Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-15
FERTTLIZING THE FALL GARDEN

vantage. For a small garden, however
IL is both undesirable and unnecessary
that several formulas be used.
II is true that some crops require q
larger amount OF nitrogen than others
which can easily he supplied through side
applications or top dressings.
Owing to heavy rains which often oc-
cur in the autumn teaching and washing
may take place even in a well protected
garden II is important therefore that
the larger part used in these crops he
applied in an organic form. While sew
eral forms OF organic nitrogen may be
used there is nothing cheaper, better or
more satisfactory than cotton seed meal
This may very properly be made the
basis OF the fertilizer mixture employed
on the fall garden. For garden crops
a formula containing to 10 per cent
OF phosphorfc acid. Three TO IL
per cent Of nitrogen and to eight
per cent OF potash will be found
very satisfactory. Use the highest per-
centage indicated on the sander, lighter
soils aud the lower percentage on the
heavier land. At least 1000 pounds Of
fertilizer per acre should be used under
all garden and truck crops. The fertn-
izing material is best applied underneath
the drill row at the time the seeding
or transpsanting Is done. For early
planted crops such as beans and turnips
either grown for the roots or salad the
fertilizer may be applied along side Of
the drill row and worked into the soil
with a hoe rake or some OF the special
lied forms OF garden cultivating tools
now on the market. Very often more
than one application of the above for
mula viii prove advisable for these
crops There Is little, danger OF loss by
fermentation where cotton seed meal is
used as the source OF nitrogen. This ma
terial has the great advantage Of becom-
ing relatively speaking slowly trans
formed into ammonia or nitrate, though
with sufficient rapidity to meet the re-
quirements Of those garden crops which
make their best development during the
cool autumn and winter months
If you have not started a fall garden
by all means do something In this direc-
ton. II will add much in the way of
luxury to the table 1t may be made a
source OF revenue to the boys and girls
and a qualification to the owner. Vege-
tables are easy 10 grow If the land is
properly prepared, well supplied with
vegetable matter and fortified as has
been suggested. Few investments will
pay so large an increment on so small an
outlay and bring so much enjoyment
happiness and health to the home.
WHICH TO SELECT FOR SEED.
II. E. w, Carlton, Ca, writes: The
question has arisen as to which is bet
ter to save seed corn from the top or
bottom ear. I would be glad to have
your experience in regard to this matter.
We have examined into the question
of seed corn with some care for sever
al year past, and experience would indi-
cate that il makes little difference
whether the top or bottom ear is Sc
lected, provided the ear is we'll develop
ed and perfectly matured. Some time
a stalk may produce two ears and for
some reason hard to understand one OF
them viii be much more perfectly de-
veloped than the other. This will more
often happen TO be the top than the
bottom ear, though in many instances
both of them will be we'll developed. We
would not hesitate in any case to select
the best ear, and if there are two good
ears per stalk to use both of them for
seed The character of the parent
plant and the vigor displayed by the
strain or variety cultivated have as
much to do with securing a large yield