Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-10-27

~ last year. or a saving of exactly
sll2S5.
Realizing the Importance of determining
the fertilizer requirements OF the soil for
myself have staked of eight acres of
my land into ohe-tenth acre plots and
apply different amounts and proportions
OF fertilizer to each plot. In this way I
can determine the exact requirements of
my soil and know what TO apply in order
TO get the largest possible yields there
from.
learned at the college that my land
was acid. also that calcium carbonate or
ground limestone was the proper material
to correct this acidity. Being unable to
get this material without excessive trans
portation charges. ! got car of burned
lime. Although this material was applied
late in the season and the crop planted
Immediately / was expecting some bene-
ut from IL. but 1 must confess that
was surprised the growth was so Wig
orous. In a test with this material j
found that an application of 1000 pounds
Of lime per acre was far superior to 500
pounds of high grade fertilizer This
lime of course acts as a soil stimulant
so the crop of legumes now growing
upon the land will be turned under, there
by retaining the fertilizer elements, plus
the nitrogen gathered 10 the soil in
rapidly available form for the succeeding
crop. I will also increase the supply of
humus. which is badly needed
In view of the fact. that seed selection
is one OF the determining factors In crop
production l am doing some work along
this line. as a result of using good seed
corn this year, / increased the yield Is
bushels per acre. have also selected
some OF the best stalks OF cotton ! can
find in the field planted TO Improve cotton
and expect to plant the seed from each
stalk In a separate plot TO determine the
strongest ones from which TO select seed
next year
AT this writing have 100 hogs to kill
that will average 200 pounds each and
plenty OF feed 10 fatten them l have
a pure bred Tamworth boar and ! have
Just received a pair of registered Berk-
shire pigs from the College farm l ex-
pect to breed some registered Berkshire
pigs for sale as stock hogs and raise
Berkshire-Tamworthi crosses for making
bacon. have noticed that they grow
larger and make better quality OF meat
I have bought u head of cattle to feed
this winter and already see the need of
a silo. So IL I come out ahead on this
deal 1 shall venture further into IL next
wear. have a large barn and next
wear in order to secure the roughage re-
ouired TO feed a herd Of beef cattle i viii
have TO save some OF my corn stalks. AS
I remember, IL is claimed that not less
than 20 per cent of the nutritious value
of the corn plant is in the leaves ana
stalk. see no reason why TINS enor-
nous supply of food should ne wasted
annually when there are anxious mouths
to consume Il. This material win have
to be cut. which will require an ensilage
cutter. Since I will have the cutter
for. this purpose I expect TO erect a silo
ana have plenty of this feed for my cat
tie.
I believe the live stock Industry is just
in its infancy in this part OF the state
The only drawbacks We have are hos
cholera and cattle ticks, both of which
we win have as long as stock continue
TO wander at large. our people are oe-
ginning TO see these things and we are
exnectinV a great change along this line
in the near future.
AS stated above, will never be able
TO estimate the value of my course at
the college and my only regret is that
couId not stay there four years. l am
verv thankful indeed for the help the
college has given me. Besides the good
derived from the short course while
there. the college furnishes me with val
liable information from time to time tha'
I could not get elsewhere.
Csigned) JOHN t. GRooVER.
Pidcock, Ga
GRADE COWS FOR DAIRY PuR.
/ POSES.
]. C. r., Eastman. Ca, writes; / an
| thinking of entering the dairy business
and will have to begin with practically
! ali grades owing to the cost. want e
n try the Holsteins. What do you thini
of them? At what age would an aver
age bull be useful for breeding? 1t /:
nv intention to raise hogs. poultry anC
do some trucking. Are silos practica