Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-26

slowly available in the soil, and particu-
larly is this true in the south where
our lands are notably deficient in veSe-
table matter 1t is true that a high
grade rock phosphate contains twice
as much phosphoric acid while the rock
phosphate contains practically none.
Hence, it is erroneous to say that
high grade rock phosphate is more valu-
able as a source of phosphoric acid than
acid phosphate. AS a matter of fact
our experience and observation indi-
Gates that under existing soil conditions
in the south and in order to OBJ
tain immediate results acid phos-
phate should be given preference over
the rock phosphate. The prices asked
for this material are also absurd, as we
have been offered a finely ground rock
phosphate containing 80 per cent of
phosphate acid, delivered at the college,
at the cost of s4.25 per ton in bulk car
load lots.
FERTILIZER MIXTURES FOR A
LAWN.
S. e. d., Warrenton, Ca, writes: / have
100 pounds Of genuine German muriate of
potash and would like to mix this with
acid and cotton seed meal in the proper
proportions to get the best results on
lawn. l would also like to know the best
fertilizer to use orchard one to two
years old.
Fertilizer can be used on lawns at
the rate of 1000 pounds and upwards
per acre. A good formula would, be
mixture of 1000 pounds of cottonseed
meal, 900 pounds of high grade acid
phosphate, 100 pounds of muriate of
potash.
The writer has used such a formula
as this on a lawn with advantage for
a number of years past. Recently, of
course, it has been necessary to leave
out the potash for obvious reasons. The
above formula would also be service
able in the garden. particularly under
legumes, tomatoes and Irish and sweet
potatoes. 1 know that the above for
mula would not prove injurious to
your lawn or garden crops. This state
ment is based, as already indicated, on
long experience.
Under existing circumstances the best
fertilizer to use in an orchard would
be one containing a moderate amount
of nitrogen, a fairly liberal percentage
of phosphoric acid, and if practicable,
considerable amount of potash. Pot
ash can probably only be supplied now
in the form of tobacco stems, unleach-
ed wood ashes, or cottonseed meal. The
wood ashes, if used at all, should be
applied separately. Scatter them over
the ground, say at the rate of 1000 to
900 pounds per acre and harrow in.
Later on we would use a mixture of
equal parts of cottonseed meal and
acid phosphate at the rate of about five
pounds per tree For well matured
trees seven or eight pounds can some
times be used to advantage.
THE MERITS OF ROCK PHOSPHATE.
H. A. w, Pinehurst. Ca, writes:
would like to know the commercial value
of Florida soft phosphate rock and raw
ground rock. The soft rock is $1I.50 per
ton and the hard rock $3.50 per ton, which
would you advise using?
Rock phosphate is found in various
sections of the United States. That
which is sold in the south comes pri-
marily from Tennessee, South Carroll
ma and Florida. Florida phosphates,
depending upon the source from which
they are derived, appear to contain
from 20 per cent to 40 per cent of
see appear to run higher. There is
less phosphoric acid in the South Car
olina rock than that obtained from Ten
nessee
Phosphates are found in various
kinds of deposits. In Florida there are
beds varying in thickness from one to
many feet These are often located in
the bottoms of rivers. Some phos-
pilates, of course, are much softer
than others The so-called rock phos-
phate is so hard that it has to be
ground. When this is done there is OBJ
tanned what is known to the trade as
floats. AS a rule, the phosphortc acid
in rock phosphate. from whatever source
derived becomes slowly available in