The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-07-10
DIR. BoNsTEEL HERE.
Expert of Department of Agriculture
Will Spend Several Weeks in the
County-He Will Advise Farmers.

DR.. j. A. Bonsteel, of the bureau
of soils, United States department Of
agriculture, is spending the week. IN
Sumter and Lee counties consulting
with Mr. Frank Bennett, who has
charge of the soil survey work now in
progress. DR.. Bonsteel has had
charge of the soil survey work in the
United States for the past two years
and he was placed in charge of the
newly organized division Of the bu-
reau of soils on July 1st.
This division has for its object the
promotion Of the agricultural devei-
opment of the entire country through
study of the crops best suited to
each different kind of soils and
/ through Investigations Of the best
methods of cultivating and fertlllzlng
each crop.
1t has been decided by the authori-
ties at Washington that the. special
interest shown in the soil survey
work in both Sumter and Lee coun-
ties warrants additional work IN the
region. Many of the influential citi-s
zens Of this vicinity have called at
tention to the indiscriminate use Of a.
few varieties of fertilizer on all OF
the different soils Of the county re-
gardless of the kind Of crop to be
raised or the real requirements or
the soils and crops.
The last census showed that S221,-
500 worth of commercial fertilizers
was used in Sumter and Lee counties
in the year 1899 1t is not probable
that the full value Of this expenditure
was secured by more than one-half
Of the farmers OF the two counties.
This is not the fault Of the fertilizer
nor, directly, Of the farmers. 1t arises
from the fact that very little is accu-
rately known concerning the proper
forms and amounts Of fertilizers
which should be applied to any par
ticular field or type Of soil. Again.
many tons of valuable fertilizers are
annually wasted because applied to
poorly prepared land or because ap-
piled at the wrong time or in insufh-
cient amounts
Few commercial fertilizers when
used alone produce as good returns
as when used in connection with
green crops or pea stubble p,oWed
under. Frequently, TOO, the effect OF
fertilizers is nearly or quite lost be-
cause OF failure to use small quan-
titles of lime in connection with COM
mercial fertilizer.
In order that some at least Of these
important problems may be solved
and the results made of use to the
farmers of the two counties the ou-
reau of soils will detail Mr.. Bennett
to collect few we'll selected SOIL
SAMPLES Of large size. These will be
sent to Washington, where Mr.. Ben
nett will be assisted by the laboratory
force in the study of the fertilizer
needs Of the most important types OF
soil. Mr.. Bennett will return to SUM-
ter and Lee counties to cooperate
with the farmers in putting into ef-
feet the knowledge Of these South
Carolina soils gained by means OF the
soil survey and the laboratory of the
soils.
Mr.. Rennett will arrange with
few farmers in each locality to help
demonstrate the effects of proper fer
tllizers and good cultivation on eacn
type Of soil shown on the soil sur
yey map. OF course the United States
department Of agriculture cannot go
into the business Of farming any more
than the average farmer could AFFORD
costly Laboratories and highly tram
ed experts. But the farmer and the
department cooperating can combine
good farm practice and good sclentl1-
ic study for the benefit Of American
agriculture. Accordingly MI Ben
nett will be detailed to furnish the re-
suits of the departments work TO tAe
farmers Of the two counties. He VIII
he sble to advise regarding the best
crop or group of crops to raise on
each different soil. He will be able
10 INDICATE the proper kinds OF
fertilizers to use and the amounts re-
CURED and the best time to apply
them. He will also need to make sug-
eestions as to when some green crop
or subtle should be piowed under
and whe.e and when to use lime
owing to the extensive demands tor
this kind Of work in other parts OF
the country only few farms can be
selected in each community for this
cooperative farming. In each case
the department viii furnish the al
vice based on its special studies The
farmer will need TO agree to set ASIDE
two or three acres Of land which ne
Will agree to handle as advised By the
department. EA Will have all OF the
crops and profits. the department.
only asking that a complete and eS-
act record of ali work. fertilizer ana
crop returns should be kept and fur
nished TO Mr.. Bennett. About three
wears work Of this kind will COM