The log cabin Democrat., 1920-07-27
REPORT DEF |LS
 FERTILIZER TEST l7 EXPERIMENT PATCHES County Agent Finds Stable Manure Productive, But Expensive
 Tests Valuable.


 and A. G. Armstrong at MartinvilIe under the supervision of County Agent T. NJ. Williams, showed diverse results when checked up on July 20 according to the reports given the l Log Cabin Democrat by Mr. Williams. The fourteenth test patch, treated with 7S0 pounds of fert llzer to the l acre, showed best results, with the l the twelfth patch, treated with 10 tons of manure to the acre, standing second. The third highest standing was reached by the fifth patch, which also had 10 tons of manure to the acre. For purposes of comparison, Mr. Will Hams prepared table showing the cost, and the relative percentage on each patch for both cotton and corn
 In arriving at percentage tables given in his report, Mr. Williams used a patch of the same size and not treated with either fertilizer or ma nure. Several patches of this kind were planted, and the best of the num- Der was granted 100 per cent and used as the standard of comparison for the tests. His detail table shows the results gained with the use of acid phosphate, murate of potash and potash used alone or in combination, the formulas being standard ones used in making fertilizers. One patch also was treated with lime, with good results.
 The final showing of the patches, of course, will not be determined un- til the yield per acre is figured and compared. Mir Williams present table of standing is based largely upon the appearance of the plants, which IS not a reliable indication of production. The IF patches will be checked over on September II at puDuc affair, when Mr. Williams and those assisting him in making the ex- periments will have the help of fer, tilizer experts sent here by the Uni yers.ty of Arkansas Mr. Williams will make up the program for the day later, and will give 1t announcement.
 His statement of the condition of the patches on July 20 is as follows Editor Log Cabin Democrat:
 The fertilizer test being conducted by Bob Martin and A. G. Armstrong at Martinville is attracting unusual attention in the county as we'll as ad- joining counties, judging from the letters of inquiry which have come to ths office.
 Test of this kind is the only accu- rate way to determine the kind and amount of commercial fertilizes you Iced for your farm.
 To be sure you may aralyze your soil, which will show kind and amount of plant food elements present, but does not tell you whether these ele- ments will dissolve in cold or warm water, whic hthey must do before plant growth can possibly use them. Acids and bases used in making an analysis will break down or dissolve elements which soil water will not. For instance an analysis may show plenty of potash to supply the de mands of fifty crops, still the addition of potash may pay, due to the fact that the potash is in such form that the soil water can not dissolve it.
 The land upon which these tests are conducted is creek bottom, sandy loam with the subsoI some ten feet below. Land was prepared by break ing, then discing and narrowing. Due to the continued rains, the test were not put out until May D.
 The test consist of one-tersth acre plots, both of cotton and corn, that is, one-tenth acre of each, five rows iE each plot 249 feet long,
 On July 20 plots were compared. using check plots, upon which no fer tIIlzer was used as basis and rank ing the best check plot at 100 per cent. Figures above and below this rating denote comparative showing on this date. For instance plot No. } showed l75 per cent good, which means that this plot was judged to be 75 per cent better than the check plot
 All fertilizer and cost figured on acre basis
 Plot No. l, check, no fertilizer used, cotton 90 per cent. corn 100 per cent
 Plot No. ?, 15 per cent nitrate of soda, 100 pounds per acre, cost s, cotton 100 per cent, corn 12O per cent
 Plot No. 8, acid phosphate, 100 pounds per acre, cost $1.35, cotton 1l5 per cent, corn 100 per cent.
 Plot Nc. 4 50 per cent murate of potash, 100 pounds per acre, cost $750, cotton 100 per cent, corn 80 per cent.
 Plot No. 5, manure, 10 tons per acre, cost $40, cotton 175 per cent, corn 14o per cent.
 Plot No. 6, check, cotton 90 per cent, corn 100 per cent.
 Plot No. 7, nitratc-soda 100 hounds