The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-03-26
FARMERAND PLANTER
FOR THE COTTON PLANTER.
Rational Fertilization of the Cotton
Plant as Opposed to IRA
tionn1 Methods.

iue term rauona tE used Synony-
nous with judicious, intelligent, and
profitable, and as opposed to irrational
methods, practices of any and every
Kind and character. For instance,
fertilizers are purchased ''irrationally"
when bought by the brand name In
stead of by the analysis. The brand
name has nothing to do with it. 1t
is the stuff inside the sack and not
the brand printed on the outside that
determines the value. They are pur-
chased ~irrationally whenever and
wherever low grade (S-2-1 or S-2-2
goods are bought under the SUPPOSE
ton that they are cheap. because CON-
paratively low In price.
On all old, well-worn soils, where
humus is deficient, a well-prepared
compost will give better results than
the more concentrated, purely chemical
fertilizer; and the same is equally true
of what are known as "black lands"
after they commence ~retrograding. In
stead of compost, the (either
stable or lott may be hauled out dur
Ing the winter and applied literally TO
the land-broadcast, then apply the
more concentrated chemical fertilizers
Just as II no manure had been applied.
On ordinary upland or well-worn
creek or branch bottom lands( lands
that make an average-sized stalk and
a yield Of from 400 to 800 or even 1000
pounds of seed cotton per acre. a
complete" fertilizer, analysing 1888
or 9-3-3 or 1924 will give far better
results than the lower grade 8-2-1 or
S-2-2 goods, Again, instead of using a
paltry 200 pounds of S-2-1 or S-2-2
goods per acre; 400 t 600 or even 800
or 1000 pounds of the higher-grade
goods may be used per acre with man
ifest advantage and positive profit.
On all rich lands, making a large
stalk and upward Of 1000 pounds seed
cotton per acre without fertilizer, the
nitrogen should be omitted and a
bone and potash" fertilizer analyz-
ing 1914 should be used at a rate of
about 1000 pounds per acre. We have
ourselves on this class of soils in
creased the yields from 1000 to 1920
pounds of seed cotton per acre by an
application of 900 pounds acid phos-
phate and 100 pounds of muriate of
per acre, applied broadcast. Two
per acre.
Although placing great reliance in
fertilizers of any and all kinds, we do
not believe that fertilizers ever did
or ever will put in their'yery best work
where humus is deficient, An album
dance of humus present in the soil is ,
essential to large crop yields, as two. :
and four bales per acre, but 5
where there is plenty Of humus, to- :
with a liberal amount of ap- !
,lied fertility, properly balanced, given :
ieep an thorough preparation, fire. 3
luent, yet shallow culture, good seed, Il
Ill work that is done at the right time
Ind in the right manner and a favor {
lble season, the four bales per acre n
be far more common than they a
low are. Whenever and wherever II
essentials can be brought to- c.
ether there is absolutely nothing to G
Under these truly enormous crop IL
fields being obtained on many thou G.
of acres scattered about here and II
here throughout the entire cotton belt. e.
t can not be done on every acre, but tt
18th the right kind of management, a
bales per acre can be made On each o.
nd every acre throughout the entire al
1uth that is adopted to cotton culture. al
Where rust abounds humus and pot D.
sh are both apt to be deficient, and
lis is the only instance we know of
here kainit acts better than does the
Plenty of potash in the soil al
Iduces such a vigorous and healthy NJ
that 1t renders the plant large pc
disease-resistant, or, in other words, I'd
lst-proof. At the Alabama expert 10
ent station in checking rust, 200 OF
FUNDS of kainit per acre was better en-
an 100 pounds, and LOG pounds bet ne
r and more beneficial than go pounds, ~
1899 the yield with potash was at We
ast double that Of the plots receiving al
ne of this material, but little of III
lich increase can be attributed to the W.
st retaining effect as potash. In US Na'
g potash as a preventive of rust, It WI,
ny be applied Immediately in advance an
planting, but would be better applied
the fall or early winter, or at least
geral weeks in advance of planting,
as to insure their diffusion through
8 soil. w
The more humus present the greater .ni
.ntity of fertilizer may be profit y
applied per acre, and conversely,
; less humus present the smaller 'p'
Of fertilizer that can be safe pio
used, and the greater the necessity ar'
a thorough preparation and cul- 'ef'
e that will insure as nearly as prac-
able a perfect mechanical condition "
the soil. uy
The figures 8-2-1 used refer to the net
centage of phosphoric acid, nitro ore'
and potash (plant food bought
fertilizers &c. H. Turner, in Farm rea