Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-03-26

row on the first two types of land
mentioned. Possibly for corn on slaty
land not over 800 to. 400 pounds should
be used, as this type of soil is much
more likely to be leachy than the other
types mentioned. On corn you should
figure on using 700 to 500 pounds per
acre of the formula suggested, putting
about 400 pounds under the drill row
and two side applications of 200 pounds
each in the early part of the season. If
all this land were we'll supplied with
vegetables matter side applications
would not be necessary. 1t may be that
nitrate of soda will be helpful on GER
tain areas of this soil. You can deter
mine this best by the rate and char
acter Of growth and the seasonal condi-
lions prevailing during the months of
April, May and June.
-"
DESTROYING JOHNSON GRASS.
Z. w. G., Menlo Ga, writes: / would
like to know something about killing
johnson grass, as have some 1 would
like to get rid Of Would like to have
some information in regard to planting
and cultivating cotton. 1 have twenty
acres of ordinary land. have been
thinking of using 300 pounds of fertilizer
in the drill and 100 by the side of the
row.
Johnson grass is one of the most diff
ficult pests to get rid Of This is due
to the character of the rhizome or root
stalk, which 1t develops underneath the
ground. Any injury to this root stalk
causes a fresh development of the plant,
and hence cultivation frequently pro-
notes the growth of Johnson grass. This
grass may be held in check by blowing
shallow in the driest part of the sum-
mer and fall. The roots should then
be brought to the surface by means of
a harrow and raked up and burned. This
process may be repeated two or three
times. Grazing hogs on the land is also
recommended as a desirable practice,
and the use of smother crops, such as
velvet beans, helps in its eradication.
The use of all of these three agencies
may be resorted to with advantage, and
if persistent effort is maintained in the
right direction the grass may finally be
overcome. Where only small area is
infested it is best to dig the plants out
by hand and burn them. This may seem
like laborious undertaking, but if one
does not hold it in check, it will spread
from year to year and occupy ever in
creasing areas.
You do not say what character of land
you desire to grow your cotton on, and
therefore it is. difficult to give you any
satisfactory suggestions. Ordinarily
about an S-3-4 tosa 9-3-5 will be found
about right for cotton. On very sandy
land, the potash should be increased,
and also the nitrogen. From 400 to 800
pounds per acre under the drill row at
the time of planting is a very good APP
plication. Fertilizer should be bought
and Judged solely on its composition and
the source of the materials from which
il is prepared. Where one has limited
amount of vegetable matter in the soil,
organic forms of nitrogen are probably
the best to use. Side applications of
standard fertilizer early in the growing
season may often be made with advan-
tage on sandy or thin land. Top dress
ing with nitrate of soda constitutes very
good practice. Use about 100 pounds of
nitrate if the crop shows evidence of a
sickly, yellow appearance or fails to
make a satisfactory growth, but apply
II NOT later than the first of July.