Charlevoix county herald., 1917-08-24
Michigan Soils
Need Phosphorus
Wisdom OF Using Phosphate
Fertilizers Proven.

East Lansing, Mich, Aug 2l.-Most
Michigan soils are deficient in phos-
phorus, the plant food so necessary for
the successful growing of wheat, the
soils department of the Michigan Agri-
cultural College has learned through a
study of conditions in several counties.
| Demonstrations conducted on many
farms in connection with this work,
the department reports, have proved
that the supplying of this element in
the shape of acid phosphate and raw
rock phosphate fertilizers gives good
returns for the money expended.
''ln a recent trip through eastern,
central and western Michigan inspec-
tion revealed the fact that heads of
wheat on many fields are only about
half as well filled as they should be,
indicating deficiency OF phosphorus
in the soil, 'Dr. II. NJ McCool declares.
The correctness of these observations,
he adds "has been additionally borne
out by the chemical analysis of repre-
sentative soil types in Cass, st. Joseph,
Lenawee, Wayne, lngham, Allegan,
Manistee, Wexford and Newaygo coun-
ties. The results have shown that
soils in all OF these districts lack the
necessary amount of phosphorus.
"But to remove all doubt, actual tests
have been conducted in the field. Re
markable returns from the application
of phosphates have been secured by
the soils department Of the college, by
means OF field culture experiments on
Cass, Van Buren, and Kent county
farms, as we'll as on the college farm,
and through cooperative experiments
with farmers in several counties.
"On the county farm in Kent last
year, acid phosphate on soils resulted
in an increase of 60 bushels to the acre
in potatoes. An increase of 40 bushels
to the acre over the yield on the ada
cent untreated sandy loan was obtain
ed on the county farm in Van Buren by
similar treatments. In Van Buren
county 400 pounds of acid phosphate
was applied in one case and 1900
pounds of raw rock phosphate in an
other. The results were equally good
in both
'In Lenawee county the yield Of rye
was increased from l69 bushels to 2l.5
bushels by the addition of 200 pounds
OF acid phosphate per acre to sandy
soils in cooperative experiment. on the
farm OF A. NJ Green, while County
Agent Blanford, in Newaygo county
has increased the yield Of wheat from
eight to twenty-five bushels by apply
ing 200 pounds Of acid phosphate per
acre to light soils.
1--WE have been selling phosphate
from our farms for years, and return
ing it to the soil now is sound practice.
Phosphates are not soil stimulant and
their use will not result after a few
years in decreased yields. The soils
department of the college recommends
the application of 200 pounds per acre
of from l6 to Is per cent acid phos-
phate twice in four-year rotation.
The small grains are especially bene-
fitted. Where rock phosphate is to be
used 1900 pounds per acre in a four
year rotation is advisable. 1t is con-
ceded that it is best, where possible,
to use the latter in conjunction with
stable manure or crop residues.
In using acid phosphates, two-thirds
of the cost of application should be
charged to the first crop, and the re-
mainder to the crops that follow. The
department also calls attention to the
importance of ordering phosphates
Immediately for use on wheat this fall.