Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-28

Other things which viii enter into and
exert a determining influence on the his
tory Of the particular crop in question
are water. nitrogen and carbonic acid
Gas. Plants consist largely Of carbon
and they obtain this element directly
from the air which carries considerable
Quantity OF carb0nic acid gas. and in its
circulation brings fresh supplies Of this
element to the leaves OF the plant where
It is absorbed Water must come to the
soil IN the form Of rain Plants re-
ouire an enormous amount OF water
Sometimes we do not fully realize this
factor at its face value. To produce, for
instance. an acre OF a cereal crop calls
for the absorption by the growing plants
OF several thousand tons OF food-laden
water it's transference from the roots
10 the stem and it's evaporation into the
AR through the pores Of the leaves II
this be true the soil must be put into
condition 70 absorb and hold an abund-
ant supply OF water. and IL is on this
account that deep blowing and subsoiling
Of the heavier clay lands becomes such
an Important and essential matter IN
crop production
An examination Of number of Georgia
tvpe soils shows that many OF them are
more or less deficient in nitrogen. Now
nitrogen is one OF the essential clements
Ut2WT -
from q variety OF sources For instance.
It may be replaced in the soil through the
use OF yard manure OF green crops plow-
ed under. II can be added to the SOL
IN considerable quantities through plow-
ing under legurnes. such as the cow
pea soy beans and velvet bean. 1t may be
applied to the soil directly in COM
merciaI form. but this Is an expensive
ana undesirable method of procedure for
the average farmer. Moreover. when used
IN q commercial form the mechanical con-
dftfon Of the land is not improved.
whereas. when a green crop IS ployed
under decided changes in the mechanical
condition are observed Nitrogen should
therefore be supplied as a rule through
growing crops to be fed to stock and
fhe manure returned TO the soil AS IL
viii not be possible for many years to
supply the needs OF the soil in nitrogen
By this process. we must depend largely
on securing Il from the air through the
growth OF Iegumes. 1t Is a comparatively
simple matter to build our soils up in
nitrogen and vegetable matter BY this
process since there are $500 tons OF
nitrogen resting over every acre Of land
in Georgia and but waiting TO serve the
needs Of the farmer.
Having considered the factors affect
ing crop growth from above the ground
as AZ were. let US next consider those
working below the surface A crop needs
besides other things a supply Of sui
phur, iron, magnesium. chlorine. sodium
and manganese Practically all soils in
the world supply these elements A
crop also needs humus. nitrogen. phos-
phorus and frequently potash and lime
A great many soils do not supply these
elements in proper amount IT. there
fore. becomes necessary for the farmer
to find out the deficiencies of his soil
and 70 add a sufficient amount OF nitro
gen, phosphorus. potash or lime. as the
case may be. 10 balance up the food sup
ply OF the soil After having done this
he must put the land in condition by
intelligent tillage to enable the soil wa
ter absorbed as rain to act on these va
rious elements and carry a stream OF
food-laden water 10 the roots OF the
plant Just In proportion as this food
laden water feeds the plants viii they
yield
what may be done to accentuate the
Weld. therefore. is a matter OF great
concern TO the farmer. In the first
nine inches OF a given soil there were
found 70 be 2.sT0 pounds of nitrogen; in
the second nine inches. 2.1s0 pounds. and
in the third nine inches. 1850 pound d.