Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-29

for cotton, in many cases now spro-
duce so much weed and delay ma
turity to such an extent that ma
terial damage to the crop has been
effected by the boil weevil. In flu
ture the well-drained gravelly and
sandy soils will apparently find
much greater favor with our cotton
farmers in spite of the fact that they
stand relatively low in the scale OF
natural fertility.
In any event, 1T is clear that a
more adequate system of fertlllza-
ton is necessary to increase the
yields Of cotton to a desirable de-
gree, and that in place of the S-2-2
formulas so commonly applied, we
should use combinations of complete
fertilizers containing higher per-
centages Of all the essential ele-
ments of plant food. The formulas
should, Of course, be adjusted to the
particular soil type of which they
are to be used.
Naturally, we should expect to use
lime and organic matter to help the
fertilizers function properly. If we
do this, there is no reason why we
should not be able to raise bale
per acre on considerable part or
the land we now devote to cotton.
The thinner and poorer soils can
be built up by the institution of
crop rotations in which velvet beans,
cow peas, soy beans and other
legumes are utilized as purveyors
of nitrogen and humus. The choice
of good variety is another matter
Of primary Importance. We must
reduce the toll from disease, as
pointed out later on, and we must
fight the weevil with a will to win.
Fertilizing Truck Crops
J. F. S., Commerce, Ca,
writes: Please give me the best
fertilizer formula to use under
beans, Irish potatoes and onions.
A very good formula to use under
beans might be prepared as follows:
Mix together 1900 pounds of acid
phosphate containing 16 per cent
phosphoric acid, 800 pounds Of dried
blood containing per cent nitrogen,
and 400 pounds of muriate of pot
ash. This mixture will contain ap-
proximately 1914 per cent available
phosphoric acid, 10 per cent avail
able nitrogen, and 10 per cent pot
ash. It may be higher in the lat
ter element than is essential. Pos
sibly in your section of Georgia zoo
pounds Of muriate of potash would
answer. You could add 200 pounds
of rich earth to bring the total up
to 1000 pounds.
You may use any other carrier
Of nitrogen you may prefer in place
of the dried blood. For instance,
nitrate of soda will answer just as
well. It would increase the percent
age of available nitrogen slightly to
make the change indicated.
An excellent formula for pota-
toes and onions may be prepared by
mixing together 1900 pounds 16 per
cent acid phosphate, 600 pounds
dried blood, and 400 pounds high
grade sulphate Of potash. This for
mula would contain approximately
80 per cent available nitrogen, go
available phosphoric acid, and per
cent available potash. You may
substitute nitrate of soda or sui
phate of ammonia for the blood, and
YOU may use, if you prefer, GER
tain amount of cottonseed meal with
appropriate amounts of nitrate OF
soda and sulphate of ammonia. A
mixture of the three elements might
provide a better and more UNIFORM
" available heterogeneous ration than
the use of one carrier of this ele-
ment alone.
The first formula should be USED
under beans at minimum rate OF
800 pounds per acre. The last Two
mentioned formulas should be used
under Irish potatoes and onions at
the rate of 500 pounds and upward
per acre. We have found it good
practice to put half of this fertilizer
under the drill now before planting,
and use the remainder as side appli-
cations early in the growing sea-
son