Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-04
SUPPLEMENTAL FERTILIZERS

soil. Ordinarily 200 pounds will be
found satisfactory; 500 pounds may be
used in extreme cases. The percentage
composition win vary with the land and
the crop. and il will be difficult to give
anything but the most general sugges-
tons relative to this matter.
On clay lands, generally speaking, 200
pounds Of a formula containing s to 3
per cent OF phosphoric acid g to 35 per
cent OF nitrogen, and 4 TO per cent
OF potash will be about right. On sandy
and loamy soils tending 10 a rather
marked deficiency in vegetable matter
use 10 per cent and upwards OF phos-
phoric acid. 4 to 5 per cent of nitrogen,
and to per cent OF potash. On very
thin land side applications may be in
creased 70 800 pounds per acre. In these
side applications organic nitrogen may
be used as the basis Of the mixture.
OF course, K should be combined with
some other form OF nitrogen rather more
quickly available than that contained in
cotton seed meal. This combination will
permit the quickly available source Of
nitrogen to be utilized until the slow
acting form is ready TO supply the needs
OF the plants. This arrangement, there
fore, constitutes a happy and satisfactory
combination.
on extremely thin soils side applica-
lions should be made with more frequen-
cy than on heavy soils. Where the at
tempt Is made to use as many as two
side applications the fertilizer probably
had better be put on at intervals of about
two weeks. In using supplemental fer
tilizers Il is important TO remember that
these must be put on early in the grow
ing season. Six weeks after planting
corn or cotton. or let US say 80 days az
ter IL is up will be a good time to put
on the first side application. The second
side application should be made ten days
before the corn Is punching to tassel
This is an important matter to bear In
mind. II Is well TO remember that In
using side applications on cotton, they
should be made at seasons which viii
tend to stimulate the growth and vigor
OF the plant without inducing an undue
amount of stalk which will OF necessity
tend to limit the formation of bolls and
lint Seasonal conditions will have a
great influence in determining the best
time 10 use side applications. In a
very wet season as large amounts may
not be necessary, and the time between
applications may be of greater dura-
ton than in a dry season should a
wet season prevail and then turn OF
dry suddenly a side application is often
desirable as preventing a sudden shock
to the plant which results in an excessive
shedding OF the bolls with cotton.
AS a rule. complete fertilizer used Tor
supplemental purposes should be scat
tered broadcast ahead of the cultivator
and incorporated with the soil Complete
fertilizers do not give their best re-
suits when left on top of the ground.
They may be easily incorporated With
the first two or three inches or soil by
the light cultivation essential to the
welfare of the crop. The transformation
of plant food. and the life activities Of
the plant as all know, are most active
near the surface of the soil; hence the
desirabllity of not covering the fertilizer
too deeply but sufficiently TO insure its
most rapid transformation and utillza-
ton by the plant. Where the fertilizer
is broadcasted, IL is anticipated that the
land has been thoroughly prepared. II
this has not been done there may be some
excuse for putting the fertilizer along
side the drill row. This practice Is not
to be recommended, however, as 1t TENDS
to cause the plant roots to bunch to-
gether and not spread out through the
soil where they have a better chance
OF gathering a larger proportion of mois-
ture than would otherwise be the case.
One or two side applications. depending
an soil and seasonal conditions. may be
made with safety and satisfaction on
most farms. and those who are figuring
on following this practice may rest as
sured that cotton seed meal NAV be used
with success as a source OF organic nj
troeen when used in the manner suggest
ed in this paper.