Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-18

IuETE are over one M4MAEGA AlNEc "a
soil in Georgia From this il appears
that the problem OF adapting fertilizers
70 the needs OF these soils and the crops
TO grow on them is a question of grave
Importance TO the farmer. Naturally,
the more nearly he can adapt the ferttl-
izers applied TO the natural deficiencies
in the soil the better results he is likely
TO obtain in the way OF increased crop
Yields Anything caluculated to throw
light on this important subject. there
fore is OF interest 20 all who own or
operate land. Il is manifestly impossible
10 undertake a discussion OF all the soil
types in a short paper. and in fact II
would not be possible TO do this with
any degree OF intelligence because OF the
very recent organization OF investigation
al work along this line. IL is possible,
however to offer some generalizations
concerning the deficiencies in few OF
our best defined soil areas.
The first extensive area met with IS
the sandy tract found in the south ana
southeastern portion OF the state The
son here varies from an almost pure
sand 70 a sandy loam- containing in some
Instances. especially when first reclaimed
from a virgin state. some vegetable mat
ter. AS long as the vegetable matter
lasts these soils are quite productive;
when IL gives out they become more
subject to drought an dto teaching than
formerly. and the character Of growth
is reduced. showing the early exhaustion
OF the supply Of available nitrogen from
the land.
Owing to the leachy nature OF these
soils an organic type OF nitrogen can
often be used 70 the best advantage, es-
peciaIly as they produce long season
crops under proper cultivation, such as
corn and sea Island cotton Good for
uulas 20 use on these lands VIII con-
tain from 10 10 u per cent OF phospnoric
acid. 20 per cent OF nitrogen, ana
10 10 per cent Of potash. II would not
~ possible to make such high-grade fer
tflfzer as this except where the best ma
teriaIs were used hut since a part OF the
nitrogen win be supplier as top dress
ing. cotton SEED meal will be found a
fine basis for the formula used on SOILS
y fthfs type. II has the advantage OF
Welding up its nitrogen with sufhcient
rapidity. and yet since Il must undergo
fermentation before Il becomes ayaiiaoie
10 the plant. Il is not likely TO be lost
from the as0il before the plant mas an
opportunity TO utilize it
The next type OF soil met with which Is
more or less distinctive In character Is
that found below the fall line. This
roughly speaking occupies a territory "
ing south Of a line drawn from the Vi
entity OF Augusta to the vicinity OF Co
lumbus The soils through this region
vary greatly in composition ana II Is
difHcuIt To prescribe for them. There are
lime sinks through this region which also
contains what is known as the red peb-
HE soil Some OF these soils are under
laid with red clay but II does not pre-
dominate 10 any considerable extent and
many OF them would on that account &c
classed as sandy loans THESE SOILS
when fresh grow crops OF vigorous char
acter, but as they become depicted OF me
available elements OF plant food through
continuous cultivation, they need hoerai
fertilization
these soils will vary much in the con-
tent OF plant food. but ordinarily
abont 10 per cent of phosphorus 80
20 4 per cent OF nitrogen, ana 70 .
ner cent OF potash will meet the needs
- most crops. provided a sufficient
amount OF plant food is applied IN
commercial form and the soil has been
properly prepared to receive the SEED
On this type OF soil organic nitrogen.
such as that provided by cotton seed
-rsaI viii be found very satisfactory,
ana probably one OF the cheapest
sources OF supply OF this essential ele-
rnent available TO farmers
The next area OF soil 20 which at
tention should be directed Is OF wide
extent and runs from a northeast 10 a
southwest direction across the state. II
As composed chiefly Of disintegrated
granite rock and may be characterized
as one Of the most important clay
belts OF the state. These soils contain
a little sand, but for the most part
are heavy in texture. having the ad-
hesive and retentive qualities charac-
tertistic OF most clay lands. Some OF
the areas in thi sregion are gray In
color due possibly 10 the teaching out
OF the iron. The subsoil is generally
OF red clay Naturally these soils are
among the strongest in the state. are
capable OF being built up quickly, and
produce large crops for an indefinite
period when skillfully handled
These soils may be fortified TO adj
vantage with formulas containing from
s TO 2 per cent OF phosphortc acid.
20 3 per cent OF nitrogen. and to
per cent OF potash. Formulas OF this
grade may be easily prepared by using
cotton seed meal as a basis They
will ferment the organic nitrogen add
ed 10 them in this form with sufficient
rapidity 20 meet the needs OF all save
truck crops. and hence in this section
which comprises one OF the greatest
cotton producing areas in the state. the
meal may be used with the greatest
advantage and in preference to the seed
as a source OF nitrogen.
The last area 10 which attention is
directed occupies the northwest section
OF the state. In this region there are
limestone areas Outcropping from time
20 time, and the soils are often char
acterized by evidences OF very con-
siderable natural fertility.
In this region an s-2-3 or an s-s-4
formula will be found satisfactory in
most instances OF course. on all the
areas referred 70 there are exceptions
20 the suggestions made. and IL might
be that on some types Of soil even IN
northwest Georgia. a 1855 would be
found more satisfactory than any other
which could be used. As the per cent
age OF sand increases in the soils of