Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-24

Inere
son. How to ascertain these is a ques-
ton uppermost In the mind. of every pro-
zressive farmer. For a time it was
thought that chemical analysis would
solve all the farmers problems. but soils
are so variable in character and are af-
fected by such variety OF natural condi-
tons that chemical analysis cannot hope
TO more than indicate the chief defects
IN any given soil Then. natural condi-
lions exert a potent influence which
chemistry In its present stage Of devel-
opment cannot hope 70 satisfactorily ex-
plain. For instance. the crop on hill
side sIoping TO the north may be week
later than on one sioping TO the south.
Land Loo feet above sea level will have
n different climate than that 200 feet
above sea level Ground lying at the base
OF a hill will suffer less from drouth
because OF the seepage from the sur
rounding country. while the fertility OF
the land Itself viii be determined largely
BY whether II overlies the parent rock or
has been formed through erosion and
transportation
The variety OF influences. therefore. af-
fecting the amount Of total and available
plant food contained In any given soil are
almost numberless, and Il will never be
possible until complete soil surveys have
station TO determine accurately what the
needs OF the land on any given farm
may be and presribe definitely how to
amend unfavorzble conditions. 1t should
not be concluded from this that chemical
analysis and experiment station work
are not OF the highest service and value
20 the farmer. bur as there Is no royal
road TO learning. so there Is no royal
road TO farming. and the man who hopes
TO make the greatest success out Of the
cultivation OF the land must expect 10
study hts soil for himself. and ascertain
through the advice and cooperation Of
thu colleges and stations and the assist
ancs OF science just what his soil is de-
ffcient In. and how he can most econom-
icalIy and quickly correct these objection
able conditions
The question therefore resolves itself
into one OF how the farmer shall pro-
eeed 70 intellieently question his soil
This may be done by arranging a series
OF plsts in one OF the fields to be Guilt
waited the next year. Cotton or corn are
good crops to work with. The size of the
plat may vary from one-tenth 10 one acre
In area. and II should be correctly meas
ured off. II should be laid off so there
VIII be an even number Of rows in each
plat ana Q vacant row should be left be-
of seed should be used. the soil should
be plowed and prepared with the same
kind OF implements. cultivation must be
similar throughout. and planting should
be done on the same day. Accurate notes
OF observation should be kept with re-
gard 10 these plats throughout the entire
growing season. and at the end thereof
the crops should be harvested with care
and discretion and correct weights made
Of the yield obtained from each plat This
IL not the kind Of work TO entrust to ig-
norant laborers. but should come under
the personal supervision OF the owner of
the farm. Work OF this character should
not be looked upon with indifference and
as a waste OF time. but rather as the con-
servation OF energy 10 acquiring expert
ence and Information by which the plan
tation may be directed along more eff
cient lines and larger and better crops
secured and the permanent fertility Of the
soil insured as well. While II is true that
the larger the plat the more accurate are
the results likely TO be. the harvesting Of
the crop from such a large area is apt
TO prove burdensome. and II would be
better, therefore, for the average farmer
10 make his plats one-tenth OF an acre In
size. II possible il is best to make them
long and narrow and a good proportion to
When this method is followed there will
be eight rows four feet wide 10 each
uIat
When the ground has been carefully
laid on very good test may be inau-
gurated as follows: On the first plat put
no fertilizer; on the second plat, 200
pounds Of high-grade acid phosphate and
20 pounds OF muriate of potash; and on
the third plat. % pounds OF nitrate of
soda or dried blood. or 100 pounds Of
cotton-seed meal. 300 pounds OF acid phos-
phate and 20 pounds OF muriate OF pit
ash II will not take much time TO care
for these three plats. yet the BENEFITS TO
be derived from the use OF the mineral
elements and OF the complete fertilizer
VIII be quite clearly shown. The farmer
who wishes 10 elaborate this test and
ascertain the benefits OF lining may do
50 By sowing lime across one-half OF each
plat at least two weeks before the seed
ing IL done.
This test may be elaborated in the fol-
lowing way: Take another series OF three
plats TO which cowpeas have been plowed
under or to which from two 70 I'VE tons
OF farmyard manure can be applied per
acre Where compost Is used Il Is best
put under the driyy row: where manure
r. used broadcast and disk into the land.
This win enable the farmer TO compare
the benefit OF no fertilizer and adding
humus 10 his soil. and the value OF pot
ash and phosphOric acid with and with