The Lexington advertiser., 1904-03-17
FARMER AND PLANTER
FOR THE COTTON PLANTER.
Rational Fertilization of the Cotton
Plant rs Opposed 10 Ira
tiOnal Methods.

The term rational" Is used synony-
nous with judieious, 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 1t, 4" 1t
is the stuff inside the sack and not
the brand printed on the outside that
determines the value. They are pur-,
chased irrationally 81 whenever and
wherever low grade (S-2-1 or s-2-2.
goods) are bought under the SUPPOSE
tion that they are cheap, because COM
paratiyely low in price. -.--ll
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 manure (either
stable or loD may be hauled out dur
ing the winter and applied literally to
the land-broadcast, then apply the
more concentrated chemical fertilizers
Just as If no manure had been applied.
On ordinary upland or well-worn
creek or branch bottom lands( lands
that make an average-sized stalk and
yield Of from 400 to 800 or even 1000
pounds Of seed cotton per acre)
complete" fertilizer, analyzing 1888
or 9-3-3 or 1O-3-4) will give far better
results than the lower grade S-2-l or
S22 goods. Again, instead OF using
paltry 200 pounds of S-2-1 or 1922
goods per acre; 400 to 800 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 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 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
potash per acre, applied broadcast, Two
bales per acre. ",u,., at. .-., -also 4
Although placing great reliance in
fertilizers of any and all kinds, we do i.
not believe that fertilizers ever did
or ever will put in their very best work
where humus is deficient. An abun-
dance of humus present in the soil is
essential to large crop yields, as two,
three and four bales per acre, but
where there is plenty Of humus, to-
gether with a liberal amount of ap-
piled fertility, properly balanced, given
deep an thorough preparation, fire.
Quent, yet shallow culture, good seed,
all work that is done at the right time
and in the right manner, and a favor
able season, the four bales per acre
could be far more common than they
now are, Whenever and wherever
above essentials can be brought to-
gether there is absolutely nothing to
hinder these truly enormous crop
yields being obtained on many thou
sands of acres scattered about here and
there throughout the entire cotton belt.
1t can not be done on every acre, but
with the right kind of management,
two bales per acre can be made on each
and every acre throughout the entire
south that is adopted 70 cotton culture. !
Where rust abounds humus and pot
ash are both apt to be deficient, and
this is the only instanc we know of
where kainit acts better than does the
muriate. Plenty of potash in the soil
induces such vigorous and healthy |
growth that it lenders the plant large
ly disease-resistant, or. in other words,
rust-proof. At the Alabama expert
ment station in checking rust, 200
pounds of kainit per acre was better
than 100 pounds, and 100 pounds bet
ter and more beneficial than 60 pounds, |
In 1899 the yield with potash was at
least double that of the plots receiving |
none of this material but little OF
which increase can be attributed, to the
rust retaining effect as potash, In, us
ing potash as a preventive Of rust, 1t |
may be applied Immediately in advance
of planting, but would be better applied
in the fall or early winter, or at least, |
several weeks in advance of planting,
so al to insure their diffusion through
the soil. ,~hs4 -.urH a.,Its.s..,,,,s 1.g1l
The more humus present the greater
quantity Of fertilizer may be profit
ably applied per acre, and conversely, l
the less humus present the smaller
quantity Of fertilizer that can be safe
ly used, and the greater the necessity |
for a thorough preparation and cul7
ture that will insure as nearly as prac-
ticable perfect mechanical condition
of the soil. aA turs,aa ,acaa yagI
(The figures 8-2-l used refer to, the /
of phosphorici, acid, nitro
gen and potash tplant food bought
In fertilizers.) &c. II. Turner, In, Farm
and Ranch. ty7,t ai~tasat.t,..lae a.e,,..,I /