Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-05-30

ground rock phosphate, "a to 81 per
cent; basic Stag CThomas phosphatel,
| II to &c per cent; bone meal, ~ TO
| % per cent.
Potash
This is most directly effec-
tive in developing the fruit and
also adds to the vigor of the plants.
1t is abundant in the clay lands OF
north Georgia, but deficient in the
Coastal Plain soils. The most I'M
portant sources are:
KANT, 1920 per cent; muriate OF
potash, so per cent; sulphate of pot
ash, $3.50 per cent.
1t should be understood that all
the fertilizing contents of the above
named materials are not readily
available for the use of the liant.
The value of each is determined by
the amount of available plant food.
No definite rule for the selec-
ton of a formula for the different
crops can be given. This is a prob
lem that must be settled by the III
dividual farmer on his own soil.
The following formulas which gave
the best results in the experiments
with cotton are given. The nitrogen
in the different soils will vary, OF
course, as the supply is built up and
maintained. For northeast Geor-
gia, 1920 to 1880. (The three
figures in the formula denote the
percentages of phosphoric acid and
nitrogen and potash respectively
For the red clay lands of the Pied
mont, a 1920 to 1882. For the
sandy lands of the Piedmont, a
1922 to 1888, and for other soils
of the Coastal Plains, a 9-2-3 to
9-3-5.
The wise and judicious use of
commercial fertilizers will only come
about through a close study of the
soils and the requirements of the
crops grown. They have played and
will continue to play great part
in the farm economy of this state.
Their full value, however, cannot
be obtained by their exclusive use
A much greater value can be OBJ
tanned from them when used wisely
in connection with manure and
green crops.
The Growth of Sweet Potato Plants.
The first question that naturally
comes to ones mind is choosing the
variety, and that is a matter of
many considerations. For canning
purposes the Dooley is probably the
best because of it's firm texture. If
one desires to produce an early po-
tato, the Triumph makes a good
yield by midsummer in this state.
However, there is some objection
an
or; yellow being the favorite in the
south. The Nancy Hall is very
popular in some sections of the
south and is good, moderately
early producer, but is Objectionable
on account of it's extreme suscepti-
bility to disease. All of these va
rieties mentioned may be grown to
meet some peculiar conditions, but
the one with more qualities to be
recommended into the southern
grower at present is the Porto
Rican. If forced, It can be produced
as early as any and it is a strong,
vigorous grower and heavy yielder
and is especially resistent to dis
case. Fully rs per cent of the sweet
potatoes raised in the south are of
this variety. 'fss 'r tt' -'-
Too much emphasis cannot be laid
on obtaining good seed. They should
lie as free Of disease as possible 20
detect with the eye, and of mod
crate size. Do not use small strings,
but select medium sized ones that
tend to be round instead of run
ming to length.
If getting the potatoes on the
ic nhinntiUn
hot bed must be used; otherwise, a
cold frame will suffice. A simple
form of hot bed can be made by
making frame Of one inch by
twelve-inch boards the width and
length desired for the bed. One
three feet wide is very convenient
for pulling the draws and in bedding
the sweet potatoes, but If standard
sash are used, the bed should be
about five feet and ten inches in
width and any multiple of three in
length. The upper side should be
twelve inches above the ground and
the lower side six inches, the slope
being toward the east or southeast.
A depth of one foot is sufficient.
Fresh stable manure furnishes the
most accessible form Of heat. Place
at least six inches of sandy loan
soil on top of the manure. Then let
this settle until the manure has
cooled off sufficiently. If this does
not occur quickly, the bed should be
watered. If earliness is no object,
leave out the manure and just use
the glass, which will warm the bed
up to a certain extent.
When the bed has attained the
proper temperature, place the pota-
toes, MASKING them into the soft
earth, Be careful and do not permit
them to touch, as That will increase
the spread of disease. AT least one
half inch should be left between
potatoes. Cover with five to six
inches of rich, sandy loan. 1t is
good idea to use some fertilizer. Top
dress with Il mixture of acid phos-
phate and cottonseed meal in pro-
portion of two to one. When
drawing has been made, the bed
should be fortified again.
Some of the most important dis
eases are black-to, stem-wilt, soil
stain Tor scurf), damping off, soft-rot,
and slime molds. All of these are
fungus diseases that are propagated
by spores or other means. Plenty
of sunlight and air and through dis
injecting will prevent most of these
troubles. Most of them are soil Or