Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-05-19
Common Sense and Fertilizers.

Common Sense and Fertilizers.
George L. Gleason, Essex County. Mass)
As read the sentiments advanced II
The Homestead and other farm Journal
in regard to fertilizers, the question
arises, is there a basis of fact upoI
which We can rely? Are these chemica
elements in the soil which We may knoW
and upon which we can depend? May
We learn the nature OF fertilizers anG
how to apply them so as invariably e
secure the best results? May we avoid
the enormous wastes and losses which
result from our ignorance and false
methods? These are important ques
tions. Before had time To study into
these matters for myself, l took the
conclusions and experiences Of other
men. walked by faith, and followed
| iu the footsteps of the most successful
farmers whom knew and of whom |
read. When leisure came for personal
knowledge / studied and experimental
for myself.
Within the past year have tried to
get hold Of the scientific principles and
facts upon which / had been acting
without knowledge. Have consulted
the best authorities. These do not all
agree in details, but they do in es-
sentials. Scientific agriculture is still in
It's infancy. We have much to learn of the
properties, capacity and best treatment
of soils. We have learned that all soils
are alike in elements and very nearly in
proportions. While varying in richness
and somewhat in proportions, they con-
tain approximately per acre 25OO
pounds nitrogen, a somewhat less
amount of phosphoric acid and two or
three or more times as much potash.
Soils vary and authorities do not agree.
Nature has stored up vast amounts OF
these properties, to be eliminated and
brought into use by cultivation. The
atmosphere contains an unlimited
amount of nitrogen, which can be made
available if We know the process. These
are facts which every farmer should keep
in mind. Besides, we know that every
crop takes certain properties from the
soil. These should be known and re-
turned, or the soil becomes impoverish-
ed and unproductive. My special crop
has been hay. have procured from
the best available authorities the pro-
portions of these cardinal elements that
are removed by this crop. Analysis
does not always give the exact elements
of the soil, but it does show just what
amount and proportions are removed by
any proposed crop.
Timothy hay takes from the soil ap-
proxi mately IL percent ammonia, per
cent pbosphoric acid and 2S percent pot
ash. Common sense and experience
teach US the essential elements Of the
soil can be made available through culti-
vation. Nature has locked them up and
given man the key. The sentiment Is
growing that the so-called wOrn-out soils
are not so much worn out as bound or
locked up. They resemble sometimes
the virgin soil and respond readily and
bounteously to proper treatment. This
accounts for the remarkable success
which attends some culiivators OF aban-
doned farms. They seem TO know how
to unlock the hidden treasures.
The farmer also learns that he must
restore to the soil the elements which
the crop removes and in like proper
tions. 1t is waste to apply ammonia
when it is not needed, or any of the
other elements II is necessary that the
farmer should know the elements need
ed and that he should experiment.
Sometimes by thorough cultivation he
can eliminate or free the latent fertility
of the soil and secure large returns with
out external application.
Fourteen or l5 years ago | studied
Charles method of raising hay. l
adopted in the main the fertilizers be
used. / had the analyses, knew the in
gradients and figured out the formulas.
They have given uniform and satisfac-
tory results. Aud now it 10 great
pleasure to fiDd that they are scientific
ally correct. My formula for top-dress-
lug is a little low in ammonia, but as it
is high in potash. which every now and
then brings in clover, it restores the
proper balance. We have learned how
long field can profitably be kept in
grass, from 8 to 10 years, depending up
on the amount of hRmus which the soil
Eugland Homestead.