Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-04-19

containing 4 per cent of nitrogen, per
cent of phosphoric acid and 10 per cent of
potash. Such a formula may be pre-
pared as follows: Mix together LOCO
pounds of high-grade acid phosphate, 500
pounds of high-grade blood and 400 pounds
of sulphate of potash. Another good
formula to use, but which will not con-
tain quite so much phosphoric acid and
potash is as follows: Mix together 800
pounds of acid phosphate, 600 pounds of
tankage. containing per cent of nitro
gen and II per cent of phosphoric acid,
200 pounds of nitrate of soda, containing
16 per cent of nitrogen, and 400 pounds of
high-grade sulphate OF potash. sulphate
of potash is best used under potatoes,
because the muriate is thought by some
to interfere to some extent with the
cooking qualities, being accused of pro-
ducing a potato which is somewhat slick
er and more watery, and when cooked is
not as mealy and nice as where the sui
plate is used. There Is much dispute
on this point, however. many contend
ing that as good results are obtained
from one form as another; however, 1t
will cost but little more to use the sui.
phate and II is considered good practice
TO give ii preference over the muriate for
Irish potatoes. This fertilizer should be
used on Irish potatoes at the rate of
500 to 1000 pounds per acre, and on on
ions from 1000 to 1900 pounds. Some
growers use as much as 1900 to 1000
pounds under potatoes, and ton under
onions. Unless you have had large ex-
perience In growing these crops, we would
not advise you to make too heavy an APP
plication of fertilizer at first, because the
returns from fertilizer depend to a con-
siderable extent on the amount of vegeta-
bic matter in the soil, the care with
which the seed has been selected, and
the cultivation given the crop. It is bet
ter, therefore, to make haste slowly in
the beginning.
So far as making a compost is con-
cerned, 1t is not necessary to do that,
and yard manure applied as suggested
will be perfectly satisfactory method Of
applying IL. The fertilizer may also
be put under the drill row or it may be
broadcast for onions. since they will be
planted close together. 1t should in
either instance be put down SO as to not
come in contact with the seed. Moreover,
for both OF these crops II may be APP
piled at the time OF planting. The refuse
which accumulates under your horses
may be scattered over the ground with
advantage. or course. 1t is not as rich
and valuable az yard manure, but II will
contain some fertilizing properties which
will be helpful to the land.
H. H. Cedartown. Ca, writes: I am
young farmer just starting out In life
and am trying TO do good farming, and
very much appreciate your advice in The
Semi-Weekly Journal. have some warm
high slaty land which produces we'll on
which wish to, grow cotton. The land
was In oats last year, and part OF it
followed by peas. have turned the land
with a two-horse pillow about six or seven
inches deep. About what will IA acid
and high grade cotton seed meal ana
lyze. that is two tons of acid and one
ton OF meal, as that is the way I wish to
mix II. . ..-
It is the purpose of the agricultural col
umns OF The Semi-Weelly Journal to be
OF service to all, but more especially
to the young farmer who is starting out
and trying to make a success of his &C.
cupation, and who is sincerely anxious
! TO follow good methods. Upon his success
depends the future of the commonwealth:
therefore, he Is especially to be consid-
cred You may either mix your fertilizer.
yourself or buy it already. prepared This
question Is best decided by securing.
prices from a number OF firms handling
fertilizer and then ascertaining the cost
OF the unmixed fertilizer and determining
whether II Is best to buy ready mixed or
do the work yourself. There Is no mystery
about mixing fertilizer. and II you Sc
lect n good hard piece, OF ground or a
floor and screen the material and do the
work thoroughly. you can prepare sat-
isfactory fertilizer at home RI you will
mix together Is-4, acid. potash mixture
ard cotton seed nTealrin the proportion or
| 1900 and 500 pounds resrectivelv you will
secure a fertilizer which will analyze
about 2.5 per cent available nitrogen 10.S
per cent available phosphoric acid and 35
per cent Of available potash This fertiliz-
er should give excellent results on cot
ton used at the rate of 500 pounds per
acre. AS the nitrogen Is in an organic
form. and not likely TO be readily leach
ed out OF the soil. there is no objection
10 putting the fertilizer under the drill
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