Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-13

At the same time. 1t is highly inadvis-
able and will generally result disas-
trOuzIy for the farmer to follow blindly
any given set of directions in growing
potatoes. Soil. season. temperature and
the amount of rainfall all have ma
terial influence on crop yields and are
factors that cannot be reckoned with
beforehand nor controlled efficiently.
Then. IT is generally recognized that all
soils contain more or less plant food
though careful and repeated tests have
shown that a large per cent of IL Is not
Immediately available. and hence can
not be used satisfactorily by a rapidly
growing crop. such as potatoes. Good
practice necessarily demands that the
soil be most thoroughly and efficiently
prepared. because when in the best pos
sible mechanical condition the BENEFITS
from commercial fertilizers will be much
greater than where Indifferent prepara-
ton is pursued. Generally speaking, the
potato gives its best results on soils
abundantIy supplied with fertilizing ele-
ments In a readily assimilable form In
it's early stages Of development IL re-
quires a large amount OF nitrogen. and
hence part OF the nitrogen should be in
q quickly available form. Later on In the
season it makes heavy demands on the
phosphOrfc acid and particularly potash
in the soil, which is so Intimately con-
cerned in the elaboration and transfer
ence Of starch. Hence. the Importance
Of potash TO the potato crop can not be
emphasized too strongly, for without its
presence and active assistance the char
acter and quality OF the starch con-
tent OF the crop viii be unfavorably af-
fected.
AS to the amount of fertilizer to use.
that wiz vary. but 1.0o0 to 1850 pounds
Is not too heavy an application. and In
fact these amounts are used by the fore
most growers in the best producing sec
lions Of the United States. Sometimes
as much as 3.Ooo pounds Of fertilizer may
be used per acre. especially in localities
where two crops OF tubers are raised
on the same ground in one season. but
II Is inadvisable TO overdo the thing.
The vital Importance OF this part OF the
discussion, therefore, warrants us In en-
deavoring TO present some formulas
which may be taken as suggestive for
the different soil and climatic conditions
throughout the country. These formulas
are merely suggestive and should be
used experImentaIly at first and adjusted
as time and experience indicate to meet
the needs OF a given locality. There are
so many outside factors affecting the use
and application OF fertilizers that no def
mite rules can be laid down, but IL Is
clearly demonstrated that liberal applica-
tions OF the right amount OF fertilizer
prove highly profitable on potatoes.
FERTILIZER FORMULAS SUITABLE
FOR POTATOES.
AS already mentioned, so bushels OF
potatoes would take IS pounds OF nitro
gen. s pounds of phosphoric acid and
s. pounds Of potash from the soil. The
ordinary 'S-S-5' grade OF fertilizer used
by a majority OF farmers even IL applied
at the rate Of 100 pounds would not sup
ply much more than one-third Of the
most essential element Of plant food re-
ouired by this crop. AS a matter of fact, /
there would be actually 9s pounds of nj
trogen, IS pounds OF phosphoric acid and
IS pounds of potash. or almost four
times as much phosphoric acid as is
needed. with q little over one-third of
the potash and one-half OF the nitrogen. |
Twelve hundred pounds is much above |
the application Of commercial fertilizers
used by a majority OF growers, so that !
II is easy to discern why many planters
complain of the fneficiency of prepared !
plant food This instance is cited as an ]
evidence OF the absurd practice pursued !
I'm many places with reference to the fer |
tlixatIon OF the potato crop and explains |
very readily why better crops are not /
obtained
To supply the needs OF so0-bushel |
crop OF potatoes the following formula |
is suggested: 500 pounds OF tankage. |
zoo pounds Of cotton seed meal 100 !
pounds Of nitrate OF soda, 10 pounds /
Of acid phosphate and 200 pounds OF |
sulpate Of potash. This fertilizer would |
contain IS pounds Of available nitrogen, |
los pounds Of available phosphoric acid |
and I03 pounds OF available potash. The /
percentage composition would be about /
4 per cent OF nitrogen. rs per cent OF /
a.
potash. This fertilizer is a favorite in /
some Of the greatest potato growing !
counties in the state OF Maine. where |
from ITS to $50 bushels OF marketable
potatoesa re raised per acre Having |
given such excellent results in prac-
tice IL is one well worthy OF attention |
on the part OF all potato growers.
Another very good formula might be |
prepared as follows: .Os pounds OF nj |
trate OF soda. 200 pounds OF screened |
taukage. 100 pounds OF high-grade dried |
bod, 500 pounds OF acid phosphate |