The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1908-06-04
Feeding Cora and Cotton.

sippi River, where the natural fer.
tility Of the upland soils has been de.
stroyed by neglect in past years, and
where it is necessary to use CONNER
cial fertilizers, it would be advisable
under existing conditions in some in
stances to make additional applica-
tions of these artificial plant foods at
second or third plowings. Where ap-
plications Of four to five hundred
pounds of a high grade guano has
been made per acre at time Of plant
ing, it is doubtful if additional ap-
plications would be profitable unless
leakings have occurred through wash
ing of the land by heavy rains in
May. An application of $50 to 200
pounds of a complete formula at Sec
ond Or third blowing will give good
results, provided this is done only on
such an acreage as can and will be
properly worked and kept in first
class growing condition.
The most advantageous way of
making the application will be
to broadcast the fertilizers
down the rows and sift in amongst
the soil with light running harrow,
cultivator, scrape or sweep. The
feed roots of both corn and cotton
will soon be tapping across the rows
and by giving an even distribution
of the fertilizers it will be rapidly
taken up and assimilated by the
plants. If the fertilizers are distri-
buted in small stream down the
furrow by the side of the plants, it
will tend to cause a concentration
and mating of the roots at partic-
ular place when they should be
spreading out as much as possible
seeking plant food and moisture in
every direction.
In The cultivation Of corn especial
ly it has been found by practical ex-
pertinent that it is always best to
apply but little or no fertilizers at
planting time. but to make heavy ap-
plicatons at the second or third
blowing. This is in thorough har-
mony with the Williamson" plan of
South Carolina, by which the subject
is to develop only small stalk and
force the plant food later on into
the growth and development of the
grain. While it may be advisable to
stunt or check the growth of corn in
its early stages and to fertilize and
push it along later on, it will not do
to apply such an experiment to cot
ton. A full developed stalk of cot
ton will produce three separate and
distinct crops of fruit, and tie get this
it is highly important to start the
young plants off early as possible
and push this with rapid culture un-
til the season for cultivation is at an
end
Cotton does not always shed be-
cause of too much dry weather or un-
favorable climatic seasons. Cotton
rarely Sheds unless it is due to past
rapid growth and overfruiting. Often
times shedding is caused by an alb
sence of sufficient phosphoric acid or
potash in the soil to sustain an ex-
traordinary fruitage. In such cases
the broadcasting of mixture of $50
pounds OF acid phosphate with so
pounds of kainit or IL pounds of
of potash down the rows
and lightly plowed in will at once
check shedding and give a good
green color to the foliage. Each ir-
dividual farmer must watch his crop
and note its needs and peculiarities,
and give it such attention, both as
work and fertilization, as will pro-
luce the best results. To keep the
crops growing the plows must be
Kept going, no matter whether the
seasons are good or in long periods
If draught.