Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-09
BY DIR. ANDREW M. SOULE

potash should be used, especially
for cototn.
Potash aids IN the formation OF
the starch and woody materials of
plants, giving sturdiness of stalk
and we'll developed branches. 1t is
an especially important fertilizer
constituent for all fruit and truck
crops. 1t accumulates chiefly in the
leaves and stems of plants, and is
largely returned to the soil where
plant residues are not removed.
Weak spindling plants, with rust
ing leaves, indicate a need of pot
ash.
The use of lime. In the table Civ
ing the analyses of the various soils,
figures are given showing the
amount of calcium oxide Qime) they
contain. 1t has been explained that
this lime is not really present as
calcium oxide, but in complex COM
pounds known as silicates, which
are insoluble and unavailable. 1t oft.
en- happens that a soil analysis will
show considerable total calcium
oxide, when in reality the soil is
in need of lime. The active form
of lime in the soil is limestone, or
calcium carbonate, and it is highly
desirable that the soil should con.
tain it in this form. Limestone, how
ever, is more soluble in the soil
water than the other minerals, and
it has, therefore, all been leached
out of many of our soils or changed
chemically into refractory COM
pound thus leaving the soil acid
n hi -t,~cl
dition, and may be corrected by the
application of lime. The amounts of
limestone required to correct the
acidity of the different soils is Civ:
en- along with the analytical data
and soils that show very high acid
ity would be benefited by its use.
1t is essential to success with such
crops as alfalfa and clover, and
other iegumes will usually give prof
liable returns from lime as they
can perform their functions of fix
ing the nitrogen of the air more
readily when the soil is we'll pro-
vided with lime. In this way it will
directly benefit other crops that fol-
low by giving them a greater sup-
ply of nitrogen. Lime also eXerts a
beneficial effect on the soil itself
Sandy soils are made less open and
leachy, and heavy clay soils are
rendered less compact and sticky.
and are thus improved in filth, and
a better circulation of air and water
is effected. In this way it probably
aids in making some Of the insoluble
plant food in the soil available to
crops.
Rotation and soil building. A sys-
tenn of permanent agriculture must
be based upon a systematic rota-
ton of crops. The rotation should
be so planned that clearly cultivat
ed crops, such as cotton, may be
followed by some crop leaving con.
siderable litter or stubble on ths
ground; and that crops drawing
heavily upon some element of plant
food, as, say nitrogen, may be fol
lowed by a crop requiring less nj
tfogen. or legume which will get
part Of its nitrogen from the at
mosphere.
The presence OF the boil weevil
has forced the farmer to give more
attention to rotation and diversified
ton, and the peanut is becoming
Ill All pOi lollL IlIOHSy crop IN the
coastal plain section of the state.
Any suggested rotation should in
clude this crop, as it takes the place
OF cotton as money crop, and at
the same time aids in starving out
the weevil. While the peanut is a
legume, it will not benefit the soil
where the entire crop is removed,
being even harder on the land
than cotton, since no residue is left
on the ground. It is a poor prac-
tlce, therefore, to follow small
grain with peanuts as money crop
There is an advantage to the soil,
however, when the crop is left on
the land to be grazed off.
The following is a good rotation
for Pierce county:
First year: Corn with velvet beans
and North Carolina peanuts (for
grazing).
Second year: Cotton or Spanish
peanuts money crop.
Third year: Small grain followed
by coWpeas for hay, or to be turn,
ed under for green manure.
GrOwiur f,shhora DIou+. =,