Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-21

EAELnT1Eu 10 Tic PA&AAANA -
all fertilizers. Not long since a rep
resentative planter asked a cotton fac
tor OF long experience why it was that
the staple grown on his farm did not
possess the high luster and quality
which once enabled him TO secure n
premium OF one cent per pound on his
cotton. The planter said, Il use plen-
~ Of commercial fertilizer. and am
certain that cultivate my land better
than in the years gone by, but In spite
OF my best efforts, do not feel that
I am maintaining the quality OF my
nber as well as I should" The factor,
who was also an extensive planter, said,
you have destroyed the humus or veg
etable matter in your soil, and this in
my Judgment accounts for the differ
ence in the quality OF fiber and the fact
that the increased amounts OF fertil-
izer used do not give as large a return
IN proportion as the planter might an
tfcipate-"
thousands Of farmers in the south
are indulging in conversation not dis
similar to that Just quoted, and II
there were no remedy for the situation
there would be cause for serious alarm.
There IS every reason to indicate that
the suggestion OF the cotton factor as
70 the difference in the quality Of fiber
being due to a decrease of vegetable
matter In the soil is correct. Ad-
hitting his contention for the sake OF
argument. how shall the present def
cheney in humus be overcome. There
are two means open TO the farmer
either the use OF farmyard manure or
green crops plowed under. From the
standpoint Of economy and diversity Of
interest. farmyard manure should be
49, - - t.
product OF every regulated farm, and
the maintenance Of considerable num-
bers OF live stock will enable the rar-
mer 10 feed his family at a lower cost
than is frequently the case at present.
and will win him away from depend
ing entirely on one or two crops in
stead Of practicing a rotation as ne
should. II is worth while. therefore.
TO consider what Influences affect the
value OF farmyard manure and to see
how Il should be cared for and applied
20 the soil so as TO insure it's proving
most profitable to the farmer.
The term farmyard manure as COM
monty interpreted means the solid and
liquid excrements OF animals fed on the
farm together with whatever material
Is used for bedding. The liquid manure
Is much more valuable than the solid
since IT contains the greater part Of the
nitrogen and the mineral elements are
in solution. and are therefore readily
available TO plants Many farmers
lose sight OF this important fact. and
while giving some attention and care
TO the preservation OF the solid excre-
ments neglect to use a sufficient amount
Of absorbents to preserve the liquid
manure. This is a radical error in
practice. Manure is affected by the
kind and age OF animals producing il.
Young animals naturally retain more
OF the fertflizing materials for the
building UP OF their bodies, especially
the skeleton. The kind and amount OF
food consumed influences the value OF
the manure very considerable. Cor In
stance. a ton OF cotton seed meal con-
tains approximately 40 pounds OF nj
trogen. 40 10 so pounds OF phosphoric
acid and IS pounds of potash. These
fertilizing materials at a low CONNER
eial value are worth at least SIS to $50
ton A ton of corn. on the other
hand. only contains about So to So
worth OF materials, Most of the cot
ton seed meal produced in the south is
not fed on our farms. and Il is easy
TO see how the quality Of the manure
could be improved If this were the
case The kind and amount Of alb
sorbents used will influence the value
OF the manure as well. Leaves are
very good and large quantities Of them
might be used in the south in the alb
sence OF other material. For instance,
a ton OF dry leaves contains about Is
pounds OF nitrogen. 5 pounds Of phos-
pnoric acid and pounds OF potash.
Wheat straw. so largely used in the
west. contains per ton IL pounds OF nj
trogen, ponds Of phosphoric acid and
IL pounds OF potash. Many OF our far
mers think they can not make manure
because they do not grow cereals. We
see from the above that this is a mis-
take cornstover may also be used
Tor absorbing purposes after the ami
mails have been allowed to eat as much
OF IL as they will. We have the ma
terials to use as absorbents II we will
utilize them properly.
The method OF preserving manure
viii have a material influence on its
value II thrown outside the stable
window and allowed 10 leach a good
part OF the nitrogen. phosphoric acid
and potash may be lost Manure suf-
fers chiefly in two ways: FIRST, by
Teaching and second. by improper fer
mentation- Leaching can be prevent
ed. When nothing better can be done.
dig shallow place in the ground and
puddle with clay. cement floy
would be better, or a shed roof con-
structed over the manure pile with