Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-06

This is an important matter and is the
best way of controlling the multiplying
of the bee-like or wasp-like insect which
is the original cause Of this trouble.
One desiring to plant Irish potatoes
and onions should enrich the land as
freely as seems practicable, using to
that end considerable quantity of well
rotted manure. Manure should. in our
opinion. be broadcasted over the land as
soon as possible and thoroughly disked
into the soil. Cross disking is a good
method to follow. Manure, of course,
can sometimes be used under the drill
row for potatoes, but in that event it
should be thoroughly mixed with the
subsoil so as not to come in direct
contact with the potato sets
At the time of planting both of these
crops we would use a mixture of 500
pounds of a formula containing per
cent nitrogen and 10 per cent phosphoric
acid. The fertilizer may be Droadcasted
for onions, as they will likely be plant
ed in rows Is inches apart. In the case
of IRISH potatoes the fertilizer may be put
under the drill row and mixed with the
soil by means of a bull tongue.
PROTECTING SWEET POTATOES
FROM DISEASE.
c. W. c.. Tunnel Hill, Ca. writes: My
sweet potatoes have some kind Of a black
rot on the skin that affects the whole po-
tato. l found good many that way at
digging lime. II there is any remedy you
give either for the potato the slips
would be glad to have it.
The trouble about which you write is
caused by a fungus which may attack
any of the underground parts of the
sweet potato plant. 1t generally shows
up, as indicated in your letter, on the
surface of the potato as more or less
circular. sunken, dark to nearly black
spots. Potatoes which are affected with
the black rot are very disagreeable in
taste when cooked.
This disease is disseminated by plant
ing infected roots and from storing dis
eased roots, thereby enabling the fungus
to be carried over through the winter
and again becoming established in the
seed bed or in the soil.
The best and simplest method of fight
ing this disease is to select roots for
setting out from vigorous plants which
are free from this disease. Some plants
will be found growing in the field, for in
stance, which are much more vigorous
than others and will be entirely free
from this trouble. while the roots of
neighboring plants may be affected. Only
choice, vigorous sets should be put out
in the bed and slips pulled therefrom for
planting. A satisfactory rotation of
crops is essential in fighting this dis
ease to advantage. In other words. do
not plant sweet potatoes year after
year on the same land.
VALUE OF LESPEDEZA FOR HAY
AND GRAZING.
I. r. D.. Morgan, Ga, writes: Will Les
pedeza do we'll in southwest Georgia and is
il valuable? Is il what We know Flor
ida clover?
There is every reason to believe that
Lespedeza or Japan clover will grow
quite we'll in southwest Georgia. 1t is,
of course, a summer-growing crop, be-
ing valuable for grazing during the
warm months of the year. 1t should be
sown broadcast over the ground at the
rate of fifteen to twenty pounds per
acre. Too early seeding of this clover
is to be avoided. If the ground can
be narrowed after it is scattered over
il, ii will be an advantage to do so. 1t
can be seeded on Bermuda sod to very
good advantage AS soon as frost falls
I'm the autumn it ceases to grow. but
comes on again when the season opens
up i'm the spring On rich bottom lands
in some places it-has been cut for hay
but is chiefly valuable for grazing pur-
poses. We think this clover is quite
distinct from what you call Florida
clover. You should have no difficulty
in securing seed from any of the relia-
BILE seeGsmen in the state.
AN ALABAMA FARMERS PROB
LEM
J. ". Y. Macon. Ca, writes My plan
tatiOn in Alabama Is in the midst of the
worse holl weevil infected district Of that
state. and wish to know what varieties
you would recommend the best to plant
there. I nave some sunbeam cotton seed
and also rome King which have been
planting for several years. should l
these is there better variety for boil
weevil conditions!
We would not recommend the plant
ing of King cotton. as this variety ma
lures too soon under boil weevil condi-
tons. You need a variety of cotton
which will not produce many veaetative
limbs but will fruit freely and will set
on a crop very early I'm the season. 1t !
ahould continue to grow and develop
until the late autumn because the weevil !
"refers to work on the newer and softer
uarts of the plant. such as the square or |
the immature boil. Hence, if you have |
= variety of cotton which grows until
late i'm The season the WeeVil works |