Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-05-17
Agricultural
Queries Answered
DESTROYING CUT WORMS.

L. r. s., jefferson, Ga, writes: l
would like some information In regard
to getting rid OF cut worms. The soil is
a mulatto and was in garden for several
years until last year, when 1t grew up
in weeds and grass. / broke 1t up and
have ii in garden again. but the cut
worms cut down nearly everything that
comes up, and I think they also eat the
seed that is put in the ground.
One reason why you are so troubled
with cut worms and grubs the present
season is due to the fact that your land
was in sod last year. This is favorite
place for these particular pests to hyper
nate as they are well protected from the
cold by the litter and trash. Naturally
when Matching out in the spring they IN
fest the soil where they develop and do
serious damage. All trash and weeds o.
every kind in the vicinity of the garden
should be destroyed, and the cleanest Gull
tivation possible followed. Then put QUE
the following mixture: One ounce OF
, Paris Green or arsenate of lead, one
quart OF bran, and enough molasses to
make 1t stick together. Put it out In the
garden in small heaps under shingles 10
prevent drying out. This is the only
remedy which we can suggest which Is
likely to prove at all effective with this
pest.
WHEN AND HOW TO USE NITRATE.
r. p. X, Athens, Ca, writes; nave
some common gray and red land planted
in corn and cotton on which l used 2O0
to 275 pounds of a 1922 guano. l want
to apply nitrate OF soda, and wish to
know how much to apply for best results
to corn, cotton and melons.
Nitrate of soda is chiefly useful for
stimulating growth and giving vigor ana
richness of color 10 the plant Inc
amount TO use on any crop depends,
therefore on the season and soil condi-
lions, previous cultivation OF the land
and the amount OF fertilizer used. You
have not made a heavy application OF
| fertilizer to either your corn or cotton
You could have doubled these amounts
with good advantage. In our experience
we have found IL profitable to use more
potash and nitrogen than you have useo'
but we doubt IL you would obtain ma
teriaI benefit from using these as second
annlications after the crop is planted and
growth has commenced. We would de-
termine on the amount of nitrate OF
soda to use on both corn and cotton by
observing the growth of the crop. II It
is vigorous throughout the season and
sets on fruit freely and the squares are
not shed off, then comparatively little
nitrate will be necessary, say one appn-
cation of 100 pounds per acre. This may
be made any time from the middle OF
NAV TO the first OF June. II the crop
does not thrive and grow as we'll as you
desire, a second application of 100 pounds
may be made any time from the LIST TO
18th of June. We doubt the advisability
of putting on nitrate much after the 18th
of June in this latitude. Occasionally,
when a long fall occurs II might prove
beneficial as late as the LIST of July. We
would use the same amount OF nitrate
and in the same way for both corn and
cotton. II should be applied as a top
dressing and may be broadcasted or put
alongside the drill row.
On MELONS we would put a small hand
full OF nitrate. say about Is inches from
the hill, scattering II in circle. 1t may
be applied two or three times throughout
the growing season. Small applications
of nitrate frequently made on melons
in any other way you can use 1t on this
crop.
IMPROVEMENTS FOR CULTIvATING
COTTON.
NJ. 3. j.. Jewell, Ca, writes: would
like for you to suggest the most practical
aud economical implements to be used on
the farm for the entire year. especially
for the culture OF corn and cotton.
Which do you consider bettera one or
two-horse cultivator? We already have
Chattanooga disk pillow. drag harrow,
gasoline engine, a new Cole planter, be-
sides plows. etc.
For the cultivation OF cotton quite an
array OF implements Ia needed. We
Judge from your letters that you desire
to have US enumerate those necessary
for the working of the land and for use
throuekout the season until the crop Is
harvested First of all. disk pillow or
at least a No. u oliver chilled or other
type of turning plow Is necessary In
order that the land may be thoroughly
broken Some sort Of a frst-class bull
tongue, or better still. a subsoil pillow.
should be provided. This should follow
the turning pillow when the land Is bro
ken in the fall in order to give depth
to the soil. BY using bull tongue In the
fall II is hardly necessary to use 1t In the
spring in preparing the seed bed. The
preparation Of the bed will depend much
on the character and amount OF fertil-
izer 10 be used. Where lot manure or
compost Ia put under the drill row the
beds are best laid off with a middle bus
/ Ter. at least 10 inches wide, and which
: will penetrate the ground to depth
Of II inches The fertilizers and manure
are put together in this furrow and mixed
with a bull tongue or any other conven-
lent implement. turning plow Is used
in making the beds which are heaped up
rather high and allowed to stand until
they settle. After planting we have
found nothing better TO break the crust
| than the wceder. and then shallow Guilt
walton is persistently followed with an
implement. lire the Iron Age or Planet,
| Jr. cultivator. OF course, shallow cul-
tivation is only practical where the
ground has been properly prepared. and
the object OF the cultivation Is to re-
tain moisture and destroy weeds. When
| this lie done the growth should be uniform
and vigorous throughout the season. We
do not advocate the use OF two-horse