Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-14

The best methods OF applying CONNER
cial fertilizers have been widely dis
cussed. From our experience we would
offer the following suggestions If there
is a plentiful supply OF vegetable mat
ter in the soil practically all OF the
fertilizer may be put down at the time
OF planting the crop. especially when
the nitrogen is derived from an or
ganic source. and must undergo fermen-
tatiOn before the plant can utilize IL.
Where one cOntemplates using from 500
10 1.Q00 pounds OF fertilizer per acre
on leachy land OF that which is in
poor physical condition. We would be
disposed 10 put from 500 TO 500 pounds
under the drill row at the time or
planting for both corn and cotton.
Under the conditions prevailing on
many plantations at present il viii
often be advisable TO use one or two
side applications during the growing
season Of about 200 pounds each. These
side applications may be run close to
the drill provided the roots of the
growing crop are not injured. or the
fertilizer may be scattered ahead Of the
cuItivatOr and covered into the surface
soil TO a depth Of two 10 four inches.
depending on the development Of the
crop. The first side application may be
made from one month 10 six weeks after
the cropifs UP. and the second applica-
ton from three 70 four weeks later.
Where top dressings are used they
should be applied TO corn ordinarily
in Georgia from two TO three weeks
before il is ready to silk and tasseL
II two applications are used the second
should be put on when il is just get
ting ready TO bunch
For cotton. applications may be made
Hrr 81
July 10th. In south Georgia the first
application should be made ten days
TO two weeks earlier than in north
Georgia. while the last application
should be made by the Goth Of July.
Where quickly available forms Of nitro
gen are used they should be applied as
top dressings.
II part OF the mixture consists of an
organic nitrogen. Incorporation with
the surface soil. especially when the
weather is dry viii generally be adj
vfsable- As a rule. the poorer the
preparation OF the soil and the lower its
supply OF organic matter and nitrogen
on that account the more OF the plant
food which should be applied relative
Is near 10 the surface OF the soil and
side applications used AS conditions
vary from this standard more of the
plant food may be put in the soil. IN
southern Georgia or where the lands
are very sandy less plant food should
be put in the soil than where the land
is more retentfve as where clays pre-
dominate Top dressings have in our
experience proven profitable for most
crops, and may be regarded as the
means OF overcoming unfavOrable sea-
soual conditions and the tendency some
times to blight or shed. Undoubtedly,
more nitrogen is needed by most Geor-
gfa crops than has been applied TO
them in the past.
Most OF our Georgia soils are deici-
ent in lime. and evidently many OF
them are acid. When the soil is acid
bacterial life can not develop in it as
rapidly as Is desirable. Lime may be
used TO- the purpose OF improving the
mechanical condition OF the soil, slim
ulating bacterial life correcting acid
ity. and setting free unavailable from
OF plant food. Various forms OF lime
may be used Ordinarily a ton C
caustic lime per acre viii be found a
fairly satisfactory application Very
finely ground limestone rock. provided
IL runs high in carbonate Of lime, may
be used IN the place OF the caustic
lime. Where this practice is followed