Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-01-15
Fertilizers and Crops for 1913.
OPINION OF DIRECTORS OF NEW ENG
LAND STATIONS.

was In conference with the directors o
the agricultural experiment stations o
the Northeastern States. Among otne
things the crop situation including tn
IsuopIy of fertilizers was discussed .
length. The following 10 their best advice
The country's need for large crops q
all essential foods, such as wheat, beana
oats, corn, rye, barley, potatoes ane
similar staples, will be even greater II
1918 than It was In 1917. Seed, fertilizerI
and labor will be higher In cost thar
last year and the labor will be more
difficult to obtain. Prices of crops are
likely to rule higher in 1918 than the
present year. Because of the higher
cost and lessened labor the aim should
be for maximum acre yields. Intensive
| rather then extensive culture should be
the rule. Machinery, horse power and
gasoline power should be utilized 70
the fullest amount practicable. Seed
should be of the best and should oe
tested for vitality long before planting
time. II the seed at hand is low In
vitality or otherwise of poor quality
those facts should be early learned and
better seed found II 1t Is possible 90 to
do. The land should be put in the bes,
possible shape for planting BY early
blowing to . fair depth and by frequent
narrowing.
Although fertilizers will be half az
high again as before the war and
fourth higher In cost than last year,
this 10 not the time to scrimp In their
use. Mineral nitrogen is markedly
higher In cost than last year and sui
pbate Of ammonia is hardly obtsinable
for use In fertilizers. Organic nitrogen
of the better grades is too valuable for
food of animals to enter much into fer
tilizers. Acid phosphate is high and
not abundant because Of the high price
and great demand In munition making
of sulphuric acid used in making acid
phosphate out Of raw rock. Potash Is
very scarce, much of 1t is from inferior
sources and it Is all high priced. But
with such crops as potatoes practical ex-
perience and careful experimenting
agree in that 1t is financially profitable
to use 1t at the rate of 80 or 40 pounds
Der acre despite its high cost. Potash
does not seem to be essential with
the cereal az with the root crops. With
beets, Inangolds and ruta bagas the ad-
ditiou Of two or three hundred pounds
of common salt will always give 10.
creased yields. Potash should be used
for these crops unless farm manure can
be literally supplied.
The conservation and production OF
maximum amounts Of yard manures oy
preservation of all excrement. both
solid and liquid, and by composing Is
strongly advocated. The addition OF
hundred pounds per cord, as the manure
is being worked over, OF acid phosphate
is advised. Both because the manure is
deficient In phosphoric acid and because
phosphoric acid favors the growth OF
micro organisms of prime Importance In
rendering plant food In manure avail
able to crops this practice will be found
financially and agriculturally profitable.
Home mixing will be difficult because Of
the fact that the fertilizer manufacturers
have most of the ingredients 10 their
possession and are not desirous OF selling
them except In mixed goods.
Rail and water transportation are In
cressingly difficult. Hence orders
should be placed at the earliest moment
In order that the goods may be delivered
in time for planting. Cash will obtain
liberal discount from list prices. II
one has not the cash by making the
proper statement of ones financial con-
dition and resources bank money can be
hired by any one whose credit would
warrant fertilizer company giving him
goods OH credit and at lower price
(rate of iDteresO than the fertilizer
company can afford. In other words
buy fertilizers from q company whose
business is selling fertilizer and buy the
use of money from bank whose
business is loanipg money.
In q sentence the advice OF the direct
ors to New England farmers is:-Plan
for maximum acre yields, thoroughly
prepare the seed bed, use good seed,
make and save all farm manure possible,
supplement this by liberal use of com.
mercial fertilizer mixed or unmixed
which should be ordered at once for
prompt delivery and on the best terms
possible to obtain.-CHAs. d. WOODS,
Director.