Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-15

be none available from foreign sources,
and the government of this country for
war emergency purposes will probably
be forced to use the greater part or the
Z relatively large supply of this material
now manufactured in the United states.
This will apparently tend TO lessen the
supply Of this element available for
agricultural purposes. We will probably
have the normal supply Of blood and
tankase and cottonseed meal and cal
cium cyanamid. but we viii have 10
stretch the amount of these materials
available in order to make them go
around.
Even Lnder the most favorable condi-
lions the farmer will probably find II
difficult TO secure as much fertilizer Tor
use in 1915 as he has been previously
applying. 1t will OF course cost him
more, but the chances are that his crops
will bring a figure which will justify
{ tim in USING the same amount Of fertl-
lizer he has been applying in the past.
While acid phosphate is higher than
usual. there will probably be a fair sup
ply Of il available. Hence, with such
stores Of nitrogen as we have at our
command we should be able 10 prepare
fertilizer well adapted TO many of the
soil types in the south, that is, say one
I =
and 5 20 10 per cent of phosphorlc acid.
Ii will le a mistake not to use fertillz-
ers this year because of their high prices
or because balanced foods or those con-
tanning potash can not be secured. and
farmers should not be misled into be-
lieving that they can grow as good crops
without commercial plant food as they
grew in the past when using considera-
BILE quantities of il.
In view of the existing situation there
never was a time when the soil should
be so carefully and thoroughly prepared
and so skillfully handled as at present.
The responsibility is upon US of grow
ing greater supplies of food crops in
1915 than ever before in our history
To accomplish this end Will call for the
practice on our part OF the most up-to-
date methods of cultivation and the use
of the largest amount of well-balanced
plant FOOD it is possible for Us TO OBJ
tain under existing conditions.
As TO which source of nitrogen should
be used. there is little to choose. Pur-
chase that which supplies available
plant food at the lowest figure per pound.
OF course, there are some forms of nj
trOgen which can not be used as ad-
vautageOusly as others. Whenever cot
tonseed meal can be made the basis of
a fertilizer at a reasonable cost, it is
desirable 10 use il. Some calcium cyan
anide can be used in the average ferti-
lizsr, and also Sulphate of ammonia.
The supplies of nitrate of soda likely to
be available had best be conserved and
used as "A top dressing. Blood and tank
age can he used to ADVANTAGE in mixed
fertilizers and Incorporated with the soil
before such crops as corn and cotton are
planted.
After making provision for the use of
all the available supplies of either spec
iaI or mixed fertilizers. our soils will be
greatly deficient i'm the amount Of es-
sential plant food it is desirable to
provide for growing crops. We should
therefore make special effort to con-
serve all the supplies of yard manure
and apply il at the rate of two to i've
tons per acre, chiefly under the drill
row. Compose heaps can also be made
a source of great service to our crop
production campaign in 1918. There
are vast quantities Of material which
can be composed in the course of thir-
" TO ninety days and will provide
very desirable substitute for yard ma
nure or commercial fertilizers which
cannot be obtained under existing con-
ditions.
Farmers who are expecting to buy
commercial fertilizers should hasten to
that there never has been such a cOndi-
ton of freight congestion pertaining
before in the history of the United
States. This condition is likely to be-
come more aggravated instead of less,
and the chances are that the farmers
who wait to order their fertilizers for
from thirty to sixty days will not be
able to obtain them in time to use on
their crops. This is a point which can
not be emphasized too strongly. If you
are in position to pay cash for fertiliz-
ers. purchase them Immediately and
have them sent to your plantation. You
can store this material there just as
we'll as il can be kept Ia the average
warehouse. If il is properly protected
from the weather il will not deteriorate
in value. and then you will have il handy
TO use when the proper time arrives
Remember also that the scarcity Of
freight cars has caused new rulings to
be made with reference TO loading the
same. and cars in order TO be moved
now must be filled TO their maximum
capacity. Il will be necessary this
year as never before for neighbors to
ioin together and order maximum car
loads of material if they hope to obtain
prompt movement of the same even aft
er the orders have been placed. 1t will
he a simple matter TO Cooperate to the
extent indicated Scarcity of labor as
early i'm the season as possible. We
have been delayed in soil preparation
very much by the extreme weather
which has prevailed in many parts of
the southeastern states during the past
few weeks There has been comparative
IL little rainfall for several months
mast. We are almost certain to have
wet spell between now and planting
time and this will delay soil preparation
very materially. In view of the labor
shortage. therefore. make every posi-
bic effort now to get the fertilizer need
ed as soon as possible, and mix and pre-
pare il for use so that YOU can eNpe-
dite planting when favorable season
arrives.
The Cultivation of Irish Potatoes
T. NJ r.. Bakely. TIA. wdites: would
like infOrma ton regarding the culture Of
Irish potatoes. Which potato j. the most
prolific and the best sellers How should
they be fortified and cultivatedg How
should they be handled for shipping. and
what is an average yield;
Spring crop Irish potatoes should be
planted within the next twenty to thir-
~ DAYS in your section of the state
, i'm order TO have them ready for the
market at that time when they are like
r. to command the best prices. We
tdvise that land intended for this crop,
Fl not broken already. be prepared
zoon as POSSIBLE. It should be we'll en-