Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-01-26

Aroostook County, s1,10O worth OF
fertilizer for his own use next season.
II this is an indication of what other
farmers may do, it shows that our bump
er crops and the prevailing high prices
and quick sales have had their effect,
and that farming, in Maine, at least, is
to be considerably extended in the sea-
son of 1909.
With these prospects before us, the
best methods of procedure, both in pur-
chasing and in using these goods become
of much Importance. In relation to the
purchasing, it appears that the first i'm
provement should come through the
elimination of the time system as far As
possible. Goods bought for cash always
come the cheapest. In this connection |
believe it will pay farmers to unite and
secure money and then buy for cash
But Just here comes in a difficulty. In
many neighborhoods one farmer will
have nothing except of one particular
brand; another farmer will have nothing
except another particular brand, and so
il goes all through the neighborhood.
As consequence, the goods are bought
in small lots and through different agents
ar maximum of cost for every trans
action All this should be remedied
through the elimination of the brand ex-
cept in so far as il may serve TO show the
manufacturer, and centering the atten-
tion on the analysis. The analysis tells
the value, the trade name is a catchy de-
vice, and, in a sense, trick of the trade.
High grade goods quickly available
are, on general principles, the best for
all hoed crops, especially potatoes, which
grow very. rapidly the latter part OF the
season. Grain and grass will handle
more slowly available goods to advan-
tage, but the proportion of actual fertil-
izing material should be equally high.
Outside of the advent of the cash system
of buying aud the uniting on one grade
of goods as far as possible, there is moth
ing of more Importance than the adapta-
tiou of the goods to the needs OF the
soil. am of the opinion that this can
not be done TO advantage by the farmer
himself, but that there is legitimate
field for more experiment station work
through cooperative experimentation.
Every potato grower in Maine knows OF
the good work done by the Maine Ex-
pertinent Station in its cooperative
spraying experiments in the potato fields
Of Aroostcok County. There are to-day
many towns in Maine where potatoes or
corn are grown on commercial fertilizers
in sufficient quantities 10 warrant such
experiments. IL would be worth much
to the man who buys q, 100 worth OF
these goods 70 know that he is not vast
ing money by buying some one OF the
three fertiliZing elements IN n larger
proportion than is needed on bis land.
II would help the smaller buyer proper
tiOnately. | would gladly welcome the
station official who should come 10 test
my soil as 10 what particular ingredient
OF fertilization II most needed, and would
surrender hin enough land 10 answer
bis purpose fully One experiment
would answer for quite an area Of similar
soil conditions, and II In a favorable
locality the object lesson OF the study OF
the different plots. together, possibly,
With some talks By the station repre-
sentative. would form valuable aud at
tFactive feature. There could be a set
Of az least siI plots IN each experimental
piece. showing the relative effects OF
goods high and lOw IN each one OF the
three different ingredients.
In connection with these plots, the
farmer could be asked 20 compare re-
suits between broadcasting and drilling
the fertilizer, also between putting all
on az the time Of planting and leaving =
part for a later application, and many
other combinations that would readily
be suggested With the full answer OF
the station plots In bis mind, the farmer
can buy without waste; with bis own
tests worked out he will make quite
start toward the more intelligent ap'
plication.
But there are other considerations
that be can well manage for himself.
Hoed crops in northern ATTITUDES must
grow quickly. The best possible kinds
of fertilizers have been purchased
those that act quickly-and they should
be used only on land properly prepared
and properly handled through the grow
ing season. The plough is the basis oi
successful tillage. Land poorly plough
ed can never be properly fitted for the
quick growing crop or for the best use
OF quick acting fertilizers. The plough
should move every particle OF the soil
not in one mass, as the furrow turns,
but with rolling action, that pulverizes
as well as turns. Land thus ploughed
is in excellent condition for the tillage
implements, and these very often must
be used with rare intelligence. Heavy
land, worked when too wet, is injured
light land, worked when too dry, is like.
wise injured, particularly if it is worked
deeply. Every farmer must understand
his soil, and work il only when best re-
suits will obtain. An abundance o1
vegetable matter, together with great
fineness, fits any soil for the best result:
from the use of copmercial fertilizers
The close study of seasonal conditions
in order to plant the crop at the proper
time, is well worth the thought of every
user of these goods. AS general prin
ciple early planting is better than lat,
planting. This holds with any crop
Still, have known great loss to result
from early planting in seasons when th'
conditions were not right for such plant
ing. Good seed, properly planted ant
well tended, on well prepared land, al
ways produces good crop; poor seet
never does; therefore, insure the crop b,
using good seed.
The soil should be stirred through tn
growing season, deeply at first, to avoi'
packing later on; more shallow as TIT
season advances. This is done for th
purpose of fining the soil, changing or
gauic matter into humus, adding to it
absorptiye properties aud killing weeds
As far as possible the land must b
adapted to the crop. The man VIII
uses 81, 100 worth of fertilizer will no
plant his corn on his lowland or his pc
tatoes in the sand. Corn, being love
of heat, with the best drouth resistan
properties OF any New England plant
rejoices in the sunshine, and stores u
its heat for future use to good advar
tage, even when grown upon iigh.. sand
loam. Potatoes love moisture and COO
ness, conditions quite the reverse.
speak of these two plants because the
form the bulk Of the field crops grow
on commercial fertilizers.
IL stand in any sense as an exponeu
of the short course system Of rotatio
and OF commercial fertilization, l woul
remind all newcomers into the fold tbs
they are dealing with the higher Al
/ tributes Of natures forces; that ther
must be no guess work. and that SUI
cess only comes through an active II
telligence at every point of procedure
b. Walker McKeen, Fryeburg, Me-,
Tribune Farmer.