Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-02

meet natures requirements. Most farm
ers do not seem to realize the import
ance of this proposition, believing that
in some sort of a va que or incompre-
hensible way nature can counterfeit
deficiency in a given element, such as
nitrogen. for instance. Nature has no
power in this respect, and the soil can
only yield to the plant those elements
which it contains in an available form,
and in sufficient quantity to meet the
needs of a given crop. To purchase
and apply commercial plant food by rule
of thumb is not good policy for the
farmer, and is detrimental to the in
terest of the man who manufactures the
fertilizer. Neither one where such prac-
tice pertains can hope to obtain the
benefit which would follow more in
telligent knowledge of the soil and crop
so that the eleme nts markedly deficient
may be supplied in proper amount.
A PRESCRIPTION FOR SANDY LAND.
T. ]. H, Avera. Ca, writes: l have
about 16 acres of dark sandy land which
has been in cultivation about ten years;
it is clay four to five inches from the
surface; it has never been plowed deep
and is too wet to pillow now. 1t was
in cotton last year and there is a con-
siderable growth of stalks on 1t now.
would like to know how to prepare and
fertilize 1t for corn. also have 10
acres that were in corn last year. There
is a rank growth of crab grass on the
land now and I want to know how to
prepare it for cotton. Please give me
plan for a cheap poultry house for 100
fowls. Is it too late to sow wheat now?
In preparing the land for corn break
1T as deeply as possible. The cotton
stalks are likely so brittle that little
difficulty will be experienced in dis
posing of them. OF course, II they can
be turned under so much the better.
You can certainly do this If you run a
stalk cutter over the land. After turn
ing the land prepare a good seed bed,
and IL you can secure any leaf mold, lit
ter or Xard- man2Ees-p put -tts-aussse
drill row at the rate of two to five
tons per acre. Use on this soil about
a 9-3-4 fertilizer at the rate of 500 pounds
per acre. 1t will probably be best to put
only 300 pounds under the drill row at
the time of planting, and use 200 pounds
as side application. Use prolific va
riety of corn and give clean shallow Gull
tivation. The land for cotton should
should be plowed deeply also. 1t is inn
portant to save the crab grass and pillow
it under A disk run over the land will
help to cut up the weeds and trash so
you can turn them under better. 1t will
to get this land turned with at least a
two-horse pillow. OF course, the land
should net be plowed when wet, even if
you plant the cotton somewhat late, as
turning soil when il is full of water
Injuries it's texture. A good fertilizer to
use on your cotton would be an S-3-4
formula at the rate Of 500 pounds per
acre. Use at least 300 pounds under the
drill row. Avoid burning the grass and
weeds at all hazards as you will destroy
good deal of the vegetable matter and
a considerable quantity of nitrogen as
well.
A chicken house in this climate had best
be open to the south. 1t should probably
be eight feet high at the front and four
feet at the back. The nests may be built
either inside or out. If a wide projecting
covered over on the outside and the lid
cred without going inside the house. A
house 10x20 feet should be ample for
your flock, especially where they have
a large range at their disposal. The open
side Of the house is best protected with
wire netting and a cover should be
provided to let down in cold wealth
er. A solid foundation should be
built under the house to prevent
cracks. Keep the inside well white
from the floor.
1t is now too late to sow wheat with
advantage in our judgment.
SUGGESTIONS ON TOMATO Guilt