Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-12
RECENT FERTTLLZER EXPERIMENTS
ON COTTON IN GEORGIA AND ALA.

generally regarded as due to unfavorable
physiological conditions in the plant, the
result probably of the poverty OF the soil
in certain elements of plant food Of
which potash seems to be the most i'm
portanJ. As rust is troublesome in many
localities where cotton has been grown
extensively for years, the value of pot
ash is becoming more generally appreci-
ated since IL seems that through its use
this disease, IL such it may be termed,
can be practically controlled.
There has been much diversity Of
opinion as to the best time to apply
fertilizers on cotton. some contending
that side applications when the crop is
partially developed are profitable. Elk
perimental Investigations. however, do
not seem to coincide with this belief
and good practice now inclines to the
application OF all the plant food some
time in advance OF seeding the crop.
OF course, there are seasons when an
application OF nitrate OF soda, say about
July. might prove profitable, but this
would be the exception rather than the
rule. In some instances, where accu-
rate tests have been made, the best re-
suits have. followed the application OF
complete fertilizer from one to three
weeks before planting the crop. The
fertilizer, as rule, is best applied un-
der the drill row, and the favorite mix
ture is a combination Of cotton seed
meal, acid phosphate and KANT or mu-
rate OF potash. Nitrate OF soda could
not. OF course. be applied in the bottom
OF the drill row so far in advance of
planting with safety, whereas the
nitrogen in cotton seed meal, becoming
more slowly available, is less likely to
be washed or leached out OF the soil
The gradual yielding up of the nitro
gen 10 the crop as in the case of cot
ton seed meal seems to be more bene-
fetal than the quick stimulating effect
which is likely to follow the use Of a
similar amount OF nitrate of soda. This
does not mean that nitrate Of soda
should be excluded from a complete fer
tilizer, as a small amount Of II may
be applied in the drill row with mani
fest advantage just at or before the
lime OF planting.
II has long been recognized that
humus or vegetable matter is needed
in the cotton soils Of the south, and
that better results would follow the APP
plication of potash and phosphates, for
example, when a fair amount of stable
manure had been applied or green
Ieguminous crop plowed under the pre-
vious year. In tests made in South
Carolina is was found, for instance,
{
from two pIats to which AHA pounds
OF COW manure and 272 pounds OF acid
phosphate had been added was 421
pounds of seed cotton per acre. Where
las pounds of cotton seed meal and $50
pounds of bulls were applicable same
amount Of meal and bulls which had
been fed to the cows 70 produce the
27IA pounds OF mauure-the yield per
plat OF seed cotton was only go
pounds. Notice that there was an in
crease OF 1877 pounds of seed cotton, or
! 81 per cent, from the use OF the
manure.
That compost may be made and used
effectively on the farm in conjunction
with commercial fertilizers was also
demonstrated very nicely by an expert
ment made at the same station, where
1920 pounds OF compost produced an
average yield OF 252.6 pounds of lint
per acre or three pounds less than
SAYS pounds Of COW manure. These
, figures should stimulate the farmer to
save the leaves and trash which may
be accumulated about the farm and use
/ them I'm connection with phosphates
and potash. since by this method vege-
table matter may be added to the soil
! and a good substitute obtained for
; rarmyard manure on those plantations
, where live stock is not maintained. In
, any case, the essential nature of phos-
pilates and potash becomes apparent,
and the effects OF these two elements
/ should not be lost sight of, since the
/ production of a vigorous, healthy plant,
! resistant TO rust and one that will ma
! ture early. will result from their use.
, Early matured cotton is better in quail
! ity, since II can be gathered in more
favorable weather. 1t is also freer
from dirt and trash, and the lint will
be stronger and freer from stain.
1t has been observed that 100 pounds
| OF muriate OF potash have given an in
I creased yield of 57.4 pounds OF lint over
no fertilizer. and 400 pounds Of KANT,
I which is practically equivalent to 100
/ pounds OF muriate. an increase Of As
F, pounds of lint over no fertilizer. These
/ results are indicative of the benefits
/ which the liberal use OF phOsphates and
1 potash will confer upon the cotton
/ grower, and should stimulate an in
| creased use OF the mineral elements of
| plant food for the production of cotton.
/ At last cramp collie has been apotheo-
3 sized. The doctors now call il pellagra.
I Wonder IL n will hurt less or cost more 2