Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-24

I brought on largely by his failure To
return TO the soil in abundance those
elements OF plant food which are now
regarded as essential by our agricul-
tural chemists 1t is not surprising
that the yield of wheat, for instance,
should have decreased in the section
where il formerly made such abundant
yields. for the straw which contains
about three-fourths Of the total
amount OF potash required by the crop
was generally burned so that the vari-
Gus natural agencies aided in sweeping
IL away and depicting the soil content
OF this element to an undesirable de-
gree. Relatively speaking, the same
, result has taken place I'm the orchard
and truck areas, and in the cotton
fields as well.
When it is realized that potash per-
forms various important functions in
plant economy, the desirability OF using
II in sufficient amounts to meet the re-
more and more apparent. For instance,
this element is known to play an i'm
portant part in the development of the
structure Of all plants. II is certainly
necessary to the formation of the woody
fiber Of the stalk and is concerned in the
elaboration and transference of starch
from one part Of the plant to the other.
Starch is elaborated in the leaves and
constitutes the basic food supply of the
plant From il is elaborated the various
other constituents which enter into the
composition and life activities Of the
growing crop Could any element per-
form more important or essential func-
tions in the service of mankind than
this?
Ii is now realized that potash is very
important TO such crops as roots, tubers,
beets and potatoes which contain large
quantities of starch. 1t is also of serv-
ice in perfecting and developing the fla
vor. color and quality OF fruit. When
applied to many crops, it stimulates
growth and enables them TO tide over pc
RODS in their life history which would
otherwise prove very destructive, mate
rally limiting the yield obtained from
the soil.
These facts set forth in a brief but
succinct form the draft made by our
principal crops on potash. and illustrate
the various essentian functions which it
performs in plant economy. They show
clearly why the farmer should ascer-
tain as thoroughly and completely as
possible the amount and availability OF
the potash which his soil may naturally
contain and supplement it whenever and
wherever deficient by commercial apph-
cations in sufficient quantity to meet the
needs OF the special crop to which the
land is to be devoted.
DIFFICULT LAND TO WORK.
c. o. l., Lafayette, Ala, writes: have
an acre OF dark loamy red land. with
a red clay subsoil that is inclined to be
gummy-like and I could not get two
horse plow 10 turn IL more than or 9
inches deep, but took bull-tongue scoot-
er and broke it 9 or 10 inches. The land
was in cotton last year and was kept
clean. intended getting some leaf mold
from the woods and filling up the rows
about half-fun of it. and then applying
about 500 pounds of cotton seed meal
acid and muriate of potash mixed. Do
YOU think this would be too much under
the drill row? Would appreciate any
suggestion you care to give me.
In breaking land of the character de-
scribed i'm your letter it is important to
bear I'm mind that you should not attempt
10 work it except when it is in proper