The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-02-24
COMMERCIAL fertilizer VERSUS The
home PRODUCT.

The hauling of commercial fertilizer lor
use the coming season has commenced. AS Is
usual, the roads are bad, and this makes IL
irving on men and stock. However, under
the present method of farming, IL IL q neces-
sary expenditure OF money, anu so IL ~ Wen
TO commence the hauling In abundant ume
so as TO have the supply at home by the tIme
II la ready to be put in the ground. Ina
question OF whether to buy the indgredlents
and do the mixing at home, or 10 ouy the
ready-mixed article, Ia one for the 1ndlVlduaI
10 decide. If home mixing is done, 1t Will be
necessary 10 be careful SO as TO secure thor
ough mixing. Also 1t is essential that one
have a knowledge OF the TlgnI Proporti1as !
suits may be disappointing: II IT Is decldeu
to buy the fertilizer ready mixed, then IL Will
be best to select q good brand OF some well
known fertilizer ofguaranteed analysis. Dii'
ferent soils nave somewhat different fertll-
izer requirements, and different crops seem
to require some particular combination Or
fertillzing materials in preference TO others.
The whole question OF fertilizers Ia q large
one, and very imperfectly understood. 1t
would seem that those who MAKE u d ousl-
less of putting up fertilizers would nave q
better Knowledge T OF now SSve oe ne,t 10 m f]ac, in1m
for doing this work. and II the difference be.
tween the price Of factory.mixed goods and
ones is not too great, II may De
best to use the former, But the analysis
should be guaranteed always.
Most of the buying and use OF fertilizers at
present Is haphazard, and SO the reso!ts 90
tained are uncertain. II is IKE aoceHsins
either of the disease or the remedy. 100
much dependence Ia placed on their use by
the majority OF farmers. not enough on
portant of the two. Right methods OF prep.
aration and filling play an important part IN
crop production, as we'll as the direct applica-
ton Of manures.
crop as q rule. Their effect Ia not permanent.
like that OF stable manure. 1t will be impos-
sible to discuss this subject fully, as 1t Is
many sided and 30 many iaSis enser nn,o ,h sae
large sums of money should not be spent lor
commercial fertilizers until IL ID Demon.
strated by each one for himself ina IL rs prof.
liable to use large quantities on bis particu.
lar farm. More attention should be given TO
making and saving the farm manure, to
increasing the vegetable matter IN tne SOL oy
the growing Of cow peas and other Iegnmes'
In rotation with cotton, corn and small grain,
1t ia folly to continue buying high priced
fertilizer each spring, without trying TO STOP
as far as possible the washing OF me heIds.
The natural fertility Of the soil Is God-glven,
and II Is q sin of ignorance to allow u 10 De
carried away by improper methods OF cult.
walton. II more attention were given 10
means OF soil preservation anu 1sne~s1 ~
would not be so necessary to buy commereiai
fertilizers. It is not meant here 20 give tne
Impression that they are not useful and good,
but only to call attention to the fact mat we
allow the home resources 10 go 10 wasle,
thereby placing a heavier burden upon our
shoulders than would otherwise be necessary
In the buying of something that might nave
been partly dispensed with.
Then, In these winter days 1t will be we'll to
plan wisely for the coming crop, making and
saving all the manure possible at home. De-
eide upon a judicious distribution OF crops
established rotation. It Is impossible to en-
rich poor soil by the application Of CONNER
cial fertilizer alone. There is more prooaoll.
ity OF being impoverished yourself, man OF
enriching the and in this manner. But by
rowin leguminous crops and feeding STOCK
and saving the manure carefully, returning
1t to the land, the restoration OF fertility VIII
In a few years be an accomplished fact. u 10
in conjunction with these other means that
we should use the bought fertilizers, and not
alone.
II will be we'll to 90 slow this spring In buy
Ing. II you have not already lone 30, COM