Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-28


comparison should be made OF the
different kinds OF corn In a given locality.
Attention has been called before to the
wonderful variation in yields which are
observed from time to time. 1t is also
noteworthy that there are some strains of
corn grown in various sections OF the
state which have comparatively ancient
lineage. having been handed down In
few Instances from the days Of the great
grandfather TO the present generation.
These varieties are undoubtedly suscept-
ible Of much further Improvement, and
they no doubt possess those basic char
acteristics which will most quickly en-
able the establishment OF strains of SUI
perior merit for cultivation in a given
locality. When one begins the study OF
varieties In the home section. it is as
tonishfng how. many facts OF interest and
Importance as affecting the yield will
be observed; how many undesirable traits
IN one variety as compared with another
viii be found. II will be seen, for in
stance, that some varieties mature
earlier, some shed their pollen in adj
vance OF the silking; in others the ears
are not placed well; in some they are
TOO high. in others too low; in many they
point upward so that they catch all the
rain and thus the grain decays II the
season is wet; some varieties will he
ter able 10 resist the weevfl In some
there win be a much smaller per cent. OF
cob in proportion to grain These are
but few of the marked variations
which viii be observed. and there is moth
ing Of greater educational value to
those who cultivate corn than the actual
experience OF comparing these set char
scterisucs as to the desirability or I'M
oesirabllity OF these characteristics 8
they develop in the field and in the local
tiles where they are cultivated All these
things the adult farmer may do for him
self to Improve and increase his knowl-
edge of corn What teacher may not take
the boys and girls under his or her
charge into neighboring fields and study
IN natures great laboratory these very
important matters. We are continually
forgetting the importance of the little
Things and striving to accomplish some
thing great and startling the world with
new invention or by giving TO mankind
some wonderfully improved type of plant
or animal All these things are desirable
but they do not compare with the serv-
ice which may be rendered the rising
generation by pointing out to them, as
can easily be done with the most limited
facilities and knowledge on the part of
the teacher. how to eliminate undesir-
able characteristics and coordinate ideas
in the cultivation of corn which will
enable marvellous Improvement in its
yielding power.
ExHAUSTING SOILS THROUGH FER
TILIZERs
]. E. G., Madison. Ga. writes There is
theory advocated here that the use OF
nitrate OF soda has a tendency to depIete
the soil OF plant food in that It produces
such a vigorous growth that the sue
ceeding year the soil is left in a more
impoverished condition. Please give me
your opinion of this contention
Nitrate of soda is a plant tonic and
stimulant- When there is a deficiency OF
available nitrogen in the soil and one
applies nitrate OF soda. its effect is shown
by the more vigorous color of the plant
and us more rapid growth and develop
ment- This change is often witnessed
when nitrate is applied TO oats and cotton
and corn that are in a somewhat dwarfed
condition and yellow in color. The fact
that nitrate OF soda stimulates the
growth of the plant means that It in
creases its ability as well to take up
phosphorus and potash and the other
essential elements needed for its devel-
opment. and also enables IL to range out
over a wider territory and utilize more
completely in nitrogen in the soil which
may be In a condition assimilable by
plants. For these reasons IL is easy to
see that the use of nitrate of soda
might tend from one point of view to
deplete the soil of plant food but 1t does
not do so any more than the use Of any
other form Of commercial plant food. It
is quite evident from a study of the
plant economy that the fertilizer we use
on cur lands does not supply the plants
with. the amount of food they need to
mature crop of sufficient size to prove
profitable, and what we need TO do is to
make a soil survey of the state and find
out the amount of available plant food in
the SOIL the existing deficiencies and
how to supply these in an economic man.
ner and in sufficient quantities 10 ball
ance up the food supply of the soil.
At present we are only gambling and
1inkering with the soil and using enough
OF one kind of plant food to stimulate
growth to a proper degree but withhold
ing another kind without which the plant
can not make a uniform growth and de-
velopment and insure a profitable yield.
Nitrate of soda II used excessively would
stimulate growth and development at the
expense OF fruit. but do not think it is
used in large enough quantity to produce
this result on many Of our Georgia soils.
Ion the other hand. If there is a defcien-
icy of available nitrogen in the soil and
plentiful supply of phosphorus and pot
deus the pidul can not ucNeiOp as II
should because of a lack Of one essen
tial element. There must be perfect
balance in the food supply of the soil.
ARTICHOKES AS A HOG FOOD
c. A. s.. Lncolnton. Ca. writes: What
do you think OF artichokes for hogs?
When should they be planted and how
many to the acre?
The Jerusalem artichOke is probably
the best to plant for hogs and for this
purpose they constitute one of the best
/ crops which can be grown. They are
perfectly hardy and will stay in the
ground all winter thus affording graz
ing for hogs for several months of the
year. It is unnecessary to dig them in
| this climate, the only precautions being
to keep the animals off the ground when
II is too wet. and OF course, there may
be few days during the course of the
year when the ground is frozen and the
animals can not so readily get at the
artichokes. This crop should be planted
and cultivated exactly like Irish pota-
toes. Prepare the land by deep and thor
i rrrn MAJ