Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-28
FARM EDUCATION
BY DIR. ANDREW M. SOULE

Food Requirements of the Peanut
% Crop
HI. E. E., Monroe, Ga, writes:
What kind of fertilizer would
you recommend for peanuts?
Our soil is mostly red and mu-
latto.
The peanut should be literally
fortified with phosphoric acid and
potash. On thin land, it may be de-
sirable at times to use a small
amount of nitrogen. A good formula
for peanuts might contain 1 per
cent Of nitrogen, 10 per cent OF
phosphoric acid and from to per
cent of potash. Use this formula
at the rate of 800 pounds and up
ward per acre. Five hundred pounds
is probably about as large an
amount of fertilizer as should be
used under the peanut crop at this
time. On lands that are in a fairly
good state of fertilization, it is not
as a rule necessary to use nitrogen.
All land on which this crop is
grown should be lined. The pea
nut loves calcium, the element which
lime is supplied through and In
which our soils are rather remarka-
bly, deficient. If calcium is abun-
dainty supplied in the soil, it re-
duces the number of pops in thep
peanut crop. A pop of course is the
Shell which contains no nut. We
recommend the use of a minimum
DISCO pounds of crushed. raw, finely
ground, limestone rock per acre,
we believe a thousand pounds is
better. If you expect to establish
q Rotation system on your farm and
grow peanuts continuously, then we
recommend the application of a ton
of limestone rock per acre once in
three years. Crushed limestone
rock is the cheapest form in which
the element, calcium, can be sup,
piled to leguminous crops. Our
experience in the cultivation Of the
peanut has been quite extensive,
and. we feel sure that you will find
these recommendation helpful in
enabling you to produce good
yield OF peanuts per acre at a rea-
sonable outlay for commercial plant
food.
Cultivation. of Asparagus
;9R. L. B., Grovania, Ga,
writes: / wish advice on raising
asparagus for market. / am
thinking of planting seed to
make crowns for ten acres. Is
it late TO plant the seed? When
should the roots be set out?
Asparagus will succeed well on
any soil that is well-drained and
warms-up early in the spring. 1t
does best on rich soils and responds
to heavy fertilization with CONNER
cial 1nanures as we'll as yard ma
nures. Asparagus seed should be
soaked for twenty-four hours before
planting. Sow in drills two feet
apart and cover to a depth of two
inches. When the seed is germi-
mated and a good stand has been
obtained, thin out to three inches
apart and give shallow, frequent
cultivation. 1t is very important
to keep weeds and trash in check.
1.-The roots may be transplanted
either in the fall or in the spring
We have followed both plans, and
believe there is little to choose as
to the time of putting out the roots.
Roots developed from seed should
not. be tSansplanted until they are
two years old. When the cutting
season is over, spray the plants with
Bordeaux mixture to control rust
Some Paris green or arsenate of
lead. helps to kill the asparagu
beetle. An ounce of seed will plant
a. row fifty feet long; two pounds
will make enough roots to set an
acres When asparagus is intensive
ly' cultivated, highly fortified and
properly handled, it will prove
profitable crop.
1t is now getting rather late TO
pHS out the seed, though we think
you might risk it, if proper action
IS taken with reference to planting
The cost of buying sufficient seed
to plant ten acres of land will be
expensive. If you undertake to
purchase seed, buy of a reliable
scotsman and follow exact instruc.
tons as to seeding and handling
which they will furnish.
Suggestions Relative to Broom
Corn
S. G. O., Woodbury., Ga.
writes: I wish some information
r in. regard to growing broom
corn. How much seed should
be used per acre and how much
fertilizer? My barn has been in
tested with fleas for several
years. I have tried several
remedies but still have them. 4
- How can I get rid of them?
Broom corn will grow fairly we'll
on any land adapted to the cuItiva-
tioa of ordinary field corn. It should
be planted in three and one-half
foot rows. Do not seed until the
ground is warm enough to insure
rapid termination. Six pounds of
seed should be enough to p liant an
acre. Thin out to where the stalks
stand at least ten inches apart in
the drill row. Cultivate frequently
and shallow as you would for or
binary field corn. Use five hundred
n0Ilndq Z