertilizing material. Light soils allow
of the greatest wasteage, and should
| be fertilized in the fall very cautiously,
| In the application of fertilizers IL will
be found more economical to use finely
ground bone at this season and the sol.
uble fertilizers in the spring. If the
matter of the use Of fertilizers were
given the consideration in this respect
that 1t deserves there would be better
results. 1t is not inferred that super.
phosphate should not be applied In the
fall. but that 1t is more ECONOMICAL ID
do 80 in the spring, In order to avoid
the risk of loss from excess Of moist!
ure.-Philadclphia Record.