The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1905-02-18
Fertilizers.

Fertilizers.
The use of q small amoGnt Of fer
tiliZer on corr land until the soil a
be improved and filled with COW peas
is of great Importance to the planter.
The continued use Of fertilizers year
after year is not specially recon-
mended, but at the commencement, in
order to stimulate the corn and the
COW peas, it is necessary if the best
results are expected. On light soils
and uplands that have been consider
ably worn, use 400 pounds of fertilizer
per acre, compounded as follows: 10
pounds of IA per CEN acid phosphate.
containing 2 per cent of potash and
240 pounds of cotton seed meal,
thoroughly mixed. Distribute in the
rows where the corn is to be planted
two or three weeks before planting,
and follow with the cultivator to mix
the fertilizer with the soil. On rich
prairie or bottom lands use only ore
pound of cotton seed meal to three
pounds Of phosphoric acid and potash,
applying only 200 pounds of the mkt
ure per acre. In general reduce the
proportion Of cotton seed meal used
in the mixture and the total amount
of fertilizer applied per acre as the
fertility of the soil increases.
AS o o as the corn is up, use the
harrow, then cultivate once in ten days
till the corn is too large. The first
cultivation may be deep-all later cul-
tivations should be shallow. Many
use only the pillow in cultivation. 1t is
not the best implement, but will an
swer a good purpose If thoroughly
used. More depends upon the thor
ough use of an implement than upon
the special form of the implement;
however, the two-horse cultiVatOr does
better and more rapid work, but it is
a little difficult to use this implement
where there are many stumpS. Thin the
corn in the rows to a stand of n
stalk each ten to twelve inches on poor
lands, and to fifteen inches on very
rich lands. The greater width of the
rows allows a closer stand in the row..
AS the time of the last working Of
the corn, plant four rows Of COW peas
in each space between the corn rows,
using about two bushels and a half OF
the peas per acre. In case the land
is poor it will be we'll to use 100
pounds of cotton seed meal per acre
at the time of planting the COW peas
this will help the corn and insure a
crop of peas. In selecting peas for
planting in corn, it is well to use a
variety that produces the most vine,
so as to thoroughly the land
with the crop. Some use the clay
COW pea and some the black Carolina.
Both are good and will answer the
if planted with care.
1t may be urged that too much X
pense is put upon the corn by this
method. The cost of fertilizer is
placed at $3.50 per acre, the additional
work upon the land at 81, and the COW
peas at $3.50, making a total of $11
per acre extra. The return should be.
and will be under average conditions,
an increase of 40 bushels Of corn per
acre. worth $40, and at least one ton
of cow peas, worth $12-total $32.
Nor is this all, the effect Of good cul.
tivation and the cow peas on the cot.
ton crop to follow the next year should
be equal to a quarter of a bale of cot
ton-$1O, which, added to the $50,
gives a total Of $40 for an expenditure
of $11 in labor and fertilizer.
Cotton is the nations greatest crop.
1t is the worlds greatest need.
Protect and promote the cotton in
dustry of the South.
The boil weevil is a menace and a
that will have to be taken into
account.
Ten acres in cotton at 10 cents is
more money than twenty acres with
cotton at 5 cents.
Create a stable price, based upon
cost Of production.
To save millions to the cotton indus
try and prevent Generalization of the
South's prosperity will require organi-
cation in advance of the boil weevil.
The States producing cotton and the
nations using the staple must awaken
to the menace
nI..L-. n.4l nA~