Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-13


plished are familiar to all, and it is
seldom that a drought more widespread
in its extent or more persistent in its
nature has affected the state of Geor-
gia. Every one interested in the well
fare OF the state hopes to see the yield
of corn increased this year in the same
proportion as last year. Can this be
done? There is no reason why such a
desirable end should not be attained 1t
is well. therefore, to consider the fac
tors which entered into the production
of the relative large crop of 1911 when
compared with that of the previous
years
The fan of 1910 and the winter of 1911
were unusually dry, but there was suf-
dcient moisture in the soil to enable
the farmer to turn the land, not only
deeply but to subson it as well. The
preparation for the crop Of 1911 was
made several months In advance of the
planting season. The ground was deeply
broken and so thoroughly pulverized
that it steadily absorbed all the moisture
which fell as rain. It's mechanical condi-
ton was so good that the capillary
movement OF water from the lower areas
of the soil was accelerated. The fer
tilizers used under the corn were in
creased In amount and character, and
were applied not only under favorable
conditions but with greater skill. Many
farmers, certainly much larger per
cent than ever before. used some vege-
table matter under the drill row, vary
ing in amount from two to five tons to
the acre of leaf mold, compost or yard
manure. The more progressive farmers,
though a small percentage when COM
pared with the total, had plowed under
cowpeas or other leguminous crops cal
culated to supply the soil with vegetable
matter. The fertilizer put into the soil
was In many instances mixed thoroughly
with II. and also with the subsoil by
means Of a bull tongue Much Of the fer
tilizer was applied in open drills and
mixed with the manure by means Of a
bull tongue This naturally provided a
larger percentage of quickly available
plant food than in previous years and
the plant food and manure being min
gled together furnished an ideal home
to the roots of the plants and enabled
the crop to Withstand drought to bet
ter advantage on that account.
More attention was given to the Sc
lection of standard sorts of corn for
planting in 1911 than ever before and
greater skill and care were given to
the persistent late and shallow cultiva-
ton of the crop. Top dressings were
also used freely, especially nitrate of So
da, thus stimulating the crop at the sea-
son Of the year when it most needed
help. The very careful and thorough
preparation to which the land was sub
jected and the skin exercised as pointed
out in the choice of seed and fertiliza-
ton had much to do with the produo-
ton of the largest crop in the history Of
the state under the trying weather con-
ditions which existed.
These are the lessons to be learned and
emphasized from the effort of the pre-
vious year, and if they are borne in mind
and full advantage taken of environ
mental conditions, there is every reason
to anticipate the production of still lar
ger crop of corn in Georgia than ever
before. One reason for this is now found
in the fact that the farmer believes he
can grow corn successfully, and he is
willing to put more time and effort
into the preparation of his land and give
greater consideration to the selection
and manipulation of his fertilizers before
and after it is placed in the soil than
formerly. For a long time the southern
farmer was disheartened with reference
to the cultivation of corn, and in many
instances seem to have concluded that
He was therefore disposed to resign
himself to fate, and as long as he re-
NAMED in this condition progress was
not to be anticipated. The mere over
coming of the Indifferent a1slCude to-
wards the cultivation of this crop is not
the least of the significant changes at
tendant upon Georgias agricultural prac-
tice in the last few years.
The fall OF 1911 and the early winter of
1912 have been altogether unfavorable
up to this time for the preparation of
a proper seed bed for corn. 1t behooves
the farmer who would improve upon the
yield of last year to take counsel with
himself 1t is Of the utmost Importance
that the land intended for this crop be
broken as soon as possible. II will be
an inadvisable proposition, however, to
break the land when it is not in the best
mechanical condition for blowing. To
turn ii up when IL is wet will be a
serious mistake and will do more to re-
tard the production Of a maximum crop
of corn than anything else. 1t may re-
quire the exercise of great patience to
wait until the land is in proper physical
condition, but this is absolutely essen
tial. Nevertheless. whenever the land
will do to break turn II deeply. Sub
selling will be of doubtful value during
thepresent winter for the ground is now
so thoroughly soaked, especially where
ever clays predominant in the state that
the chances are unfavorable to subsoiling
producing desirable results on the crop
of 1872 1t is possible, Of course, that a
certain amount of dry, clear weather
may occur in February and March and
put the land in good condition for sub
soiling. but this practice should not be
engaged in unless the farmer is certain
laat it will loosen up and pulverize the
lower area of the soil and not tend to
produce a hardpan or cause the soil
to run together and pack tighter than
ever because of breaking it up when II
is too wet.
Deep breaking, however may be pur-
sued with safety on all our heavier types
of soil. Tear up the land to a depth of
u inches. Farmers who have broken
their soil as much as 8 or 10 inches may
go as low as u or IA inches with safety.
Leave the land in a rough condition for
there will still be some freezing, and il
will absorb and hold water much bet
ter than II left perfectly smooth. If
there are some farmers who have al
ready turned their land for corn, 1t will
be well for them TO keep the crust on
the surface of the ground broken by
means of a heavy disk or cultivator.
This will help TO let the moisture into
the soil and win lessen the amount which
escapes over the surface. fter the land
has been plowed work down a good seed
bed well in advance OF the planting sea-
son. Secure all the manure, leaf mold
or ANYTHING else calculated 10 increase