Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-09
Methods of Applying Fertilizers

The time and manner Of applying
fertilizers is a pertinent question at the
present time. The answer should, OF
course. be predicated on the nature OF
the soil, the crop to be grown, the avail
ability OF the plant food contained in a
given formula, the method Of applying
the fertilizer, and the amount to be used.
On thin, sandy lands which leach free
IL, il is probably best to use only a
part Of the fertilizer under the drill row,
and especially would this be true when
quickly available forms OF nitrogen are
applied. AS soils pass from the true
truck. or sandy. loamy type. to the
heavier clays characteristics of the Pied
mont area. IL will be good practice TO
use more OF the fertilizer under the
drill row. Clay soils by reason OF
their compact nature and general texture
are not so leachy as sandy soils; hence
the plant food will not likely escape
from them readily. OF course. there is
not so much danger Of loss of the phos-
phOrus and potash from the average
soil as OF nitrogen. Since nitrogen,
however, Is the expensive and at the
same time very essential element In Sc
curing an abundant crop. 1t is OF the
utmost Importance that its application
be so safeguarded as to insure the
plants obtaining the maximum benefit
from its use. As a soil Is built up IN
vegetable matter il becomes more and
more desirable 10 use all the fertilizer
at a single application, either under
the drill row or possibly broadcasting
it over the surface of the ground Farm
ers who practice a systematic rotation
and who use considerable quantities OF
ward manure or pillow under green crops
with regularity will find this method OF
applying fertilizers entirely satisfactory.
some will argue that IL is good practice
70 broadcast fertilizers on thin lands
nut the writer does not favor this prac-
tice on this type of soil or on one which
IS leachy. because the roots OF the
plants in the early stages OF GROWTH
will tend to develop in rather Limited
area and the plant food viii De more
quickly asstmilated IL placed under the
drill row then IL scattered W'uelS
throughout a soil of loose, open tex
ture- IN,
Tns method OF applying fertilizer will
slso be influenced by the character OF
the erop 10 be grown. For truck crops,
1uick stimulation and rapid develop
nent IS absolutely necessary WIN
field crops where the period OF grown
covers 100 TO $50 days, the feTtilizer
will he absorbed through mucn lOnssl
nerfod and hence need not be plaNSu -
ctose 70 the roots which will have aouno-
ant time in which TO develop and spread
through the soil and assimilate what
ever plant food comes within ther
each The roofing habits OF plants
sbould also be considered in determining
,Ipon the best method OF applying ieru-
Iizer 10 a given crop Legumes wnieh
rsnd to develop tap roots ana striAe
SAenI,- into the soil gather their food IN
. rather distinctive manner from cereal
IONS such as oats and wheat, WHICH
END out a great cluster OF roots anu
,rouId not be regarded as deep teeders OF
ss vigorous forageTs after plant IOOu
as the legumes- .,,,-
the availability of the fertilizers ap-
,,lis5 should also be considered OF
Instance where nitrogen carriers arr
sea in which this element becomes Yer!
quickly availabls, IL is important tha'
II be utilized by the growing crop a.
soon As possible Hence. il WOULD seem
GOOD practice TO often use this material
as a top dressing 10 promote groWth or
80 hiring il as quickly as possible Win
IN the immediate influence OF the ao-
sorbinr roots OF the young plants
. Hence. there IS an argument when car
-iers Of this kind are used in FAVOR OF
pIacfng the fertilizer under the arm
low. Since the nitrogen carriers used
under most ED crops will consist large