Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-09

| in which II is applied TO the son, II VIII
not become available so quickly as to
escape assimilation by the plant when
compared with a form of nitrogen such
as that provided by nitrate of soda.
The question of whether a single or
double application should be made de-
ponds on the amount of fertilizer TO be
used. the condition of the land. and
the nature of the crop. With long sea-
soned crops and on soils in good phys
| zeal condition, a single application has
| in our experience given as good results
as two or more applications. For truck
crops two or more applications can Of
ten be used TO advantage. On thin SOILS
the same argument holds good for field
crops In other words. on sandy lands
or those low in vegetable matter where
the farmer expects to apply 500 pounds
and upwards of a commercial plant
food, il will very often be good practice
TO put 500 pounds under the drill row
and, use 200 pounds as a side appllca-
ton. If additional fertilizers are used,
especially with truck crops, the third
application should as a rule consist o.
nitrogen carriers made up of organic
and inorganic materials in about equal
proportions.
In making second or side applica-
tions. there is often tendency to delay
the work too long. and hence the fertll-
izer ingredients are not all utilized. or
il absorbed tend to create development
OF leaf and stem at the expense OF
grain and fruit. When side applications
of a complete fertilizer are made 10
cotton, il will as a rule be good practice
to use them soon after the cotton has
been chopped to a stand, and prooaoiy
with corn, they should be put on when
il is not more than knee high. 1t Is
Of nitrogen
dressers can sometimes be used little
later. though there is room for much de-
bate on this proposition.
There are of course, several methods
of applying fertilizers. In theory, broad
casting is a good method to follow be.
cause il is supposed to encourage the
spread and development of the plant
roots throughout the largest area OF SOIL
end thus would apparently encourage the
assimilation of the largest possible
amount of available plant food. As al
ready pointed out, the success of this
method would be limited. however. by
the physical condition of the land. When
fertilizers are applied under the drill,
they should as a rule be mixed with
the subsoil by means of a bull tongue.
| II is important with most crops to see
that the fertilizer does not come d.
rectly in contact with the seed. In
making top applications two methods
NAV be followed. The fertilizer may be
applied alongside the drill row and COW
cred into the soil with fertilizer drill
or IL NAV be scattered down the center
! of the rows and mixed with the soil by
the cultivator which is used TO break
the crust and destroy weed growth. Per-
sonally. we are inclined to favor this
method believing that at this stage 1f
development, the roots of the crop have
spread sufficiently in the soil 10 enaole
them to assimilste and utilize the plant
food broadcasted over the surface to
good advantage. In this connection IL
| i important to remember that the feed
ing roots of plants are relatively near
the surface of the soil, and hence only
shallow cultivation is necessary to bring
the plant food in contact with them.
Moreover. when shallow cultivation is
practiced. the roots of the plants are
| less likely TO be injured than where
deep blowing is practiced.
F. L. b.. Dawson. Ca, writes: Last year
our peanuts were pops. We have planted
them on the same land this year as il is
fenced for hogs. VIII lime prevent the de-
vtIOpment Of pops: What about inoculating
for them: What about inOculatns for
clover:
1 Mnen large nuIlbSf VI pups oiS w
veIoped by peanuts, it is generally con-
| sidered an indication of a deficiency OF
lime in the soil. 1t is the practice of
/ peanut growers in many sections OF the
country to use from 1000 to 1000
/ pounds of lime previous to the planting
of the crop. y few years ago caustic
/ lime was used for this purpose, but of
I late years the finely ground raw rock
I has been used in its place. Since raw
7 H. 1,a1N l1 fan
\ ing power of caustic lime, it has gen.
I orally been thought advisable to use a
\ ton Of it, Lime can be put on at any
| time. 1t may even be put on now, al
Il though the crop is planted. We would
| scatter il broadcast on the surface OF
i the ground as soon as practicable and
| harrow ii as completely as possible.
There are a number Of concerns putting
the ground rock on the market, and
/ we do not think you need hesitate to
| purchase ii from anyone that will fur
nish it to you in the cheapest form.
| You should be able to buy it at SO a
ton or thereabout, delivered at your sta
| tion.
There is no need for inoculating pea
nuts. / have never known of this
practice being regarded as essential or
being followed in any section of the
| country, though l am quite familiar
/ Win In6 CULTIVATION peanuts on a
large scale, having had an opportunity
| TO acquire such information while resi-
| dent in the state of Virginia. With
clovers it is quite different. We think
incubation absolutely essential for al
/ falfa. We have experimental with this
crop for a number of years. and there
fore, this conclusion is based on care
full observation. and we think it good
practice to inoculate crimson clover
| and red clover. This does not seem to
be quite so essential a practice with
| bur. white or alsike clover The large
| seeded legumes do not seem in the ma
jority OF cases to require incubation.
VELVET BEANS VS.. COwPEAS FOR
SOIL BUILDING.
| y. T., Madras. Ca. writes: How do Won
| think the velvet bean compares with the
cosvpea as a soil improver and stock feed
| Was thinking of planting beans in with the
corn Do they require inoculstionl I would
| ltkc your opinion IS TO the best beef breed
| Tor this section. am incline dto try the
| Poled Angus. Ny pastures are Bermuda
uPlsnds.
The velvet bean is an excellent soil
improver, but for hay making purposes
We would not place IL ahead of the
cowpes- The soy bean. of course can
be grazed TO considerable advantage,
and under favorable conditions will make
a good yield of grain. as much as 20
to 80 bushels per acre. The beans can
be ground and a fine grade of meal
obtained therefrom which will COM