Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-10

other materials used will show a much
lower relative percentage.
From this statement it will be seen
that cotton seed meal assumes a rela-
lively high rating as to quickness of
availability. Some are of the opinion
in fact, that it becomes available too
quickly, and therefore does not last
through the season. Those who ad-
vance this argument generally support
it with the statement that other mate
rails which they mention will be found
more satisfactory, but strange to say,
in most instances the materials sus-
gested becomes available as quickly as
cotton seed meal, or there is such a
slight difference in this respect that it
would not be noticeable in their ser
vice to the crop The percentage fig
ures shows that cotton seed meal and
some Of the other organic carriers of
nitrogen mentioned may be used to
the very best advantage as the basis
of a fertilizer, and the farmer may de-
pend upon the plant food becoming
available with sufficient rapidly 10
meet the needs of his crop, and yet
not more rapidly than will permit of
the growing plants assimilating and
utilizing the nitrogen to advantage.
For top dressings such materials as
nitrate of soda are certainly very val
liable, but where side applications are
used, especially if applied early in thu
growing season, nitrate of soda or sui
plate of ammonia may be mixed with
cotton seed meal and used to advant-
age. OF course, in such an event the
top dressing should be scattered over
the ground and worked into the surface
soil with a weeder or light surface
working cultivator. The reason for
this is obvious, for the nitrogen in sui
phate of ammonia and cotton seed meal
must undergo transformation in the
soil before it is brought into condition
where plants can utilize it satisfactory
ly. Nitrate of soda, on the other hand
should not be incorporated with the
surface soil, except when used in com.
bination of complete fertilizers in tbs
manner suggested above. In either
instance, of course, the amount of nj.
trate of soda used should be relatively
small, the chief supply of nitrogen be.
ing derived from one Of the organI
sources mentioned. A comparison o.
the cost of available nitrogen wouIC
indicate that cotton seed meal will fur.
nish this element at reasonable fig
ure and often to the advantage of the
farmer, especially when he is locate,
al some distance from ocean ports o.
can not buy in carload lots, and there
fore obtain the cheapest possible rat,
on nitrogen carriers.
These suggestions have been made
| for the advice and information of ou1
farmers, because of the great interes
now evidenced in various sources }
nitrogen and the confusing forms avail
able for use on Southern farms.
would seem now that sufficient ev'
dence had accumulated to dissipate tn
! idea that cotton seed meal becomes
either too slowly or too quickly avail
able to meet the needs of the ordinar.
farm crop. 1t is quite evident that ;
combination of carriers of nitrog 81
will often be more desirable than tn
use of one alone 1t is, of course, wei
established that the organic sources o
nitrogen should be incorporated in tn
soil, and the most quickly available
forms reserved for use as top dress
ings. The farmer for his own protec
ton should study the relative infiu
ence and efficiency of the variou
sources of nitrogen at his command
and he should then figure out the cos
of pound of available plant food =
the materials at the prices quoted him
When this is done he will general.
find that some of the materials pro
duced near at home are as satisfactor
| and in many instances more ecOnOmi