The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-28
FERTILIZERS AND STRAWBERRIES.

FERTILIZERS AND STRAWBERRIES.
From an experience of 20 years in
strawberry culture. l have learned that
it is impossible to get maximum results
by using stable manure alone. The soil,
by repeated groupings. has been robbed
Of the three elements most essential to
the growing of strawberries as we'll as
other crops, and stable manure does not
supply these elements in the right pro-
portions. There is very apt to be an
excess Of nitrogen and not enough phos-
phoric acid and potash, especially pot
ash, in the manure to supply the needs
of the plants. Further than this, we
know that strawberries are more sus-
ceptible to blight and mildew and dis
ease of the foliage when stable manure
is applied directly to the strawberry bed
a little before or while ale plants are
growing. | do not wish to be under
stood as opposed to stable manure;
believe in making and using all we can,
but instead of applying it directly to
the plants the year they are set out. L
should very much prefer to use it liber-
ally on the corn crop that should pre-
cede the crop of Strawberries. Stable
manure supplies the elements of humus
which cannot be supplied in concentrat-
ed or commercial fertilizers. Humus is
quite necessary to the healthy growth of
the plants, and must be supplied either by
barn manure or from crops like clover
peas, &c, plowed under.
A good home made concentrated fer
tilizer can be gotten up by mixing to-
gether 1000 pounds of acid phosphate,
900 pounds nitrate of soda and 400 pounds
of either muriate or sulphate of potash.
These materials can be ordered through
the local agents of any of the fertilizer
companies. We use, and recommend for
the average farmer a ready made fertil-
lzer such as is sold to market gardeners
or to potato growers. For the past few
years we have been using a grade which
analyses $50 per cent. nitrogen, per
cent. phosphoric acid and 10 per cent.
potash. This fertilizer retails for $S1.75
per ton. The homemade mixture above
referred to would analyze $50 per cent.
nitrogen, per cent. phosphoric acid
and 10 per cent potash. and one could
very soon tell which would be cheaper to
buy by getting prices of the elements
from the agent.
/ unhesitatingly advise the average far
mer to buy the ready mixed goods, be-
cause all that can possibly be gained is
the cost Of mixing and possibly knowing
the source from which the fertilizing ele-
ments are derived. The disadvantage of
improper mixing and tho increased cost,
because of buying at retail prices, will
more than offset these. My experience
is that home made fertilizers are gcner-
ally more raw and cause more damage
to the plants than ready mixed goods;
in fact, / have lost more by using them
than I have ever gained.
Unless a person uses judgment in the
time of applying concentrated fertilizers
to Strawberries, the quantity to apply
and how to apply it, he will often lose
more than he will make. The year 1900
was very dry. A friend used four tons
OF high grade fertilizer on eight acres of
berries. putting it on in the spring, as
soon as the snow went off, to the plants
that were going to bear At the same
time I applied half this quantity to an
equal acreage. My friend injured his
crop by the heavy application, the roots
III
my crop was not injured at all and was
excellent. l once marked large piece
for strawberries and scattered at the rate
- one ton to the acre OF home mixed
goods right on the mark, cultivating it
in with a fine toothed Planet, Jr., culti-
vator. The piece was remarked in the
same place and the plants set in. Every
time rain came the roots would shrivel
from the excess of fertilizer, and all the
plants died out except those on the high
est portions where the moisture could
readily run off. But the crop of berries
from these scattered portions was i'm
mense. I would not advise the use of IL
tons of high grade goods to the acre,
where the previous crops had been well
MANFRED, but when the soil is rather
poor, think one ton of the above named
goods can be safely applied, when put
on at frequent intervals, not too much
ct any ono time A part should be put on