The Monroe journal., 1922-02-03
FIGHTING BOIL WEEVlL
WITH NITRATE OF SODA
Farmers Must Change Their Feltili-
ger Form-lGs or MIR. B. Weeyil
VIII Get the Cotton Crop
RN L. ]. W. Broom

bN L. j. W. bfooh
Farmers are going to have 10 change
their fertilizer formulas for cotton
under boil weevil conditions. In or
der to hasten maturity Of the bolls
Wa need to use a fertilizer with a
higher percentage of phosphoric acid
than we have been using as rule,
and We want the nitrogen in a form
that is quickly available. For best
results on the clay soils a fertilizer
analyzing 1882 is recommended Tor
cotton. On the sandy soils the phos-
phoric acid may be reduced to read
1882. Ii is the function OF phos-
phor.c acid 70 induce fruitage and
hasten maturity of the plant and the
opening of the bolis. If the nitrogen
is in a form quickly available the
plant will come into the frultlng stage
earlier. Potash gives healthineSs and
vigor TO the plant but in excessive
quantities has the effect of delaying
maturity and opening of the boliS. A
fertilizer containing per cent 20 ash
will be helpful TO cotton on most soils.
more than this under boil weevil con-
ditions will not be advantageous bat
may prove harmful by delaying the
opening Of The bolls.
By actual experiments in field tests
BY the n. {. Experiment Station it
is found that nitrogen in the form
of nitrate of soda applied at planting
time to cotton will make more cotton
and make il earlier than any other
form Of nitrogen. Earliness is the
important thing in fighting the wee
vii.
Farmers desiring to use nitrate of
soda for their nitrogen, to avoid
or dividing sacks, can mix
four sacks of l6 per cent acid pros
phate. one sack nitrate of soda and
one sack of kainit to make twelve
hundred pounds. This mixture will
anakze 10 2-3: 3:2, and will be fair
ly well balanced for the average
lands. Richer soils should have at
least II per cent phosphoric acid in
the fertilizer. VIII be glad to assist
farmers in making formulas for spe-
cal soils. Where farmers have cot
tonSeed meal ana desire to use II for
part of their nitrogen, and to avoid
or breaking sacks can mix
as follows: Six sacks l6 per cent
acid phosphate, four sacks cotton
seed meal. one sack nitrate soda, and
one sack 20 q manure salt to make
a ton. This will analalyze 9.S: 9.2: "a.
In this formula We are short of the
required amount, for best results, of
acid and little excess of
potash for the clay soils. However,
If cottonseed meal is to be used, it
will be very well balanced for the
sandy soils Of the county. We want
to emphasize the point that accord
ing TO all tests that have been made
more cotton can be made, and made
earlier, with nitrate of soda as the
source of nitrogen if applied at
planting time or before, and in any
case, not later than the first working,
than with any other source Of nitro
gen.
The county agent of Anson county
informs me that in test made in his
county with the various forms of nit
rogen as a fertilizer for cotton last
year that the plot receiving nitrate
of soda alone as the source of nitro
gen, made twenty per cent more cot
ton than any other plot, in spite of
the fact that one of the heaviest
rains that ever fell in that section
fell soon af,er the fertilizer was ap-
piled to the soil. This was on sandy
land too.
1t is our purpose to conduct some
tests this year with the various forms
OF nitrogen as fertilizer for cotton.