Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-08-29
SILAGE AND COTTON SEED
MEAL FOR BEEF CATTLE

hn a silo of the size mentioned. The
silage should be packed tightly as it is
put in.
hen the grass becomes short in the
fall and the cattle are brought up in the
lot and fed under a shed which will af-
ford protection from the cold wind and
rain. the ration should consist OF cotton
seed meal at the rate OF three to six
pounds. depending on the size and age of
the animals and the length of time they
are to be fed. and silage at the rate OF
30 10 20 pounds. Some dry roughness
should also be provided. hulls. oat straw
or shredded corn slower proving salts
factory. The dry roughness should be
put in the managers or placed in racks
in the yards where the animals can get
at il at viii. The racks should have
roof over them of sufficient size 10
keep the feed dry. Animals so fed and
handled from 30 to $50 days may be kept
in perfect condition and made to gain
from Is to 2.5 pounds depending on their
breeding and the skill with which they
are fed and handled. There is hardly
a farmer in Georgia who could not ham
die ndvantageously during the fall and
winter anywhere from six to dozen ami
mails. The yard manure resulting from
the feeding would pay the farmer a
handsome profit even If he handled the
animals without financial gain.
DANGER OF SOIL EXHAUSTION BY
FERTILIZERS.
I. o. T., Elberton, Ga. writes: VIII
nitrate OF soda used continually on land
exhaust the land of qualities that are
necessary for the raising OF crops? The
people here have been using nitrate OF
soda as top dressing on cotton lust
before they lay il by, and also on grain
Just before they get ready to cut it.
Nitrate of soda is an artificial source
OF nitrogen used to stimulate and re-
invigorate growth on soils In which the
nitrogen supply is deficienct, or where
II is desirable TO force the crop along by
giving il an abundance of that element
OK plant food the principal function of
which Is to stimulate growth. Naturally.
IL nitrate OF soda be applied to the land
in considerable quantities, ii not only
supplies the crop with the food it needs,
but Il also by reason of the VIGOROUS
growth produced enables the crop to
take up from the soil much larger sup.
piles OF plant food than might otherwise
De the case. To this extent it tends to
exhaust the fertility OF the land. 1t is
not calculated. however, to exhaust The
soil in more than the use of heavy
appheations OF various other forms of
fertilizing material Any system OF
agriculture whfeh edepehds altogether on
commercial fertilizers can only result in
the impoverishment Of the land. ANY
plan which contemplates the improve
ment Of our soils must include crop ro-
fations, the use of green manures and
yard manures. together with deep plow-
ing. Commercial fertilizers should be
a part Of the plant food in which a Civ.
used as soil amendments, and 10 supply
en- area of land may be markedly de-
ncient, but they should not be depended
on as the sole source of crop produc-
ton. 1t is perfectly proper to use nitrate
OF soda as a top dressing on cotton
ar the rate Of IS to loo pounds per acre,
depending on the richness of the land
and the character of growth it makes.
Nitrate OF soda is best applied on cotton
about June ! to Is. in the northern part
or the state, and possibly as late as
July In the southern part Of the state.
IL Is also a good plan to use nitrate of
soda or sulphate of ammonia as q top
dressing on cereals. The application
may be made once or twice during the
growing season II as much as $50
pounds are used 1t is best to put IL on
In two applications Of equal amounts.
FOR Err,r TOY