Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-01-11

the time tneN nave QDthlheu the lESt
principles OF this subject. at our present
slow rate OF dissemination, the whole
method of soil management will have
changed so as to leave them relatively
as far behind as ever We live i'm an age
OF marvellous scientific advancement. TIE
thought that is new and startling todaS
is threadbare tomorrow. While the fly
ing machine has attracted the universal
attention Of the population as one OF the
marvels of the age. 1t is not any more
remarkable than many OF the discoveries
beig made with reference to the nutri-
tition OF plants and animals. and the
means by which defects in the soil may
be remedied and new qualities engrafted
on plants through a rational understand
ing OF the laws OF heredity.
INCREASING THE YIELD OF COT
TON.
+. r. W.. Pennington. Ga. writes: l
have seven acres Of fiat, loose, gray. oak
land which has been cleared FIVE years. 1
want TO make bale of cotton per acre on
IL. What kind Of fertilizer do you think
would be best to use. and should IL be
plowed deep or shallow
The profit from using any fertilizer for
mula on the land I'm question will depend
considerably on whether il is we'll under
drained or not You speak of the land
being low. If you mean that it is sub
ject to overflow or that il lies at the
base Of a hill and does not drain WELL
no amount Of fertilizer will insure a large
yield. as the surplus water which land
of this character is likely to contain does
not permit of free circulation of air
nor the deep roofing of the plant-two
things which are essential in large crop
Ia t. a. fall
drained. however, we would suggest that
you pillow IL. IL you have not done so al
ready. braking it deeply and very thor
oughly. Let the freezes act on 1t this
winter, bed out in the pspring and
apply the fertilizer under the drill
roy, say a week or ten days before plant
ing the cotton. We would not make high
beds, just enough to drain the water, as
level culture is much to be preferred
where II can be followed. We so often.
however. have a cold. wet spring that a
slight bed is of material advantage in
securing a stand. We would fertilize this
land literally as gray land is not natu-
rally rich in plant food. and we judge you
have not, added any vegetable matter or
yard manure, to il during the past hive
years. Every farmer should aim to sup
ply the amount of nitrogen needed by his
soil from the air. as he can do this by
growing leguminous crops very deeply.
Under the circumstances. however, il rs
probably best for you TO use at least d
2-10-4 fertilizer on this land. This may be
prepared by mixing together 600 pounds of
high-grade cotton-seed meal or $50 pounds
of 6.1S per cent cotton-seed meal 1908
pounds of high-grade acid phosphate, that
is Is per cent available. and 160 pounds of
muriate of potash. The small difference
in weight TO bring this up to 1000 pounds
may be supplied by adding rich woods
earth or compost, We believe IL you
will use this fertilizer at the rate of
500 pounds per acre, putting 800 pounds
under the drill row and 200 pounds as a
second application early in the season.
you will secure an extra good yield of
cotton IL the season is at all favorabIs.
II you find your cotton is not making
enough weed. an application OF 100 pounds
of nitrate of soda early in June will like
" prove profitable. 81. .t -.4s