Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-06-30
FertiiizinR the Corn Crop.

FertiiiZing the Corn Crop.
The editor Of Practical Farmer sayst
Many farmers have gotten so accus-
toned to the use OF the convenient
commercial fertilizers that they have
come to the conclusion that with every
crop planted il is necessary TO use
some complete fertilizer. and daily we
get letters from farmers in all parts
OF the country asking for formula
for fertilizer for the corn crop. We
have In years past experimental large
ly In fertilizers for various crops and
in no instance have we ever found that
complete fertilizer of nitrogen. phos-
phOric acid and potash. ever paid its
cost to the corn crop. Experiments
made during a series OF years at the
Ohio Experiment Station have shown
the sane results. OF course, the appli-
cation Of a complete commercial fer
tilizer will increase the crop OF corn.
but II the farmer will have test pla.
unfertillzed we are certain that he
will find that the increased crop did
not pay the cost Of the complete fer
tilizer. A constant dependence on the
commercial fertilizers simply for the
production of crops for sale is not good
farming. The true Office OF CONNER
cial fertilizers Is to enable us the bet
ter to improve our lands through the
growing Of legunles for forage and
thus to Increase the amount Of the
home made manure. The cOrnfield IL
the place where the home made ma
nure can be the most prOfitably used.
and 1t should there 60 broadcast with
manure spreader. and should have
the further aid of a clover sod. In the
Middle States and North this will be
red clover and In the South, where the
corn follows the cotton crop, 1t should
be crimson clover or vetch sOwn
among the cotton the fall before. Then
the cultivation of the corn crop will
be the best possible preparation Of the
soil for the sowing Of fall grain. Acid
phosphate and potash on the clover
will make the complete fertilizer for
the corn more cheaply than the use Of
factory mixed complete article, In
which the nitrogen Is the most costly
part. and which in the way we have
outlined we get practically free.
The Use Of Lime on Land.
Some OF those who have lime to sell
in Ohio are advertising it as a fertil-
izer. claiming that 1t is better and
cheaper than phosphate" The Ohio
experiment station would earnestly
warn all farmers against using lime as
substitute for manure or fertilizers.
When used as an adjunct to liberia!
manuring or fertillzlng. lime may be
| made to perform a most important
| service, but its use as substitute for
manure or fertilizer means ruin to tie
| soil. Where clover is failing to grow.
| the use OF lime is indicated. For this
purpose the common quick lime Is all
| that Is required. A very convenient
form Of lime Is made In some parts Of
the State by grinding quick-lIme into a
| coarse meal. This can be applied with
the fertilizer drill or the manure
spreader. using about 1000 pounds per
| acre. 1t costs $3.50 to $3.50 per ton at
the kilns. 1t must not be expected that
lime will bring prosperity to the clover
crop. In the Ohio cations expert
ments lime produces very little effect
! on clover Oh unfertilized land. Man
ure or fertilizer must first be used be-
fore lime will produce any lasting ben
eft
Farmers should not be misled by the
claim that certain methods Of prepar-
ing lime will prevent Its injurious "f-
feet. II those methods do what II
claimed for them, they will prolonS
and increase that effect. and the sp-
parent increase Of crop which follows
the application Of such lines will be
paid for by certain and more com
plete degeneration Of the soil. Lime IL
not a fertilizer and its use as fer
tllizer will bring ultimate loss, Ohio
Station.
A FOur-HOrse Evener.
observing in the Hints and De-
vices department several methods for
hitiching four horses to plow CON