Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-13

sections where varied agricultural
practice has been pursued, the lands to-
| day are more productive than anywhere
i else. and they have maintained their
\ fertility for an almost indefinite period
OF time. In those parts of the country
where a one-crop system has been fol-
lowed, there has been a decrease in fer
tility. and in some sections this condi-
ton has become so acute that the aban-
| donment OF the lands altogether has
taken place. Several hundred years ago
there were sheep walks and runs in Eng
/ land, for example, on land which was
| considered valueless for cultivation. To-
day the same land through the adoption
OF a systematic rotation of crops is
worth several hundred dollars per acre,
and produces quite an astonishing vari-
ETY. and Iuxuriance of vegetation.
Crop rotation becomes necessary as
part Of the business policy of state or
a nation Of farmers, because nature has
varied the needs of the different crops
useful to man. and II they are grown
/ in a succession on the land they do not
/ exhaust IL of one element. as certainly
/ follows where one crop is grown. In
any plan of permanent agricultural de-
velopment the diversification of farm
crops becomes essential for unless this
be done the farmer must of necessity
Il UMA the EEEAlCE part OA iAAN ohpRAANe 4 AiN
growing of crops under specialized con-
ditions. which is naturally exhausting to
the fertility Of the soil. and spending a
greater part of the money obtained TO
/ buy corn, wheat hay. oats and other
essential foodstuffs for the maintenance
OF man and bast is as destructive as OPP
posed to a constructive policy. For in
stance in Georgia II is said that S5O.O0oOOO
a year Is sent out of the state for corn
alone II has been shown that this corn
can be produced at home at cost some
thing like 30 cents bushel. To conserve
this 100000 through a diversification
OF crops, therefore, becomes one..Of the
| problems OF the state other illustra tons
might be cited in support of this argu-
ment were they necessary. but those
who have studied the situation will ad-
NIT the truth of this statement
To establish a prosperous agriculture
/ in the south. therefore, it becomes essen
/ tial that we educate our farmers spe-
cihcally in the underlying principles and
/ truths which govern their business; that
we expand and increase in every possible
way our knowledge of the soil; that we
establish systems OF crop rotations for
the building up Of these lands, and
their maintenance in a high state of cul-
Itivation; and finally, that we practice the
diversiication Of crops which will enable
Us TO keep at home the surplus wealth
which viii otherwise go to enrich other
! sections Of the country to the detri-
ment and final destruction of the south.
The four things essential to the per-
/ lection Of definite agricultural policy
are within the reach Of the average far
mer. and may be put into practice more
| or less extensively the present year.
Every farmer must determine for him
self whether he will become a business
farmer or still continue TO pursue the
/ Indifferent methods of the past which
viii ultimately lead to his final undoing.
/ THOMAS AND ROCK PHOSPHATE
COMPARED.
B. II. H., Sasser, Ga. writes: I would
I like some information concerning
Thomas phosphate as compared with
7 rock phosphate. Is the available phos-
phoric acid in Thomas phosphate as
good for cotton and corn as that de-
rived from rock phosphate?
Basic Stag is sometimes called
Thomas Stag or odorless phosphate. X
I is a by-product obtained in the manu-
/ facture OF steel from pig iron. II con-
tains from Is to 20 per cent OF phos-
phoric acid in a form somewhat differ
I ing from that found in bone phosphate
OF lime, the material from which floats
/ is obtained. The insoluble phosphate of
lime in rock or bone contains three
parts OF lime with one part phosphoric
acid. In basic Stag there are four parts
I of lime combined with one part of
phosphoric acid. This material is nat
urally insoluble in pure water. but is
soluble to a considerable extent in
water which contains carbonic acid gas.
I The value Of basic Stag and floats de-
pends much on the fineness of division.
I The finer il is ground the more quick
I " It becomes available. Basic Stag is
considered TO be about half as avail
I able as the soluble or acid treated phos-
phate II gives its best results when
used on soils which contain large guam
\ titles of organic matter and are rela-
I lively poor in limee. The acids derived
\ from decaying humus will tend to rem
der more available its phosphoric acid
Z and the lime will perform a double
I function i'm the soil. not only sweetening
/ il. but supplying calcium for low.
/ swampy lands. The phosphorus in
I floats is not so quickly available prob
I ably as in basic Stag, though the diff
I Ference will not be very great. ] 10
not know that IL has ever been exactly
I determined. Where floats are used the
I organic matter is essential 20 secure
/ the best results, and a considerable
quantity should ne applied per acre,
say 900 to 200 pounds. The fneness
OF division is an important matter TO
/ bear i'm mind.
! RATIONS FOR HORSES AND MULES.
/ ). 2. b.. Byromville. Ga. writes:
/ Would be glad to have you suggest com
binations Of rations for horses and
mules.