St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1915-05-08
PREF AIRING THE SOIL OF THE
GARDEN.

PREF MING THE SOIL OF THE
GARDEN.
Washington, D. c.. May 4.-The
soil that is to be used for vegetables
should be thoroughly prepared before
planting. A deep seed bed is de-
sirable, and when an area that has
never been plowed more than four
inches deep must be used it should
be deepened by gradually increasing
the depth of blowing for a period of
three or four years until the depth
desired is attained.
Clay soil should be plowed in the
fall II there is no danger of washing.
SO as to get it in good mechanical
condition before planting time. In
the cooler reagions of the South
freezing will pulverize the soil, while
in regions where freezes do not oc-
cur the pulverizing must be done
by narrowing and cultivation. San
dy loans or soils that contain a large
amount of humus; should be plowed
far enough in advance to allow the
soil to settle before planting.
Thorough preparation by blowing.
narrowing, rolling, or dragging will
lessen the work Of cultivation. 1t
is not sufficient to smooth and level
the surface; the pulverizing should
extend down several, inches. .4
Manures and Fertilizers.
The soil for vegetable growing
should be rich and well supplied with
humus. Barnyard or stable manure
il the best fertilizer, because 1t fur
nishes both plant food and humus.
An application of ~ to 80 tons CT
manure to the acre is very satisfac-
tory, and on some soils this applica-
ton will need but little reinforcing
with commercial fertilizers. The
manure should be applied far enough
In advance of planting time to al
low It to decay. Where coarse ma
nure is used, it should be applied
In the fall and turned under, but
well-rotted manure should be appli-
ed after blowing and should be we'll
mixed with the soil by narrowing.
On many soils 1t is advisable to APP
ply commercial fertilizers, especially
phOsphates, in addition to the ma
nure. An application of 800 to 600
pounds Of acid phosphate to the acre
is sufficient. Sandy soils often need
. little additional potash, which can
be applied economically In the form
Of muriate or sulphate of potash at
the rate of 200 to 400 pounds to
the acre. An application of 100
pounds Of nitrate Of soda will give
the plants start in the spring be-
fore.t the nitrogen in the manure has
become available.
Where manure is not available,
some leguminous crop, such as cow
peas, soy beans, vetch, or crimson
clover, should be turned under to
supply humus and q part of the nit
rogen. Additional fertilizing ele-
ments can be applied in the form of
commercial fertilizers. No definite
rule can be given for the. kind or
quantity of fertilizer to, be applied,
90 this varies with the crop and soil.
In most cases 1t Is safe to apply
1000 to 1000 pounds Of high-grade
fertilizer to the acre. One analyz-
Ing 2 to per cent nitrogen. per
cent phosphoric acid, and s. to per
q CSUt VOS60u 0uVUlu 84VS 6VVO AOo$AAeS
II the soil IL well supplied with hui
mus. This fertilizer may be secured
already prepared or may be mixed at
home. The following combination
will make . satisfactory fertilizer for
! home garden and ma ybe applied
ct the rate Of 1000 to 1000 pounds
to the acre:
$50 pounds nitrate Of soda.
$50 pounds Of cottonseed meal.
1000 pounds Of acid phosphate, 16
per cent.
200 pounds muriate or sulphate
Of potash.
It. should be borne in mind that
commercial fertilizers will not pro-
duce satisfactory results unless the
soil is we'll supplied with humus.
In fact, large quantities of fertiliz-
ers are justified only where the soil
u II: good mechanical condition.
Many soils in the South that have
been in cultivation for long time
are il . poor emchanical condition
and need humus, which can be sup
piled by turning under green crops
Of coarse manure.
A new Farmers Bulletin of the
U. s. Department Of Agriculture Is
entitled THE Home Garden In the
South" 1t may be had on applica-
ton to the Department at Washing
ton, D. C..