Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-07-19

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Of citric acid within given time.
HOW TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN
HIGH FERTILITY OF THE SOIL
Three things are necessary. First,
tO grow and add to our soil enough
legume crops to supply nitrogen, ac-
tive organic matter and humus; sec
ond, to put back in the form of raw
phosphate more phosphorus than is re-
moved in the crop; third. to supply
calcium and magnesium and prevent
spill acidity by the use of pulverized
limestone. Nothing more than these
three things need ever be done for per-
manent high productive power on nor
NAL soil. Realizing this let us keep in
mind the fact that shortage of any of
the elements of plant food means
short crop. If our soils are supplied
with enough nitrogen for a 100 bus.
PER acre crop and only enough phoso-
rous for twenty bushels, we get TWEEN
ty bushel crop. To insure one hundred
per cent production, our soils must con-
tain ample nitrogen, potash and phos-
phorus.
Nitrogen or ammonia is needed in
the plant to form the protein of the
grain seed. Ii also imparts a green CO.
lor to the leaf, makes it larger, richer,
and more luxuTiant. Where growth
gives crops their value. as in case Of
Phosphorus or phosphoric acid en-
site effect. and cereal crops not suf-
Undoubtedly, phosphates in readily
mixture soluble in water. 1t is well
" was soluble in water, a chemical
izers are mixed with the soil.
Phosphorus or phosfhoric acid en-
courages vigorous growth and plays an
important part in maturing wood and
fruit. 1t is the life of the grain of corn.
kernel Of wheat or boil of cotton and
makes crops ripen earlier. Phosphorus
also has a beneficial effect on other
plant foods in the soil, helping to make
these available. OF the several sour
ces of phosphorus. the least expensive
and most efficient form is a high
grade soft phosphate.
Phosphorus. This is the most inn
portant mineral element which has to
be supplied to the soil by the agency
pf manuring. The function which
Phosphoric acid fulfills in plant life
would appear to be connected rather
with the manuring of the plant than
with the actual growth of the struc-
lure. Phosphates are found concen-
rated in those parts of the plant where
rell growth and reproduction are most
active. While nitrogen delays matur-
Ity, phosphoric acid has just the oppo-
site effect. and cerial crops not suf-
supplied with It ripen much
more tardily than do others. More
over, the grain is formed more early
when phosphate manures have been
given than when they are withheld.
Phosphates increase the production Of
grain to straw, and as regards the grain
itself, they render it less nitrogenous,
richer in phosphates, and altogether
improve its quality.
Undoubtedly phosphates in readily
available form stimulate the young
seeding, enabling it to develop root
growth. PhOsphoric acid occurs in the
ioil bound up with the oxide of iron
md alumina, or it may be with lime,
md the extent to which it may become
lseful to plants depends largely upon
he readiness with which it becomes
ivailable. With root crops phosphates
IRE indispensable, and owing to the
United power which these crops have
f utilizing the phosphoric acid in the
oil, the supply Of readily available
phosphate manure is of the highest
Potassium or Potash is in most soils
n abundance, though in more or less
form. In recent years farm
rs have learned that lime. or basic
Material such as soft phosphate helps
make potash available. The cultiva-
ion Of cover crops and blowing these
inder, as well as the use Of barnyaYd
manure, supplies humus and nitrogen