The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1907-02-20

the fertilizer was applied In the furrows
with the seeds. While this result was not
contemplated, it was quickly explained
by the fact that the fertilizer that had
been in the ground two weeks had under
gone the chemical changes already allud-
ed to, and its plant food was ready for
the immediate wants Of the young plants.
This result suggests that it may be eX-
pedient, in any case, to apply a small
ouantity-say 20 to Is pounds-of nitrate
of soda in the same furrow with the cot
ton or corn seeds, which may be done
with perfect safety with cotton seeds,
and without danger to corn if not placed
in immediate contact with the seed.
APPLYING FERTILIZER AT TIE
TIME OF PLANTING.
This may be understood to mean either
applying the fertilizer, neaalng n1 on !; It ana
refer to the practice of putting the fer
tilizer in the furrow with the seed In
the latter case, there ls always a mani
fest danger that the coming growing sea-
the fertilizer, being so lightly covered,
may not be dissolved and properly dis
seninated through the soil. II may also
follow that the fertilizer being SO coaceIl-
trated-en nasse, as it Were-aroana ths
tender rootlets Of the young plants that
the latter may be injured, or burned =
a not inconsiderable danger. The plan
is not advisable except when cry
light application is to be made per aSie.
This caution is especially applcab!S 70
seeds that are planted in very snalioM
furrows and but lightly covered, suc2 as
cotton, and it is generally safer 10 lhseS-
pose some soil. or. better, deposit the Ter
tiliZer in one furrow and plant the seeus
lin a furrow Immediately beside; or. wee
versa plant the seeds first in the fuifoW,
and then the fertilizer in a furrow close
beside it. But TIE preferred plan IS 10
bed on the fertilizer, and then plant tae
seeds, after narrowing down the beds.
I have often applied so to 100 pounds OF
complete fertilizer per acre in the
furrow with the cotton seeds; but it was
away back" in the late sixties ant e&rly
seventies when fertilizers sold at so to SGD
ton, and very light applications were
supposed to be in the interest Of wise
economy We did not know much about
fertilizers in those days. anu were a:caid
to put too much guano on the cotton
That time has passed and gone, &-iG the
up-to-date farmer S>found that aGo and
600 pounds Of fertilizer for cotEcn. a
each acre Of cotton is not dangerous or
excessive, but simply liberal and judi
cious. Indeed. it IS question Of simple
arithmetic. If 100 pounds per acre is
profitable, and it costs no more labor %
cultivate an acre with 500 pounds Of ar-
piled fertilizer, then why not increase
the amount invested in fertilizers. and.
if thought advisable, reduce the area and
the labor account?
Now. the well-informed farmer only
wants to know If the fertilizer be proper
ly balanced for the crop he wishes to
grow, and is sold at a fair price, and be
invests literally, just as he would do in
buying anything at such price that he
may sell at a profit Of from so to iC0 per
centum and upward A high-grade. hon.
est fertilizer will meet this requirement.
There is another justification for the
practice Of applying fertilizers at the
time Of planting-viz., when the farmer
has failed to put in his order at the prop
er time. He may then. according to the
proverb-'better late than not at alp
put in the fertilizer with the seed, OF at
the time Of planting.