The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-21
WISDOM DRAWN FROM THE FIELDS

crops, wherein lcgumcs are grown PC
riodically. blowing under green ma
nure. appl, ing strawy barn anu
and correcting the acidity Of h soil
by proper drainage and the application
of lime when needed. Sandy soils are
usually weak in nitrogen. phosphor'c
acid and potash, clay soils are better
supplied. az shown by analysis. but
often the elements are unarailah'e or
slowly available, and require the as-
sistance OF available plant food II they
are to produce large Yields or hi9h
quality. a peaty soil IL usually stron-
in nitrogen but exceedingly weak N
~phosphoric acid and potash.
The manufacturers OF all kinds or
merchandise find that with a factory
Of given capacity. certain expenses ar"
the same. whether the factory ~ op-
Grated in full or only during part time.
Those overhead expenses include
rent. supervision. interest on money
invested. taxes. repairs. Sc. With u
small production the total over
head charges per uni; = large.
with greater production. the same
overhead charges cover "A greater
number Of units and decrease
In amount per unit. The same IN true
on the farm. where the overhead
expenses per bushel increase as the
yields increase. until a limit much
lower than ordinarily found Is reached.
The manufacturer believes In EN-
cheney because IL enables him to pro-
duce his articles at lower cost In"
farmer who apples efficient methods
10 his farming operations n so.'
Management is able to produce his
crops At less per bushel and N greater
quantity per acre. No matter the klnd
of farming. fertilizers have "a place
| there and Justify their proper usage
by returning profits in better crops
| Of early maturity and high quality and
| by leaving the soil in better condition
for succeeding crops.
Two fundamental facts should be
kept in mind when buying fertilizers
first. that each type OF soil a "A
Characteristic supply of the three es-
sentlal constituents Of plant food. and
second. that each crop has special
| plant food requirements. This may
he stated In another way. namely
| that each soil has some characteristic
weaknesses and each crop needs par
tlcular treatment for best results
choose the fertilizer that appears Ia
d, host suited TO make up for the sol
deficiencies. and To provide for the
special needs OF the crop to which II
: to he applied. No one can tell &C
curately just what analysis is most
900 g.. ,,.. -, ,....- coil Hnr M 4
iofnite crop. II must be settled by
Yourself on your own farm. The
proper thing to do Is 10 leave An un-
fortified strip in the field after hav-
ing selected the analysis most likely
~ suit our needs and conditions
Observe the growth OF the crop care
fully and at harvest time measure the
difference in yield and note the differ
crces IN quality between tho fertilizet
and unfertilized areas. II n char.
tcteristic weaknesses sho up on thu
fortified portion. change the analysis
n accordance with the indications
which you observe.
Compare the management OF you
SOY ~ the management Of the orchard
the dairy herd or any other farmin.
] 'I'' fll''lN. Nu NI'IsdlU may w k'D
a W and made 20 produce !ru!; w.'hou
spraying. but all orchard!sts agree tha'
spraying brings better profits. A da.rN
COW will produce milk when fed o.
shock corn, but she Will make a IA
better record u fed on silacc. clover
hay. cntt"rseed meal and some othet
C~CrCcntrat" in connection with corn
Likewise y crop can hc grown withou
fertilizers, bat experience proves tina
che use OF commercial fertilizers viii
return Increased yields of bette
quality and earlier maturity.
Tho basis ~ all profitable a%gricultur,
IS fertility. The experience Of farmer
W general in New England. Eastern
southern AZ well as the middle Yves
states, proves that the iudicious use o
commercial fertilizers IN the KEY I,
rational, hus!ncssl!ke. profitable farm
Ng The gigantic feats in produc!n,
food from the soil accomplished BY tn
"mhat,led nations OF Europe becam
possible solely because they hav
earned TO appreciate and understan,
Tho value Of available plant food. His
tory again confirms the statement tina
1ya.lable plant food. along with prope
t..'age. Is Fundamental and brings III
l,rgest farm profits.