Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-31

tion is the cultivation OF potatoes. In
those sections where the climate is cool
and moist or where the crop may De
grown from fan or early spring plant
ing attention should be directed to the
cultivation or Irish potatoes. In those
sections where the soils are OF sandy
or semi-sandy character energy should
be conferred on the growth OF sweet po-
tatoes. Both Of these crops may be
made very profitable If they are cult
waited with the necessary skill and the
land properly prepared and ferul1eo'
The rapid congestion OF American
cities and the tendency TO move OF the
land now so general means that these
two important food crops will become
higher priced from year to year ana
become more and more profitable TO the
successful grower.
IKE All other farm crops Irish po-
tatoes can be introduced into rotation
with great advantage. In fact IL the
weld OF this most desirable tuber Is 10
be kent I'D TO the maximum and the
quality secured which the market de-
rnauds. the soil must be well supplied
with vegetable matter. This may De
secured through the use of yard ma
uure but better success viii be OBJ
tanned from the use OF green manures,
such as the principal legumes- Where
clover can be turned under for this crop
4, should be used. and in those sections
where the cowpea grows well ii may be
used as a substitute for clover. In the
srovrth Of sweet or Irish potatoes II is
important that the land be thoroughly
prepared and be as free from weeds
and trash as possible FAN plowing
will often be advisable. but II the land
Is broken in the spring IL should be
prepared well in advance OF planting
tine and allowed TO settle and form
firm seed bed. II green crops are plow-
ed under they should be well decayed
before planting time as TO afford
a firm. moist seed bed for the spread
and development OF the roots OF the
Young plants. The distance or plant
ing this crop and the varieties 10 Sc
lsct can best be determined by the farm
er for himself II he studies and con-
sfders carefully the type OF potato
which the market in his section de-
maudss and the varieties which are most
resistant 10 disease and best suited 10
cultivation in his soil. he will be follow
ing the wisest and safest course Wnlcn
can be suggested.
In the production OF these two crops
which are essentially OF the truck type,
the question OF fertilizers plays a most
important part, and though vegetable
matter NAV be used in abundance. any
crop which has a comparatively shors
period OF growth and must be forced
large yield and desirable quality viii re-
ouire the application of very consider
able quantities Of commercial plant
food. Supposing that the farmer has
supplied the needed organic matter, II
is next important to consider what type
and quantity of commercial plant food
should be applied A complete fertilizer
viii be necessary on many soils, though
on some OF the newer lands nitrogen
I'd in
but a light application viii likely prove
effective Experiments made up to the
present time seem to indicate that the
use OF muriate of potash for potatoes
on clay soils is rather objectionable,
and that IL viii probably be better I'M
der all circumstances TO use as
source OF potash the sulphate-
good formula 10 use on light soils
will be from 1000 TO 1000 pounds per
acre OF a mixture containing per
cent OF nitrogen. per cent OF phos-
phoric acid. and 10 per cent OF potash
The minimum application on this type
OF land would be 1000 pounds From
I 500 TO 1000 pounds frequently prove
very profitable TO growers who have
had any experience in the suse Of fer
tiIizers. and, therefore. know how to
appIy them so as 10 stimulate the crop
10 the best advantage and secure the
largest return from the investment
made in commercial plant food On
heavier soils from 500 to 1000 pounds
per acre Of a mixture containing %
20 IS per cent OF nitrogen, per cent
of phosphoric acid and per cent OF
potash will be found very satisfactory.
The source from which the potash
should be obtained has already been
discussed. The phosphoric acid may
properly be derived from acid phos-
phate and the nitrogen from one or
more sources For instance, IL might
be well TO use sodium nitrate or some
tankage or cotton seed meal or even
some ammonium sulphate 50 that the
nitrogen viii become available with
varying degrees OF rapidity.
The first formula suggested viii be
found well suited 20 sweet potatoes,
though probably an application OF 1000
pounds per acre viii be about right for
this crop. There are conditions, OF
course. where larger amounts may be
used with advantage. Sweet potatoes
wiz naturally do best on a lighter and
sander type OF soil than Irish potatoes.
and therefore. liberal fertilization be-
comes advisable. The reason for ad
vising the use OF a formula OF the type
suggested is due TO the fact that pota-
toes make a very heavy draft on potash
and phosphorus. and naturally they re-
quire a loamy soil and one in which
lneEe IS ko00 supply o. EdNncE 4uASA-
IL available nitrogen The formula
suggested supplies the elements in what
experience has shown TO be about the
best proportion 10 insure a profitable
return 10 the grower.
In this connection IL is well 10 en-
phasIze the necessity of the farmer
selecting his seed with care and seeing
that IL is free from disease. for many
failures with the potato crop are due
10 carelessness in this respect II is
important also TO remember that this
article Is merely suggestive in nature
and that on very sandy soils formulas
containing as much as 5 per cent OF
nitrogen 10 per cent Of phOsphOric acid.
and 10 or even IL per cent OF potash
will sometimes be found more profitable
than the lower percentages suggested
for use on fairly typical of what may
De termed average potato lands.
TREATING COTTON SEED WITH
FORMALDEHYDE.
j.. T. =. Asnburn. Ga, writes: 1 no
tice that YOU recommend treating cotton
seed with formaldehyde before planting
! would be glad TO know what this
treatment is used for and how IL is
prepared before using.