The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-02-16

pounds nitrate soda; 275 to 800 pounds
potash.
No. -Four hundred to $50 pounds cot
ton seed meal: go to 440 pounds acid
phosphate; 1870 to 26O pounds muriate
potash.
Here is the result of an experiment
made with fertilizers on potatoes, show
ing the amount of fertilizer used and
yield per acre:
Plot No. o. no fertlizer-155 bushels.
Plot No. l, 200 pounds of nitrate of
soda, 100 pounds muriate of potash 800
pounds acid phosphate-2l5 bushels.
Plot NO 2, 400 pounds cotton seed meal
100 pounds muriate potash, 300 pounds
acid phosphate-2l0 bushels.
Plot No. g. 100 pounds nitrate soda. 200
pounds cotton seed meal, 100 pounds mu-
rate potash, 800 pounds acid phosphate
$50 bushels.
Plot No. T. 100 pounds muriate potash
800 pounds acid phosphate-17O bushels.
The reader will notice that on plot No.
l. where all the nitrogen was in one
FORM. nitrate of soda the largest yield
was obtained, being thirty-five bushels
per acre more than on plot TO. . where
the nitrogen was in an organic FORM and
fifteen bushels more than on plot No. B.,
where two forms of nitrogen were used.
1t will also be noticed that potash and
phosphoric acid without nitrogen only
increased the yield fifteen bushels per
acre. while with nitrate the increase was
100 bushels per acre.
On a different soil very different results
might have been obtained This expert
ment is given, however. to show the i'm
portance of having all chemical fertil-
izers properly balanced. The reader must
figure out the cost of these fertilizers and
arrive at his own conclusion as to
whether or not the increased yields
would pay the extra expense for fertiliz-
ers used.
When and how to use these fertilizers
for potatoes is another and very import
ant matter. Assuming that the SOIL mas
been prepared as it should be, the Ter
tilzer may be used a week or 50 before
planting or at time of planting ENpef-
iments on this prove very little, II any,
advantage one time over another, so the
work is well performed. Furrow out the
land deep, using two horses to good
large shovel pillow for the work. Then
with good fertilizer drill sow the fer
tilizer in the botto moi the burrows. III
a drill is not at hand the work can pc
done by hand. Follow this with a small
cultivator right in the furrow, and mix
the fertilizer well with the. dirt, covering
it so that the seed will not come in dl-
rect contact with the fertilizer. SO mueh
indeed could be written on this subject
that we regret to have to close this part
Of the subject. but this is becoming quite
lengthy for this bulletin. This question
of fertilizers is one that the farmer must
understand if he succeeds.
Planting.
This, too, is an important part of the
work and it is very necessary that this
too should be well looked after, and that
the crop be planted just as early in the
season as possible. but 1t should always
if possible. be done when the ground is
dry. Having the sell ready prepared,
good plan, in fact one of the best is 10
furrow out burrows deep, distribute the
fertilizer in the burrows as directed
above have the seed ready and plant
in the freshly opened burrows and cover
before the soil has time to become dry.
The work of planting may be done by
hand or by the use of some OF the many
planters that are now in use. However,
in the south at time of planting the early
crops the work on the farm Is not crowd
ing and 50 it may be economy TO plant
by hand. The writer prefers the planting
by hand especially the early crops
The rows for the early sorts need not
be more than three feet wide and the
seed dropped from twelve to fifteen
inches apart in the drill. However, the
grower. where the land is not SO muen
an object. should be guided in the width
Of his rows so as to accommodate the
cultivators he is to use in cultiFating the
crop.
Have a good, careful hand drop the
seed in the fresh open burrows, stepping
on every piece, pressing it firmly in the
loose soil This will cause she seed TO
start growth quickly. Cover ths Burrows
over before they get dry. The work OF
covering may be well performed in many
soils by the use of good two-horse corn
cultivator. But this may be better done
by the use of a good one-horse diamond