Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-16
AGRICULTURAL:
5l11EDUCATIoN
- SUCCESSOR tARnme
RNsET ANDREW N. S0ut
Boil WeeUH With Fertilizers

on soils deficient in this element, there
is a tendency 10 produce a large per-
centage Of pops" which lessons the
manufacturing and feeding value of the
crop. Experience indicates that where
legumes are grown lime can be used to
advantage as a soil amendment and TO
supply calcium. an element which all
legumes require. While lime may be
applied in various forms and in diff
ferent amounts, we advise the use of
not less than 1000 pounds of the crush
ed raw rock per acre previous 10 the
planting of legumes. We prefer that
ton be used per acre. as in that event
applications need not be made oftener
than once in three years. Lime will
exert its primary benefit on legumes,
and should cereals and other crops re-
spond TO its application, they will be
benefited by its residual effect on the
soil. The use of the raw crushed rock
is advised because it is easier to handle
and distribute than the other forms
of lime, and is, relatively speaking,
cheaper. 1t is true that it takes twice
as much of it to exert the same sweet
ening power in the soil as the caustic
or burnt lime, and hence fairly liberal
applications of it are advised.
Any one who has had experience in
the cultivation if legumes will quickly
realize that these crops are benefited
by liberal applications of acid phos-
phate, and i'm many instances, of potash
as well. but the latter element can hard
ly be secured now at prices which the
farmer can afford. to pay. Under the
existing situation. therefore, it is. adj
visable that the farmer not only use
lime under his legumes, but apply any
where from 500 10 500 pounds of high
grade acid phosphate at the time. of
planting the Crop. 1t IS quite certain
that if the soil is properly prepared and
handled. and applications of lime and
acid phosphate made as advised that
beneficial results i'm the matter of in
creased yields and in the improvement of
the quality of the peanuts, for instance
will be secured.
GROWING CORN ON BOTTOM LAND.
l.. p. WhiteStOne. Ca, writes We have
been cultivating about L. acres of valley
land through which a good-sized creek runs.
For the last two years we have grown
on this land and nothing else, not a
winter cover crop. We expect to plant
corn again. The seed com is carefully Sc
lected and the crop well cultivated, but
the results have not been satisfactory. We
would like for you to advise what fer
tilizers to use, the time TO apply the same,
how TO cultivate, and what we should plant
as a cover crop 10 De turned under.
The valley land i'm the section of the
state to which you refer should be fair
ly fertile, though probably the plant
food supply is so poorly balanced that
il accounts for the poor results you
have obtained in the past. First OF all,
we think it desirable that you test this
land for acidity. You are familiar with
the litmus test and can easily do this.
In the event you find it sour we would
add one to two tons of crushed raw
rock per acre. This can be put on any
time after the ground has been plowed
for spring planting and narrowed in.
We do not believe ii would be as bene-
fetal under cereals as under legumes.
we believe the soil should be sweetened
as soon as possible.
You do not say whether your corn pro-
duced a satisfactory stalk or not. If it
did it is the best indication that there
is a fairly good supply of nitrogen i'm
the soil If you are not securing a good
stalk it is quite certain that you should
use a liberal ration of nitrogen or else
supply this element through cover
crops plowed under. or through compost