Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-11-22

, OF the role he can advantageously fol-
low in this important work.
II is pertinent at this juncture to
consider the influence which fertilizers
exert on earliness Of maturity. 1t Is
pretty well established, for instance,
that many of our soils are deficient in
phosphoric acid, and il has. been shown
over and over again that through appli-
cations OF acid phosphate, basic Stag
and phosphate rock that not only in
creased yields but early maturity is Sc
cured. II is possible that larger appli-
cations OF phosphate than are now used
will be found desirable under boil wee
vii conditions. In sections where pot
ash is so deficient in the soil as TO
cause rusting among the plants applica-
tons of this material will be found very
helpful Nitrogen, Of course, essen
tial in many soils will tend possibly to
delay maturity to a certain extent. It's
effect, however, will be determined
largely by the relative per cent of phos-
phoric acid and potash applied. In 9TH
er words, IL a light application Of nj
trogen is made, ii will probably be adj
visable to advance materially the
amount Of phosphoric acid, and some
times potash applied to these areas.
Fertilizers may, therefore, be counted
on to aid in the campaign for Fastening
lime have been made, but where 1t has
been used alone it apparently has not
FASTENED maturity. This is probably
due to the relative small amounts or
phosphoric acid in most soils. When
used, however, in conjunction with
commercial fertilizers decided benefit
has bene observed. This benefit would
probably be more marked when our
lands are well supplied with vegetable
lime
stone rock replaces caustic or air-slaked
lime. More decided and pronounced ben
efits will probably follow the use OF
lime and raw phosphate rock or floats
on soils which are well supplied with
vegetable matter through the systemat-
&c blowing under of green crops.
In meeting boil weevil conditions fer
tilizers will therefore play an important
part, but not more important than a
systematic rotation of crops and the de-
struction of all material which may af-
ford cover to this pest 1t is certainly
undesirable that cotton stalks should be
burned, as the loss of organic matter
is very considerable, and IL can only be
replaced at great loss. Burning is par
ticularIy unfortunate, since the SOILS OF
the southeastern states are very def1-
cient in vegetable matter, as shown
by the fact that marvellous increases in
Yields are secured from these soils when
green crops are plowed under or yaro
manure applied in liberal amounts. 1t
has been demonstrated, however, by
the Investigations made up to date that
the burning OF the cotton stalks is one
OF the most efficient methods of check
ing the advance of the boil weevil
While IL can not be radicated by this
method, It's numbers can be frequently
so reduced each autumn as to make IL
possible to grow profitable crop or cot
ton the next season. If the burning
Of cotton stalks. however, is to become
a general practice, IL but emphasizes
what has already been pointed out as
an essential part of the farm practice
of the south, namely, the systematic ro-
tatton OF crops in which the legumes
shall be grown for the purpose of pro-
viding humus in the soil Now is the
time TO prepare to store this needed
vegetable matter in the land. Several
years will elapse before many of the
southeastern states are invaded by this
pest, and if the rotation which nature
will impose. once the boil weevil in
vests this section, is planned out and
carefully pursued, the farmer will be
prepared to meet the boil weevil inva-
sion with comparative complacency. If
forethought is not taken, the loss is
bound TO be very serious and will great
Iy disturb economic conditions in each
OF these states for series of years.
BENEFITS OF A BALANCED RATION
FOR PLANTS.
T. s. J.. Jefferson, Ga, writes: I
wrote you last winter in regard to a
balanced plant food for cotton and you
suggested an S-3-4. Acting under your
advice we mixed 1000 pounds IF 16 per
cent acid phosphate, 334 pounds of nj
trate OF soda. and $50 pounds Of muri-
ate OF potash, and put In at the time