Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-14

only way. NO unpaSteurlzeu mix
nitrogen carried in a given formula is
stated first. then comes the phosphorus
and then the potash. The reason for
adopting this method is probably due
to the fact that the nitrogen is generally
the element which is first exhausted from
the soil, then the phosphorus and lastly
the potash. OF course, this ratio does
not always hold good. for I'm sandy lands
potash may be quite as deficient as any
other element. OF course, these three ele-
ments are not the only ones which may
be lacking in the SOIL for lime is often
wanting but they constitute the rule
rather than the exception. In stating a
formula. a 2-S-4, therefore, means per
cent of nitrogen per cent of phosphorus
and per cent of potash For some rea-
con, in the southeastern section, and par
ticularly in Georgia and evidently in
Florida, the formula has been transform
ed and is generally stated as an S-2-4
that is per cent of phosphorus, per
cent of nitrogen and per cent of potash
There is no objection to using the formula
in this way. except that It is not in ac-
cord with the standard adopted and wide
IIy used, both in this country and abroad.
To state a formula as 2-S-4 may be
slightly confusing to any one not familiar
with the peculiar practice in Georgia
and some other states, but in order that
there may be no misunderstanding Of this
matter. it is deemed best to adopt one
formula and the one which will be used
is the one most commonly understood and
appreciated in this territory, namely the
S-2-4, that is putting the phosphorus first,
the nitrogen second and the potash last.
r~x- r, rsrr rNrrs r-rro TTTCIJ VTErIn OF
COTTON.
A. s. NJ. Alpharetta, Ga, writes:
have 20 acres Of land that I want to
put in cotton. 1t made half bale to-
the acre last year and this year I want
to make a bale. 1t is gray land with
red subsoil / am turning it, ten
inches deep. L aim to put 400 pounds
OF 1923 fertilizer. What is the bes'
way to plant and cultivate it, on the
level or on a bed?
After turning the land as thoroughly
as possible, disk and harrow IL until
fine seed bed has been secured. Then
lay off the rows four feet apart ana
open a wide deep furrow. Draw two
burrows together making a low bed and
planting the cotton thereon. You speak
of planting on the level. You need only
raise the cotton slightly about the level
by the method indicated, but still you
will have it raised enough to secure
good drainage. If the season is favor
able planting on the level would be all
right. and the cotton would be benefited
rather than injured by this practice, but
in a wet season planting on the level
nearly always results in a poor stand
/ and the crop does not grow Off as rap
idly as ii should. On gray land with a
red subsoil it would be better to use
little more fertilizer, say 400 pounds un'
der the drill rev at the time of plant.
ing, and 200 pounds as a side applica-
ton, say 80 days later OF course, the
time Of putting on the side application
will depend somewhat on the growth
made by the crop. The side application
should be scattered ahead of the Guilt
vator and worked into the soil. side
lapplication containing both phosphorus
and potash should be put IN. relatively
early so as to give the crop ample time
in which to assimilate these elements OF
plant food.
If you secure plenty of seed, 1923
fertilizer may be all right but we WOULD
prefer to use a 1854, and If there is
tendency to rust on the part Of the cot
ton, the potash should be increased to 8
per cent. Sometimes an application or
nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia
as a top dressing about the list to 18th
of june will be found helpful. Use 100
pounds for this purpose. This is to
stimulate the crop at the time it is
setting on fruit If the crop is in good
condition and showing a fine green colon
and fruiting freely, then the top dress
ing may be withheld; if the opposite
condition is true. then it should be
used After the cotton is up and thin
ned to a stand, practice shallow cultiva-
tor keeping il up as late into the sea-
son as possible
THIS LAND NEEDS TO BE ROTATED.
T. J. P, Decatur, Ca, writes: l have
piece of bottom land than has been in
corn for about "a years. 1t made good
crops until about six years ago, and has
been gradually failing in yield since that
date 1t makes plenty of stalk but
| produces only nubbins. Up to that time
use barnyard manure but since nave
used commercial fertilizer and very lit
tie manure. 1t is a dark soil with pipe
/ s,fbeni1 Kindly tell me tho hest fartil-