Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-05
SOIL TESTS FOR GEORGIA FARMERS


these two soil types which lie very much
In the same latitude.
While many more illustrations quite
striking as these could be presented, 1t
is not intended to tire the reader. but
simply 10 point out the necessity of hav-
ing a correct basis on which to judge
OF the deficiencies Of our soils. and how
TO supply them with the greatest econ
omy To do this no system has yet
been devised superior to that which has
been instituted in Georgia. 1t is simply
a question OF time until the data needed
by the farmer can be secured. or course,
the work can be continued on its present
basis and the results acquired in the
course of 80 OF 100 years, but if the far
mer desires to have the information
which is to give him the largest meas
ure Of control over his soil, II will be
necessary for much larger sums OF
money TO be appropriated for this inn
portant line Of work by the state.
USING NITRATE OF SODA ON CORN.
c. t. S. writes: I have a field Of
corn that 1 am using 500 pounds OF fer
tilizer per acre on and I want to use
nitrate OF soda later on. WIN you
please tell me how to use IL to get the
best results?
Nitrate of soda should be applied to
corn about two weeks before it begins
to silk and tassel. II put on later than
this the chances are that ii will in
crease the growth OF stalk and leaf ct
the expense of grain.
Nitrate may be broadcast between
the drill row. IL should be put near
the surface OF the ground and not COW
cred BY the SOIL Put it on after, rath-
er than before the rain. 1t would APP
pear as a white crystal or powder on
the surface OF the ground after it has
been sown but you will be surprised to
see how quickly the moisture will arise
to the surface and cause II to dissolve.
Passing into the ground as it does in
form Immediately available to plants
IL is very quickly assimilated and its eT-
feet on the growth becomes apparent
few days after IT has been applied.
One hundred to one hundred and fifty
pounds should constitute a satisfactory
application to corn on most soil On
extremely thin land or where the corn
has made a rigorous growth. 200 pounds
can sometimes be used to advantage.
1t is better ordinarily TO not use more
than 100 pounds at a single applica-
ton.
CULTIVATION or RED CLOVER.
J. NJ. p. Valdosta, Ga, writes:
send a clover bloom and want to know
what kind il is. 1t seems to do we'll.
1 would like TO know when to SOW it
and how much to use to the acre.
Where could I get good first-class
seed2
The specimen sent appears to be a
head of red clover, but it was so badly
faded and crushed that IL is difficult
TO tell what the original color was.
This clover grows in various parts or
the United States. but it is not extern
sively cultivated in Georgia. 1t will
possibly grow very well in many sec
tons where the land is deep, moist and
porous and we'll supplied with lime. 1t
does not do well On acid soils. In many
sections OF the south clover experiences
sickness which proves destructive to 1t.
They have developed a strain of resist
ant seed at the Tennessee station
which has not been widely distributed
as yet. but 1T promises to make possible
the growing OF this clover more ex-
tensively in the future than has been
possible in the past Red clover may
be sown either in the fall or spring.
1t should be put on moist rich land
well supplied with vegetable matter and
free from acid. Fertilize the soil well,
especially II ID dCAIs Win a
OF 500 pounds Of fertilizer containing 3
TO 10 per cent of phosphoric acid, and
TO per cent OF potash. Sow the
seed at the rate Of IL to 10 pounds per
acre Scatter IL on the surface of the
ground and work in well with a weeder.
II may be sown from the 18th of Sep
TENDER to the 18TH OF October. 1t is
important TO SOW IL rather early so as
10 enable it to develop a good root sys-
tenn before cold weather sets in. This
crop sometimes produces crops for two
years in succession. II makes a hay
Of superior quality, rich in protein and
finely adapted foe feeding all classes
OF live stock properly cured. You can
secure seed of red clover from any re-
liable scotsman. The price varies so
materially that a suggestion along this
line would not be Of much service at
this time We do not think you would
find IL practicable to grow red GLOVER
extensively in your section as you can
raise many other legumes which are
more certain TO give uniform yield IN
an average season than this crop. Grim
son clover is certainly well adapted for
growth in your section Of the state, and
we are disposed to think you will find
alsike clover harder than red clover for
use in south Georgia.
MANAGEMENT OF AN ALFALFA
PATCH.
NJ. II. NJ, Milledgeville. Ca, writes
have two rows Of alfalfa in my gar
den for my chickens. One row was
planted a year ago and inoculated; the
other row was planted this spring a
foot from the first row, but not inocu-
lated Both rows have done finely until
now the leaves look shriveled and dead.
Does IL need a stimulant Of some kind?
The ground is comparatively rich.
used chicken manure and leaves with
the alfalfa What should be added to
chicken manure 10 make a good vege-
table fertilizer? What will keep worms
out Of squash, cucumbers and toma-
toes?
Your alfalfa may be suffering from
one OF several troubles. The alfalfa
rust often proves destructive in this
section. It is thought by some to be
due to the tenacious character of much
of our clay lands and heavy rainfalls
which do not permit as much aeration
of the deep feeding roots as seems